The Return of the Rhodes Rowdies

Today at Harding we had our first nationally televised basketball game. Over 28 million homes were able to view the game, however I doubt that we had that many tune in. This game historically has been one that has contributed to being the winner of the Western half of the Gulf South Conference. However this year, the Henderson State team is a "rebuilding year" and does not have a conference win. The game was close in the first half but the Bisons behind a great overall game from Kevin Brown, another solid performance by Jesse Bynum, and Matt Hall being Matt Hall, torched the Reddies in the second half. Everyone got to play, even if just for a minute.

While the game was a victory, the best thing about the whole game was the return of the Rhodes Rowdies. The rowdies have not been as they have been in the past. Attendance is down, cheers are not as in sync, and the atmosphere has been somewhat lacking. Perhaps the Rowdies are in a "rebuilding year"? This game however was not the case. Maybe the cameras had something to do with it. Maybe the historical rivalry between the two teams contributed to the great showing. Could it have been the training and encouragement of one of the original Rowdies, Logan Light, that helped get the them back on track. Whatever the case may be, today was great. While I have always been one of the guys that sits on the other side of the student section and never was a Rowdie, I have always felt like that the atmosphere has been one of the reasons why HU has done so well playing at home.

We only have one more home game remained this year. I hope that the same atmosphere and energy will be felt then as well. I also hope that this will carry over to the next year as well and the Rowdies have returned for good.