Written by Nic Fraraccio // Photo by Jeff Montgomery
A Harding alumnus will be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame April 19 for his talent and contributions to the game of basketball.
Levester “Butch” Gardner was a member of the Harding men’s basketball team from 1973-1977. During his time at Harding, Gardner earned Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference first team honors in four straight seasons and earned National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes All-American honors in his last three seasons.
With a scoring average of 21.1 points per game, Gardner holds the Harding career scoring record with a total of 2,255 points. Gardner’s No. 20 jersey is retired and hangs from the rafters of the Rhodes-Reaves Field House. Gardner was a part of the first induction class in 1989 for the Harding Sports Hall of Fame.
The induction came as a surprise for Gardner and members of the Harding community. Gardner said he found out about his induction after a board member called him.
“I actually was both surprised and excited,” Gardner said. “I knew that there [were] some efforts to get my name on the ballot and try to get me elected this time around.”
The Searcy native’s basketball success began before his career as a Harding Bison. Gardner played high school basketball for the Searcy Lions. Under head coach Birdie Rogers, Gardner excelled on the court despite a late growth spurt during his junior and senior years.
Gardner’s numbers continued to climb during his career as a Lion, averaging a double-double during his junior and senior seasons. His success did not go unnoticed, and Coach Rogers was aware of it. Rogers once said he would “not trade Butch for any other player in the state.”
Due to his accomplished career as a Lion, Gardner was honored at a Searcy High School basketball game Feb. 16 with a banner that will hang in the school’s arena.
Despite gaining attention from Division I basketball programs, Gardner’s college commitment narrowed down to two schools: Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University.
The night before signing day, Harding Hall of Fame head coach Jess Bucy made one last push to recruit Gardner. Bucy talked with Gardner in his living room past midnight trying to convince the star to join the Bisons.
Gardner said Coach Bucy served as a great leader, mentor and developer of men during his time as Harding’s head coach.
“Coach Bucy was not only a really good coach, he was also a really great person,” Gardner said. “He has always been a great friend, and I learned so much about the game from him.”
Following the conversation, Gardner would join the Bisons, creating a historic partnership with Bucy and his teammates. Bucy said Gardner is one of the best athletes he recruited during his head coaching career.
“He was already an excellent basketball player, but he could play any sport that he wanted to learn how to play,” Bucy said.
Gardner said his choice to join the Bisons was a decision that positively impacted his life as a player and as a man.
“It was a great decision,” Gardner said. “I had a great career, met a bunch of my lifelong friends and met my wife. It was a great decision, and I have no regrets.”
The success and positivity from Gardner has continued to shine a light on the Harding community during his time as a player and faculty member.
Harding Athletic Director Jeff Morgan grew up watching Gardner play with his older brother, Jerry Morgan. Jeff Morgan said it was a special opportunity to watch Butch play during his times of “pure childhood.”
“Just growing up as a little kid and sitting on the front row to watch was always incredible,” Morgan said. “For me, before there was Michael Jordan, there was Butch.”
Bucy said his friendship with Gardner has continued following his illustrious career as a Bison.
“I consider myself very fortunate to not only have him as a player but also as a really good friend,” Bucy said.
Gardner will not be the first Bison to earn the prestigious honor of joining the hall. The basketball star will join Bernie Cox, Ted Lloyd, John Prock and Preacher Roe as the only members of the Harding athletic program to be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Gardner said he is honored and privileged to join a special group of coaches and athletes.
“It is such a tremendous honor, and it is a very elite group that will live on forever,” Gardner said.
The induction banquet will take place April 19 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the event can be purchased at arksportshalloffame.com.
As the induction approaches, Gardner said he is thankful for the support he has received throughout the years as a Harding player and Searcy resident.
“I always enjoyed performing for them, and the Harding community is second to none,” Gardner said. “I would not trade it for anything.”
