Harding University Athletics - Preseason Props: Blanchard Named Preseason All-America

Harding University Athletics - Preseason Props: Blanchard Named Preseason All-America

Harding University Athletics - Harding Football Adds Cullins, Symons to Coaching Staff

Harding University Athletics - Harding Football Adds Cullins, Symons to Coaching Staff

Harding University Athletics - Stallings Earns J.D. Jones Scholarship

Harding University Athletics - Stallings Earns J.D. Jones Scholarship

Harding University Athletics - Fab Five: Harding Places Five on GSC All-Decade Team

Harding University Athletics - Fab Five: Harding Places Five on GSC All-Decade Team

Harding University Athletics - Harding to Join Eight Other Schools in Forming New Conference

Harding University Athletics - Harding to Join Eight Other Schools in Forming New Conference

Manute Bol's Radical Christianity

A great article about a fool for Christ.

Senior Camp

Last week we hosted our third annual Senior Camp. It was by far our largest camp to date. A total of 140 student-athletes from eight states (Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, Nebraska and South Carolina) honored us with their presence. We were able to learn a lot more about quite a few young men we were already recruiting. Furthermore, our hope was also that these young men and their families would walk away with a much better understanding of who we are and what we're about. It was a blessed time, and we hope and pray we get the opportunity to coach quite a few of these young men in the years to come.

Special Olympics

Need some $$$?

SPECIAL OLYMPICS needs some help this weekend (May 21-22). This would include picking up trash, moving tables/chairs, running errands, etc. If you would like to work, contact Kaye Morgan at 501.279.4009. Also, we need some guys to “volunteer” to work the flag football competition during Special Olympics. So, if you are going to work for pay, please also be willing to volunteer for an hour or two for the flag football. If you just want to do the football competition only, that is fine, too. Contact Coach Beason at 501.279.4061.

Thanks!

Message from Coach Beason

Bisons,

Hope you are doing well on your finals. This is just a reminder (for those of you who keep calendars) that we are having our 7 on 7 camp June 11-12 (Friday afternoon & evening, and Saturday morning). We will need many officials for that. We will have a meeting the night before it starts (Thursday the 10th) to discuss the camp. Please let me know if you would like to work the camp as an official. We will also need a few guys to stay overnight in the dorms as a guy in charge of a wing or floor. We pay good, feed you Friday night, feed you Saturday morning, and possibly Saturday at lunch, plus a t-shirt, Gatorade, suntan, lots of cute girls watching, etc. Let me know if you want to work!

Coach Beason

Dinner @ Coach Huck's

Dinner tomorrow night at Coach Huck's house at 6:30. Come late of you want . . . it will just mean more for those of us who care enough to be on time!!!

Team Meeting

Team meeting today at 3:30. Be early.

Combine Results - Bench Press

John Ikahihifo, DL - 315 x 21
Tyler O'Quin, WR - 275 x 11
L.J. Tarrant, OL - 275 x 8
Mark Gutierrez, DL - 225 x 36
Kennard Henderson, LB - 225 x 25
Wayne Lauderdale, LB - 225 x 22
Marquale Pierson, DB - 225 x 18
Jermaine Blanchard, DE - 225 x 17
Jasper Bodiford, DB - 225 x 16
Adin Menkin, K - 225 x 11
Micah Canterbury, K/P - 225 x 8

Combine Results - 40 Yard Dash

Kurt Adams, WR - 4.36
Jeremy Holt, RB - 4.40
Eddie Russ, DB - 4.40
Jordan Watson, WR - 4.41
Philip Mion, DB - 4.43
Jasper Bodiford, DB - 4.47
Dre Whittle, RB - 4.47
Dempsey Bonner, DB - 4.49
Jermaine Blanchard, DE - 4.50
Terrence Davis, DB - 4.53
Kennard Henderson, LB - 4.56
Kelvin Martin, QB - 4.56
Braden Rubey, DB - 4.59
Russ Jenkins, LB - 4.59
Alex Finley, WR - 4.65
Steve Hudson, DB - 4.66
Kale Gelles, RB - 4.68
Kyle Young, RB - 4.68
James Feher, DB - 4.69
Bo Woods, RB - 4.69
Marquale Pierson, DB - 4.69
Ishmael Siryon, DB - 4.78

Updates

1. Trevor Hunt is having surgery tomorrow morning in Nashville (shoulder). Keep him in your prayers. Also, pray for Luke Tribble to get healthy.

