100,000 to the UALR athletic department. That's a nice gesture and I sure will be greatly appreciated. One of my co-workers in Little Rock forward me a link from Arkansas Times mentioning the gift.

(02-10-2010 02:38 PM)LR Alum Wrote:  100,000 to the UALR athletic department. That's a nice gesture and I sure will be greatly appreciated. One of my co-workers in Little Rock forward me a link from Arkansas Times mentioning the gift.

That's great, can you give us the link?

(02-10-2010 02:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 02:38 PM)LR Alum Wrote:  100,000 to the UALR athletic department. That's a nice gesture and I sure will be greatly appreciated. One of my co-workers in Little Rock forward me a link from Arkansas Times mentioning the gift.

That's great, can you give us the link?

I have a feeling that Rush's input (if he chooses to provide his opinion) regarding our coaching situation would carry a little more weight then that of us yokels on this message board. I, for one, really appreciate what he does for our program.

(02-10-2010 03:39 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 02:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 02:38 PM)LR Alum Wrote:  100,000 to the UALR athletic department. That's a nice gesture and I sure will be greatly appreciated. One of my co-workers in Little Rock forward me a link from Arkansas Times mentioning the gift.

That's great, can you give us the link?

I have a feeling that Rush's input (if he chooses to provide his opinion) regarding our coaching situation would carry a little more weight then that of us yokels on this message board. I, for one, really appreciate what he does for our program.

No doubt you're right about that. I'll have to rush out there and donate my $10. Do you think that will carry any weight? Sorry folks, that's all I can do. Seriously, I certainly appreciate all that Rush does and has done for the program. He's certainly given back many times over what UALR spent on Buddy with a scholarship.

And what I appreciate even more is, Rush still attends some Trojan games.

(02-10-2010 03:39 PM)mjs Wrote:  I have a feeling that Rush's input (if he chooses to provide his opinion) regarding our coaching situation would carry a little more weight then that of us yokels on this message board.

A "little" more weight..?!? That's the understatement of the decade.

Many thanks to Mr. Harding. You 'da Man.

(02-10-2010 04:23 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 03:39 PM)mjs Wrote:  I have a feeling that Rush's input (if he chooses to provide his opinion) regarding our coaching situation would carry a little more weight then that of us yokels on this message board.

A "little" more weight..?!? That's the understatement of the decade.

Many thanks to Mr. Harding. You 'da Man.

Ya think? But since it was Coach Shields who gave Buddy the chance to play, he might choose to stay out of that area. But what a great gift to the program. Thank you Mr. Harding!

(02-10-2010 04:09 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 03:39 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 02:58 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 02:38 PM)LR Alum Wrote:  100,000 to the UALR athletic department. That's a nice gesture and I sure will be greatly appreciated. One of my co-workers in Little Rock forward me a link from Arkansas Times mentioning the gift.

That's great, can you give us the link?

I have a feeling that Rush's input (if he chooses to provide his opinion) regarding our coaching situation would carry a little more weight then that of us yokels on this message board. I, for one, really appreciate what he does for our program.

No doubt you're right about that. I'll have to rush out there and donate my $10. Do you think that will carry any weight? Sorry folks, that's all I can do. Seriously, I certainly appreciate all that Rush does and has done for the program. He's certainly given back many times over what UALR spent on Buddy with a scholarship.

And what I appreciate even more is, Rush still attends some Trojan games.

+1

I really like the fact that Rush comes to the games. I am sure he goes to the UCA games too.

(02-10-2010 04:28 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 04:23 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 03:39 PM)mjs Wrote:  I have a feeling that Rush's input (if he chooses to provide his opinion) regarding our coaching situation would carry a little more weight then that of us yokels on this message board.

A "little" more weight..?!? That's the understatement of the decade.

Many thanks to Mr. Harding. You 'da Man.

Ya think? But since it was Coach Shields who gave Buddy the chance to play, he might choose to stay out of that area. But what a great gift to the program. Thank you Mr. Harding!

Yes I would think he'd stay out of it. I've never met the man, but he seems like a nice guy, and the type that would stay out. But, the fact he still comes to some games, means more to me than the money. We need all the fans we can get.

Stay out of what area? Not donate the money to the men's team?

(02-10-2010 05:15 PM)eh9198 Wrote:  Stay out of what area? Not donate the money to the men's team?

No, not meddle in the affairs of the A/D.

(02-10-2010 05:23 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 05:15 PM)eh9198 Wrote:  Stay out of what area? Not donate the money to the men's team?

No, not meddle in the affairs of the A/D.

Rush and his family were at the game at Ole Miss to start the season. He's a true fan, not just a financial supporter.

(02-10-2010 10:22 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 05:23 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(02-10-2010 05:15 PM)eh9198 Wrote:  Stay out of what area? Not donate the money to the men's team?

No, not meddle in the affairs of the A/D.

Rush and his family were at the game at Ole Miss to start the season. He's a true fan, not just a financial supporter.

Here's the story:

Hardings give $100,000 to UALR

NEWS RELEASE

Rush F. Harding III, a longtime businessman and philanthropist, and his wife Linda have presented UALR with a gift of $100,000 to support Trojan athletics.

Harding said his family wanted to honor UALR for its positive effect on central Arkansas. The Harding’s son, Buddy, is a 2008 UALR graduate and started on the Trojan basketball team from 2005 to 2007 prior to suffering a career-ending injury.

“The impact UALR has had on my community and family is immense,” Harding said. “My wife, my family, and I look forward to supporting UALR in a much more meaningful way.”

The $100,000 gift is the latest presentation the Hardings have made to UALR athletics. The latest is an unrestricted gift for the support of UALR student-athletes.

“We are honored that Rush and Linda would make this contribution to UALR and the Department of Athletics,” said Chris Peterson, director of UALR Athletics. “This is another example of their generosity and compassion for higher education and student-athletes in central Arkansas.”

Chris has never asked me my opinion about such matters and I would never offer them. At the end of all deliberations, CP will do whatever he thinks is best for UALR' s program. You are measured by wins and loses but SS has done a lot of things well and has won consistently. I wonder what our record would be this year if Mike Smith had not gotten hurt? I want Steve Shields to do well but I also want UALR to continue to grow our program and continue to elevate our stature in college basketball. CP wants the same thing, all of our fans want the same thing, SS wants the same thing.

(02-11-2010 01:17 AM)rfhiii Wrote:  Chris has never asked me my opinion about such matters and I would never offer them. At the end of all deliberations, CP will do whatever he thinks is best for UALR' s program. You are measured by wins and loses but SS has done a lot of things well and has won consistently. I wonder what our record would be this year if Mike Smith had not gotten hurt? I want Steve Shields to do well but I also want UALR to continue to grow our program and continue to elevate our stature in college basketball. CP wants the same thing, all of our fans want the same thing, SS wants the same thing.

Thank you for your wonderful support of the UALR basketball program.
As you obviously have observed, there are varied opinions about the coaching situation. Everyone, regardless of their opinion in this matter, wants what is best for the program. Steve is a wonderful person who is liked by everyone who knows him, and has been a good representative for the program, but whether he will continue to lead the program will and should ultimately be determined by Chris, who I am certain, regardless of his own personal feelings, will make a decision that he feels is in the best interest of the university. I'm sure we'll all see you around the Stephens Arena the remainder of the season. Once again, thanks for your amazing support of our program.