HSU’s Own Fab Five

Monday, January 17, marks the 64^th anniversary of Hardin-Simmons’ victory over the University of Arizona Wildcats in a heart-pumping basketball game. The win against Arizona was secured in the last five seconds of the game when center Carol Knight put up the necessary points, ending the game 75-73.

1957-1958 Cowboys

Although 11 wins and 14 losses did not constitute a winning season, the 1957-1958 team gained national recognition by pulling down 1,128 rebounds. This is not the only notable figure to come from this basketball season. During the game against Arizona, only five Cowboys played the entire contest and all five men scored in double figures.

Dr. Joseph (Joe) Arden ’60, one of those five players, reflected on this game and said, “It was highly unusual, even in that long-ago era, that five of us played the entire game. [It] just doesn’t happen.”

The five Cowboys who held the court for 40 minutes of play were: Joe Arden, #34 forward; Sam Condo, #21 forward; Robert Groom, #10 guard; Doyle Edmiston, #44 forward; and Carol Knight, #42 center. The following season, this group of players was referred to as the “Cardiac Kids” by Dr. Merlin Morrow, HSU’s Athletic Director throughout the 1980s and 1990s, due to the amount of overtime and games decided by a single point.

Clipping from the Abilene Reporter-News

“The name of the Arizona arena was ‘Bear Down’ gym, a name that quite accurately reflected the intensity of University of Arizona fans,” said Joe. “Thus, what I remember most about the game is that for almost the entire game, which was very close from start to finish, was the intensity of the Arizona fans, standing most of the time and extremely vocal.”

Of his time at HSU, Joe shared, “My fondest memories from 1956-1960, when a student at HSU, revolve around making friends with several persons with whom I am still very close.” Since 1965, Joe has worked overseas and now calls Bangkok, Thailand home. Joe was inducted into the HSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

HSU’s basketball season is in full swing. Check out the women’s schedule and men’s schedule to plan your next game attendance!