2. Last day to drop a class is THIS FRIDAY (16th). See Coach Huck if you have any questions or know you need to do this.

3. We have18 guys going to Riverview this Thursday. Thanks to Kyle Reeves, Sando, Bo, Aaron G, Jeremy Price, Smithey, Cordell, Jason T, Caleb, Marquale, J Watson, Dre, Chaz, Adin, Rubey, Kurt, J Holt, and Hayden Ponder for being willing to do this.

4. Next Wednesday is the School-Wide "Bisons For Christ." We want EVERYONE involved on this day. The whole school will be involved doing various projects. The school class schedule will be different that day (pay attention in chapel). So far, Dempsey, Tanner D, T.O., Vivio, Sammy, Beach, Mion, Feher, Ryan B, Ragsdale, Coach Hall, Coach Beason, Jermaine, Jasper, and Hayden Ponder are going to CAMP TAHKODAH. We would love for some more guys to go. It will be great to do a little work in then jump in the cool creek. Let me know if you want to go.

5. Get any treatment on any soreness of your hamstrings this next week. Stay healthy! Don't do much physically outside of football for the next week. Rest and recover between workouts.

Message from Coach Beason

Bisons,

On Thursday at 1:20pm, we need 6 guys (or more) to go to Riverview High School (in Searcy) to interact with their 8th and 9th grade football players. If you do not have a 1pm class on Thursday, please plan on going to this. It will only take about 5 minutes to get there and you will spend about 30-40 minutes there. Please let me know if you can go. The coaches are former Bisons, and the players would benefit a lot from being around college athletes. Thanks!

Also, for the Bison Combine next Monday, there will be about 20 guys or so test in the 40 yard dash Monday night. Everyone else will test in the 40 yard MONDAY AFTERNOON. There will be 12 or so players test in Bench Press Monday night, too. The remaining players will test in the bench press and everyone in the hang clean on Tuesday afternoon.

Tomorrow, make sure to get your BACK workout in on your own. Groups 1 and 3 should be in the weight room by 2:15pm if you want to lift before your speed work, or you must lift right after the speed work (this option is best). Group 2 must be in the wieght room by 3:15pm or lift right after the speed work (this option is best). Stay healthy!

Message from Coach Beason

Bisons,

On Wednesday, April 21, Harding University is having its annual "Bisons for Christ" Day of Service. This is a great day to help all kinds of people in and around the Searcy community. We want ALL OF OUR PLAYERS involved on this day. Most of you will be helping with a Kid Football Camp at our stadium (like we have done for the past few years). I need a handful of guys to go with me to Camp Tahkodah to do some work up there. As you know, Camp Tahkodah is a beautiful place. It is big, and there is always work to be done. Please let me know if you would be interested in going with me to Camp Tahkodah, so I can let them know about how many people we will have. That will help them plan what we can accomplish that day.

Thanks! Coach Beason

Monday

Group A will lift at 3:15, and group B at 3:15. Tomorrow will be speed work with groups going at the same time.

Wednesday

We will LIFT (shoulders) today and do our speed work tomorrow. So, Groups 2 and 3B are in the weight room today at 3:15pm. Groups 1 and 3A are in the weight room at 4:15pm. Spread the word, especially to group 3 (O-Line).

On Thursday, Groups 2 and 3 will be on the field at 3:15pm, and Group 1 will be on the field at 4:15pm.

Quote of the Day

“Courage is found in unlikely places.”

-- J.R.R. Tolkien

Tuesday

Tuesday - Groups 2 and 3A & 3B on the field at 3:15pm. If you lift before that, you must be in the weight room by 2:15pm in order to be out of the weight room by 2:45pm. If you can't make it in there by 2:15pm, then lift AFTER the outside work.

Group 1 is on the field at 4:15pm. If you lift before that, you must be in the weight room by 3:15pm in order to be out of the weight room by 3:45pm. If you can't make it in there by 3:15pm, then lift AFTER the outside work.

Quote of the Day

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony."

-- Thomas Merton

Reporting Day

Reporting Day for Bison Football is Wednesday, August 11.

