Streaking

Bill Clinton was still President of the United States. Sarah Palin was the Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska. The cost of a gallon of gas was $1.26. HSU Senior Morgan Loyd was 14 years old. The year was 2000 and it was the last time a Cowgirl soccer team lost a regular season conference game.

On Saturday, October 4, the Cowgirls tied the University of Texas-Dallas, 0-0, which means they have extended their streak to 100 games without a loss in conference play during the regular season. From my perspective, there are numerous things that make the streak so impressive. The first is that for each opponent the Cowgirls have been “the game” that our conference opponents have highlighted on their schedule. Each opponent has brought their best game out for the Cowgirls and yet they have prevailed. There are numerous things that go into winning and losing a game-and for the last eight years, HSU has done everything that has to happen to not lose a game in conference play. Congratulations to all current and former members of the women’s soccer program for their role in this remarkable streak.

High praise is also in order for men’s soccer coach Dan Heger, who on Friday became the all-time leader in coaching wins for our men’s soccer program. Heger, who had an outstanding career at HSU as a goalkeeper when we were Division One, is in his sixth year as head coach of the Cowboys. Dan has been able to provide a unique insight for our coaching staff as he coached at the high school and college level before coming to Hardin-Simmons. I know that our other coaches enjoy hearing his perspective on motivating a team and I think they also appreciate hearing his humorous stories about growing up in Philadelphia.

The Hall of Fame Banquet is Friday night and if there is someone you think deserves to be nominated, please forward their information to me. An athlete shall have completed his/her playing career at least ten years prior to becoming eligible for nomination. Coaches shall have finished their coaching career at HSU for five years prior to becoming eligible for nomination. The committee has a difficult task as they choose four individuals to go into the Hall of Fame each year. Each year we shuffle the committee members so that there is not an agenda that one member might bring to the discussion every year. We are fortunate to have so many candidates to choose from each spring when the committee meets to discuss the next class of inductees.