sday • February 17, 1998
Jl^ff^THE Battalion
Sports
Standard
las Baptist Coach Jim Harp has spent the last 25 years
lilding one of college baseball’s most consistent programs
By Jeremy Furtick
Sports editor
Mis a tranquil little baseball field on the outskirts
■illas at the bottom of a hill. The outfield fence is
fclwith tall oak trees and the sound of country mu-
:can usually be heard playing over the PA system.
Jeryone has seen, and probably played on, a field
Ihis. But this one in particular has experienced a
Imore history than most — it is the field at Dal-
laptist University and the site of Baseball Coach
Karp’s career of outstanding accomplishments,
fcrp has been at the helm of the DBU Patriots
ball team since it was called the DBG Indians
ball team — 25 years. In that time, Harp has
psed an unprece-
Jed 1,005-512
rd, which places
lecond on the list
Jhe NAIA’s win-
lest active coach-
119 consecutive
ling seasons and
Insecutive top-25
lies. He has suf-
1 only three losing
pnsand never fin-
more than five
funder .500.
arphas guided his
Is to seven NAIA
Id Series in the last
fasons, including
n of five trips in
[years. He was in-
led into the NAIA
of Fame in Janu-
f 1997, has been
edSouth Regional
:h of the Year four
s since 1984 and
named the NAIA
mal Coach of the
iyii in 1985.
m 1st
November,
was honored as
the third college
!h to be inducted
the Texas Baseball
ofFame, following
ler Texas A&M
:hTom Chandler and former University of Texas
:h Cliff Gustafson.
etty good record for a guy who was hired as
’s assistant basketball coach while he was finish -
tis college basketball playing career. Harp took
aseball job in 1973, while still an assistant to the
etball team and also teaching. He inherited a
whose only feature was a backstop, a team of
Hive players and a program on the brink of being
tythe institution.
was the basketball assistant and that's what I
8 ted to do, but the baseball coach quit in January
2) and I was a graduating senior, so they asked
idie If I would just run the team that spring,” Harp
“The next year I had graduated and they asked
f I would take over full-time baseball (coaching)
keep on as the assistant basketball coach and
h. And I’ve been here ever since.”
11976 Harp narrowed his coaching interests and
lehind his first love, basketball.
[knew I wanted to coach baseball after about five
six years,” Harp said. “I was the head guy in base-
and just the assistant in basketball. I really en-
dthe responsibility of being the head coach.”
larp has used that responsibility to develop a
ching style centered around honesty and hard
k, attributes that always seem to be mentioned
whenever anyone speaks about the coach.
“(Coach) Harp was real honest with me when he
was recruiting me,” said DBU freshman second base-
man Steven Berry. “He didn’t blow smoke up my tail
like other colleges were.”
Scott Harp, Jim’s oldest son, played for DBU at the
end of his college career and served as a student
coaching assistant to the team last season. He said his
father’s success has been a result of hard work.
“There’s not going to be any other coach in the
country work harder than him,” Scott Harp said.
And Coach Harp agrees.
“I think if I had been afraid of hard work I never
would have accomplished anything,” Coach Harp said.
Players, former and current, say Harp is a play
ers’ coach, not just
because of his easy
going demeanor,
but because of his
skill in coaching
each individual
player.
“He works with
you a lot individual
ly,” Berry said. “He’s
good at coaching
each individual
player and disciplin
ing you when you
need disciplining
and giving you a pat
on the back when
you need that. But
he’s always positive.”
“He always points
out the negative,
and he should, but
he makes sure he al
ways points out the
positive things also,”
Scott Harp said.
“He’ll get on you but
he’s also the first one
to congratulate you
when you do well.
That gets his players
to believe in him.”
After 25 years of
going to work at the
same school and
achieving more than
most coaches ever dream of, Harp said there are
things he has grown to appreciate about his job.
“The thing that is most gratifying for me is at alumni
games,” Coach Harp said. “They come back and they all
have their degrees and they’ve married and have their lit
tle babies. It’s gratifying to see them grow up to be men.
“After 25 years I’ve seen a lot of them grow up
to be men.”
But Coach Harp is more than just a baseball man;
he has the respect and admiration of his family and
peers. That is what truly makes him successful.
“He’s a Christian family man,” Scott Harp said. “His
family comes first and baseball has always been sec
ond. He really loves his family.”
Texas A&M Coach Mark Johnson said Coach Harp
has earned his reputation as a top-notch coach.
