Over the past decade, an increasing number of Americans have begun following their favorite soccer teams as popularity for the game continues to grow. Whether it be a club team located in one of the big cities across the U.S. or in Europe, fans of all ages here in the U.S. have chosen to dedicate their fanship to a professional soccer team.
One such avid soccer fan who resides right at Harding is fifth-year senior Tyler Slawter. Slawter hails from Joplin, Missouri, where he grew up playing soccer until college. But his interest in soccer continued once he came to Harding. Slawter quickly became one of the Harding soccer program’s most dedicated fans, so much so that he never missed a home match for both the men’s and women’s teams from his freshman year through his fourth year of college.
“I began supporting Harding soccer because my passion derived from playing my whole life,” Slawter said.
He also attributes his commitment to watching the soccer programs play because he enjoyed the competitiveness between the players. A true, dedicated fan, Slawter has spent four years sacrificing academics and enduring Arkansas weather conditions for not only one soccer team, but both the men’s and women’s teams.
Unfortunately, Slawter has been unable to go to all home games this semester due to his job, but Slawter still keeps up with the success of both teams. Specifically, the men’s program has had an unprecedented season in Harding soccer history. The men’s team has never had a winning record since their inception in 2000, but this year the team has an outstanding record of 12-3.
“I believe a lot of Harding’s success this year has come due to discipline and teamwork,” Slawter said. “It seems like the Harding (men’s) soccer team in the past few years has had the talent to be this good, but was just missing something. The new coach knows how to make the team mesh well.”
Coach Jon Ireland, who was a player on the first men’s team at Harding, certainly has done something magical in his first year, turning around a squad which finished the 2015 season with a record of 4-12-2.
Senior defender Phillip White said the team’s emphasis on fitness and high pressure defense is one of the main reasons the team has experienced success. White also looks forward to the future growth of soccer in U.S.
“It’s amazing to see the support of friends who, regardless of whether or not they play soccer, cheer on the national team in the World Cup,” White said.
The beautiful game of soccer is here and more importantly, here to stay. Not only are there exciting times ahead for soccer in the U.S., but right here at Harding University. Let’s tip our caps to the men’s team for a wonderful season so far, and continue to loyally support both the men’s and women’s programs as Tyler did. Both the men’s and women’s teams have a few more matches before ending the regular season and continuing on into the conference tournament.
