Written by Emily Stinnett // Photo by Madison Meyer
Buff the Bison returned to First Security Stadium on Sept. 10 during the first football game of the season against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Buff said he is honored to be Harding’s mascot and is thrilled to show off his new look. Buff stands 7-feet tall and now sports his new football uniform. He has been Harding’s mascot for as long as he can remember.
Buff brings an enthusiastic attitude everywhere he goes, but especially to football games. Sophomore Jhalen Spicer, running back for the football team, said Buff is a great addition to the sidelines.
“He brings a lot of energy and brings a lot of hype to the football team,” Spicer said.
Buff’s constant positivity and friendliness make a positive impact on the team. Yet his influence is not limited to the athletes on the field.
Buff is a huge fan of the cheerleading team and has a ton of school spirit to share with
them. Junior cheerleader Hartley Carroll said the cheer team loves Buff’s support. He makes the effort to roam around the home section at games and greet the Bison fans with high fives and fist bumps.
“It’s cool to see Buff make a point to interact with all the kids,” Carroll said. “He represents Harding well.”
Buff the Bison has seen so much change and growth at Harding over the years as a mascot. He is excited to represent Harding for another football season as an accent to the enthusiasm that the crowd already brings to games. He said Harding Sports is like icing on the grass cake to the community Harding has built. Though Buff misses his roots on the prairies, he is content to call Harding his home. He is reminded of home when he grazes the grass at First Security Stadium but also enjoys eating the entire salad bar at the Range Dining Hall for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Buff said he wouldn’t be standing where he is today, on all four hooves, without the bovine that has gone before him. He is thankful for the Harding Football team inviting him into their brotherhood.
“I can’t describe the feeling of leading the walk of the brothers, wind blowing through my fur and my brothers at my sides,” Buff said. “It’s humbling every time.”
Buff the Bison is an avid reader of The Bison and encourages the rest of the Harding herd students to do the same.