“I have always felt Jim Harp was a class guy,” John
son said. “I have a lot of respect for him. I like to play
him because he always puts a good team on the field.”
Baseball is often referred to as a simple game —
you throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball.
But Jim Harp has made it seem simple in other ways
— you take a job, you work hard, you respect your
players and you achieve success. But for everything
to work just right, you have to love your job.
“He never gets tired of it,” Scott Harp said. “He still
acts like he’s 20 years old out there.”
Congratulations 1998 Graduates
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. will be visiting your campus on the dates
listed below. If you are graduating with a degree in one of the following
areas, we would like to consider your resumes for opportunities at Jacobs
Engineering. Please contact The Placement Office to give them your resume
and pick up a flyer with more detailed information or e-mail us your resume
at Frank.Foltyn@Jacobs.com
Dates
February 18-19
February 23
March 12
Degrees
Construction Science
Electrical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Construction Science
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science
Curriculum Options
Power or Control Systems
Structural or Hydraulics
Control Systems
Stress Analysis or Equipment
Equipment
Equipment or Vessels
Process or Equipment
Saturday, February 21 ❖ Galveston, Texas
Hosting the
12K Women’s Championship
12K Open ❖ 5K Run/Walk
8 am 9 am
Q) 12K Open for all runners regardless of ability level
(2) The new course is flat, fast, out & back
q) Fantastic Post-Race Party. “Mardi Party” food, live music,
^ prizes, beads, baubles and beverages
QJ Texas’ Largest King Cake!
Q) Best Costume Prizes. Come baudy and gaudy
(2) CorporateTeam participation options
PACKET PICKUP & REGISTRATION
HOUSTON
Thurs-Fri, Feb. 12-13, 11 - 7: Gallery Furniture, I-45 North
Saturday, Feb. 14, 12-7: Oshman’s, Post Oak
Sunday, Feb. 15, 12-5: Oshman’s, Baybrook
Information & Questions: 1-888-RUN-GALVeston
Kid’s K
8:30 am
GALVESTON
Mon-Tues-Wed, Feb. 16-18, 8 - 5: Texas A&M - Galv.
Thurs, Feb. 19,10 - 6: UTMB Field House
Fri, Feb 20, 3 - 7: Randall’s, 61st and Central City
Sat, Feb 21,6-7:30 AM: Harborside & Pier 15
Clio and mail
Official Entry Form
(Download this form at WWW.TAMUG.TAMU.EDU)
Name_
Phone: day (_
City
-)-
evening ( )
Address
Corporate Competitor: YQ NQ Co. Name
Wheelchair Competitor: YQ NQ Age on 2/21/98 MQFQ
Shirt Size: SQ MQ L □ XL □ Kids 6-8 □ 10-12 □
State Zip
I will be in: 12KOpenQ KidsK □
5K Family Walk/Run □
ENTRY FEES: (by 2/20/98)
KidsK $10.00
5K run/walk or 12K Open $15.00
Mardi Gras tickets @
$8.00 each x (# ) =
TOTAL ENCLOSED $
Race Day Registration:
KidsK $15.00 5K/12K $20.00
PLEASE READ AND SIGN THE WAIVER BELOW.
ENTRY CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT SIGNATURE.
I know that running a road race is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not enter and run unless
I am medically able and property trained. I agree to abide by any decision of a race official relative
to my ability to safely complete the run. I assume all risks associated with running in this event
including, but not limited to: falls, contact with other participants, the effects of the weather, including
high heat and/or humidity, traffic and the conditions of the road, all risks being known and appreciated
by me. Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and in consideration of your accepting my
entry, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release the officials and sponsors
of the 1998 Galveston Mardi Gras Run, its officers and agents, Texas A&M University at Galveston,
the City of Galveston, the Port of Galveston, the Port of Houston, their representatives and successors
including USA Track and Field (USATF) its officers, directors, agents and employees from all claims
or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event even though that liability may arise
out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons named in this waiver.
Make check or money order payable to:
Galveston Mardi Gras Run
Mail to: Mardi Gras Run, P. O. Box 1675,
Galveston, TX 77553-1675
Signature
Date
One entrant per form, please. If entrant is under 18 years of age, form
must be signed by a parent or guardian.
Benefitting Texas A&M University at Galveston Youth Programs: Seaborne Conservation Corps and Sea Camp
fl CHORUS LICK
February 24 & 25 at 8 PM
Rudder Auditorium
Great seats still available!
call 845-1234.
RATED
SC
•PAS
Opera & Performing Arts Society