Kevin L. Starks

          Athletic Director

August 4, 2011

Dear Harding Family,

The six years I spent as a Harding student set the tone for the rest of my life. Walking the halls as a new seventh grader was intimidating at first, but I soon found welcoming hearts where I felt accepted and loved. One of the reasons I came back here seven years ago to be the Athletic Director was that my life was changed forever by being a Harding Lion.

The 2011-2012 school year is upon us, and we look forward to the new direction of our Harding Athletic programs and revitalization of the Boosters Club. Your Boosters Club is working to provide funding to all student-athletes and to the overall athletic programs. We have a history of great support from our families, and I encourage you to become an active member of the Boosters Club and to attend meetings throughout the year, which are open to the entire membership. There are many ways you can be involved such as working concessions for our games, selling spirit wear, and telling others about the good work of the Boosters Club.

Please take a moment to look over the attached membership form. If you have been a member before, consider moving up one level and providing even more support to our Harding athletic family. If you are thinking about joining for the first time, understand that not only will you receive at least one season pass and spirit wear items at most levels, but you will also be providing much needed support to the student-athletes at Harding. Funds from the Boosters Club will go toward athletic program upgrades, travel, clean up, equipment, and player fee reductions, just to name a few. I know that we all think about the "rewards" we get as members, but this year think about the good work your membership does for our teams.

Mark Friday, August 12 on your calendar for this year's Third Annual Fish Fry. We will introduce our fall varsity sports teams and coaches as well as take tours of our newly renovated lobby and front hallway. Tickets are $10 per person (children 10 and under are just $5) and may be purchased online @  www.hardinglions.org/fishfryor from Lisa Greer in the Development Office at 312-2858.  I look forward to seeing all of you there!

A table will be set up in Ellers Gym the night of the Fish Fry to accommodate all who would like to become members of the Boosters Club. Different levels of membership are available offering varying numbers of passes based on your level of membership. Our first home football game is Friday, August 19, at 7:00, and we'd love to see banner crowds this year at all athletic functions.  It's energizing to our athletes to hear crowds roar and cheer for their efforts on the playing fields and to reward them with spirit-filled enthusiasm from the bleachers.

I have been blessed in so many ways by my years at Harding Academy with life-long friends, memories of winning seasons, chapels, and homecomings, as well as teachers who've influenced my life in eternal ways. I want the same thing for every student who walks through the doors of Harding Academy.Growing up at Harding gave me an anchor for the rest of my life, and I want to pass that on to succeeding generations of children. 

Won't you join me in advancing our Athletic Department to be the best in Memphis?  I would consider it an honor.

Go Lions!

Kevin L. Starks