For almost 25 years, Harding’s athletics department has been lacking one thing: a women’s softball team. Although Harding boasted a winning softball program in the 1980s, it unfortunately had to be terminated after other schools in the conference dropped their programs.
Beginning in the fall of 2013 however, Harding is re-creating the program under the guidance of athletics director Greg Harnden and head coach Phil Berry, in hopes of establishing it as a powerhouse in the Great American Conference.
“The opportunity to return to my alma mater and integrate faith, learning and living through our softball experiences is a special one,” Phil Berry said. “We have already had tremendous interest from students on campus and from prospective future students who want to be a part of our program and begin ‘laying the foundation’ for softball. Starting from scratch will be very exciting for all involved.”
Phil Berry’s daughter, freshman Stephanie Berry, is hoping to pitch for the Lady Bisons.
“It definitely made Harding more attractive to me when I was deciding between schools,” Stephanie Berry said. “I’m hoping we’ll just have a successful first year with good building blocks to go off of.”
With her dad coaching, Stephanie Berry said she is excited to have her family nearby.
“People make jokes about it, but I’m really happy that he has his dream job,” Stephanie Berry said.
In anticipation of the addition of a softball team, Harding is building a field where the Lady Bisons can practice and compete. Located close to the baseball stadium and tennis complex, this new stadium will be easily accessible for students who want to come out and watch all the action unfold on game days.
“I think adding the program is great,” sophomore Tyler Curtis said. “I’ve heard of girls not coming to Harding because they really wanted to continue playing softball in college. This will be a great way to bring people to Harding.”
On Sept. 4, Harding held preliminary tryouts for the team. Approximately 30 current students turned up at the intramural fields to showcase their skills and try for a position on the team. Phil Berry pulled aside about 12 girls after this tryout that he spoke with about continuing on in the process.
He said if that had been the final tryout, they would be the 12 on the team. However, nothing is definite at this point.
Sophomore Kinsey Beck, a high school state-champion from Alabama, was one of those 12 pulled aside.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for Harding to start a program like this,” Beck said. “I think it will give me a good chance to finally accomplish what I have worked toward since I was five years old, playing college ball.”