Info

Group 2 will be going first this week at 3:15, and Group 2 will be going second at 4:15. Today we'll be in the weight room, and tomorrow we'll be on the field for speed work. Wednesday we will play by ear due to the threat of rain. We're scheduled to be on the field for more speed work, but we may have to flip-flop Wednesday and Thursday's schedule.

Other key dates:
Monday, April 19 - combine
Tuesday, April 20 - bench and clean test
Wednesday, April 21 - Bisons for Christ
Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 - camp out/canoe trip
Wednesday, August 11 - reporting day

Quote of the Day

"I do not pray for success; I ask for faithfulness."

-- Mother Teresa

Spring Practice & Beyond

The Bisons concluded spring practice with a scrimmage Friday night. It was a very successful and productive spring for us. Now we must build on this progress as we continue to work this spring on our strength and speed.

Today, we will have lifting sessions for groups 1 and 3A at 3:15, and groups 2 and 3B at 4:15. Don't be late.

Spring Break

Anytime you travel you run the risk of being at the mercy of things that are out of your control, namely the weather. On the way back from our spring break mission trip we ran into some weather problems. Rain inundated the entire east coast, and flights all over the US were subsequently delayed and cancelled. We spent Saturday night at LaGuardia Airport, which was an event I will never forget. We slept in the airport on cots. They weren't very comfortable, and the blankets were scratchy, and the pillows were less than desirable, but at that point, I was thankful for them. The best part of the whole experience was the way our guys responded. Everybody was ready to get home, but nobody pouted or complained. They made the best of it, and we eventually made it back.

Quote of the Day

“Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.”

-- Samuel Johnson

Spring Break

We were able to get a lot of work done on the ranch during the day while the boys were in school. We had crews doing demo, landscaping, fencing and new construction. Our guys worked hard all week long, and we were able to help the ranch tremendously. Some of our guys were skilled and experienced, and some were green. Regardless, all worked hard. One of the best compliments of the week was by one of the ranch's managers who is in charge of construction, and is also a retired contractor: "All of the guys are willing. They may not be able, but they're all ready and willing to do all they can, which says a lot about the type of young men they are."

Quote of the Day

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

-- Leo Tolstoy

Spring Break

A great part of the trip for us was getting to spend time with the boys who live at the ranch. The way our guys stepped up and tried their best to form relationships with the boys was downright inspiring. The neatest thing was to watch the relationships grow daily. By the end of the week, there were new found friendships that will hopefully last for years to come, and even through eternity. Thanks to the boys from the ranch for welcoming us with open arms, and thanks to our guys for their willingness to be there for the boys.

Quote of the Day

"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right, then, have it your way.'"

-- C. S. Lewis

Spring Break

One of the highlights of the week was when our guys got up and publicly shared a devotional thought. Terone Shephard started us off with a great sermon at our Sunday morning worship service. Eddie Russ spoke Monday night, followed later in the week by Luke Tribble and Josh Aldridge. All four guys spoke from the heart with great transparency. They shared things that were very personal, and even painful, which allowed the boys at the ranch to see them, and all of us as real.

Opportunity

As you know, Coach Perry is moving from Searcy to Nashville, AR. He needs about 4 players, who want to earn some money, to help him load their furniture and appliances into the moving van next Tuesday, March 23. If anyone is interested, you can get in touch with Coach Perry at 501-551-3954 cell. He says he will work around your schedule, but most of the work would be in the morning.

True Happiness

A great message from www.allprodad.com:

In 1923, eight of the world's most successful business leaders met at a hotel in Chicago. Among them was the president of the largest independent steel corporation, the CEO of the largest gas company and the president of the New York Stock Exchange. Quite an impressive crowd. Now fast-forward 25 years. By then, three of the men had committed suicide, two others died broke, two more had spent time in prison, and the last went insane. Looking at the characteristics these men shared, money and power, far from bringing happiness, was the catalyst for disaster.

Quote of the Day

"The most important word in our language is love. The second is balance."

-- Coach John Wooden

Loyalty

Legendary Coach John Wooden epitomizes loyalty. Watch this video on Coach Wooden to be inspired.

Quote of the Day

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."

-- Mother Teresa

Update

Sorry for not updating last week. I went with the group of guys on the spring break mission trip, and we stayed so busy that I didn't see a computer all week, which isn't entirely a bad thing. I'll give a more detailed update on the spring break trip later, but in short, it was an amazing experience. I am very proud of our guys. God worked through us and on us, and I think we honored Him, too.

