Written by Amanda Toye
Buff the Bison is the beloved Harding mascot. Known for being at all football games, pep rallies, large campus events and various other sporting events, Buff brings energy and enthusiasm to the Harding crowd. However, this semester, Buff the Bison has been absent from all games and events.
Student Government Association Vice President Reed Wilson shared her opinions on Buff the Bison being absent in the Harding sphere.
“We did the Illumination on Buff where he came on stage, and we talked a little bit about all the things that he does,” Wilson said. “Through that experience, I learned a lot about what he does. I already had an idea of what he did, but being able to communicate with him and really hear about what he did, it was pretty astounding to me how many responsibilities he really had. Buff is historically a student. Whether Buff is a student or whether Buff is not a student, it’s a really big time commitment. I think what has happened is we are in-between Buffs.”
Some people have been quicker to notice Buff’s absence than others.
“I think that it’s definitely noticeable when you’re somewhere like a basketball game and Buff is not there. I also have seen Buff interact with a lot of children,” Wilson said. “I think that is a big demographic that loves seeing Buff. It’s important to remember that Harding events, whether it’s sporting events or just social events, are for Harding alum and their families as well as the Searcy community.”
Wilson went on to explain how being Buff is a huge time commitment. Fulfilling these commitments while being a student is not only difficult, but also, for a lot of people, unrealistic.
Freshman Callie Reeves shared how she views the absence of Buff the Bison.
“I think that it’s just really sad because Buff the Bison is a staple of Harding culture, and he brings joy to people,” Reeves said.
Sophomore Adrian Galyean has also noticed the absence of Buff and said he was disappointed in not seeing Harding’s mascot at more events.
“Bring back Buff,” Galyean said. “I think that a mascot is such a good sign of school spirit and a great way to let students celebrate their love for their school. I think that Harding should be looking to hire a new mascot as soon as possible.”
