Former coach Hardin honored

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

Lyndon Hardin, former head coach for South Plains College’s Lady Texans, was honored recently during the Lady Texans’ game against Western Texas College.

“It’s quite an honor and very humbling,” Hardin said of the presentation by the college. “You have to stop and think about all the people that share in this award with me. My family, past assistant coaches and players, Joe Tubb, and SPC. It’s an honor, but not just mine.”

Hardin recently was elected to the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In his 22 years as head coach, Hardin led the Lady Texans to a 456-222 record, 14 appearances at the Region V Tournament and two appearances at the NJCAA National Tournament.

“Knowing the other people in there, that is very humbling,” Hardin said of being selected to go into the Hall of Fame. “There are so many people that have made so many more contributions to the organization than what I have, and it makes you feel really unworthy of it. It’s quite an honor and really exciting.”

Hardin was named WJCAC Coach of the Year four times during his tenure at SPC, and was also named Junior College Coach of the Year by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches in 1992.

Hardin joined the SPC coaching staff in 1983 after leaving Canyon High School where he had coached the Lady Eagles to the Class 4A State Championship in 1981. Hardin also coached at Tulia High School, McCamey Junior High School, and Ballinger High School. His overall coaching record is 574-284.

Hardin received his associate's degree from South Plains College before going on to earn his bachelor of science degree in physical education and health from Eastern New Mexico University. He later completed his Master of Education degree from Sul Ross State University in 1983.

Also, during his career, Hardin coached WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes at SPC from 1989-1991, before she went on to Texas Tech and then continued to the WNBA’s Houston Comets.

Hardin was a member of many NJCAA committees, including serving as President of the NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, and Regional Director for Region 5 Division I-III NJCAA Basketball Committee.

He also served as coordinator of the first NJCAA Women’s All-Star Game, as well as president of the Southwest Association of Women’s Basketball Coaches, and was chairman of the WBCA/CC Kodak All-American Committee.

In addition, Hardin was a charter member and past president of the Levelland Breakfast Rotary Club.

Hardin and his wife, Judy, have two children, Bryan and Sharla, and three grandchildren.