We'll resume with spring practice today. It will be good to get back on the field.

Quote of the Day

"Don't permit fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all."

-- Coach John Wooden

Tuesday

DEFENSE will start their meetings at 3:10pm.

OFFENSE will start their meetings at 3:15pm.

Come to the meetings dressed for practice. Let's have another great day.

Quote of the Day

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

Matthew 12:41-44

Today's Schedule

Offense in the weight room at 3:15pm. Defense/Specialty guys are in meetings at 3:15pm unless your coach told you a different time. Come dressed for practice to the meetings. Defense will lift after practice today.

Message from Coach Beason

Bisons,

First of all, I felt like we tested as good as we could have for where we were in our training last week. So, good job! Are we "there" yet? No way!

I felt it important to explain to you something about the bench press testing. Please don't let this sound like an excuse for you, but it is a valid piece of information. I just want to help educate you a little more. Several of you felt like you did not test as well as you would have liked. Let me give you a few reminders:

1. We don't want to be our strongest in February. We don't play until August. Our focus on the first part of this off-season was NOT on strength. It was on Hypertrophy (this means gaining muscle mass). I feel like we have been successful in getting most of you guys "set-up" to now get stronger. Our sets, reps, and rest intervals have been set up to gain muscle mass. Now that we have the muscle bigger, we will get it stronger. Doesn't it make sense that a bigger muscle has the potential to get stronger than a smaller muscle? Besides one week, our first 6 weeks were sets of 6 reps or more using dumbbells.

2. We will do a lot more BAR bench press for the next few weeks of workouts. That is how you get better at the bench press.....by bench pressing with a bar. The dumbbells are great for helping to maximize flexibility and to gain muscle mass. That is why we have used those so much.

3. We have 3 weeks of spring ball practices plus another 3 weeks to work on speed work and strength after spring ball. It would be IN YOUR BEST INTEREST NOT TO LIFT VERY MUCH (IF ANY) OVER SPRING BREAK. Your body has got to take a break if you want it to make big gains. Some of you, no doubt, know how to work your tails off. Now you need to couple that with working smart. I have seen several guys over the past few weeks doing chest work on our non-chest workout days. Your body will not make as big of a gain without being able to recover between workouts.

4. Obviously, rest and nutrition have a huge impact on your strength and conditioning. Take these areas very seriously.

5. Finally, when you test, make sure that you have a "successful" test at a weight you know you will get before moving on to a higher weight. Some of you wore yourselves out because you started too heavy and did not warm-up to the weight you tried to test at. You don't go out and time a 40 yard dash by just stretching your hamstrings, so don't ask your pecs to be at their peak by just doing a set or two to "warm-up."

Overall, I think the first phase of the off-season was very successful in what we wanted to accomplish. Let's be great during spring ball and then end the semester faster and stronger than when we started it!!! Go BISONS!

Message from Coach Beason

Bisons,

Several guys have asked about helping the family I mentioned yesterday. I know that was short notice, but we still had a good group out there to help (including 7 baseball players). Anyway, this is still short notice (but a little more notice). A group of us are going back to their house tomorrow (Saturday) morning. We are meeting at STAPLES at 8:45am. It only takes about 10 minutes to get to the house. You can stay for 30 minutes or you can stay for a couple of hours. Any help would be appreciated. Just wear clothes you can paint in, work outside in, blow insulation in, etc. You don't have to be a "handy man" to help. We need man power!! Thanks!

Quote of the Day

“Faith is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted in spite of your changing moods."

-- C.S. Lewis


Perhaps this video says it even better.

Quote of the Day

"I am not discouraged because every failed attempt discarded is another step forward."

-- Thomas Edison in response to how he felt about failing to invent the light bulb over 10,000 times

Quote of the Day

“Poise is not being thrown off stride in how you behave or what you believe because of outside events. Just be yourself.”

-- Coach John Wooden

Quote of the Day

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

-- Colin Powell


Here is a video to emphasize the point ot today's quote.

Quote of the Day

Habakkuk 3:17, 18

"Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." --NASB

"Though the cherry trees don't blossom, and the strawberries don't ripen; Though the apples are worm-eaten, and the wheat fields stunted; Though the sheep pens are sheepless, and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God." --The Message

Even when times are tough, I will praise God.

Wednesday

On the field at 3:15. Let's win today.