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Where Are They Now? - Erika Thornsberry Hardin (Women's Basketball)

Erika Thornsberry Hardin's playing career was cut short after sustaining an injury only eight games into her sophomore year. She spent the remainder of her time as a medical redshirt serving as a student assistant for coach Greg Brown and his staff. Erika spent some time talking about her days at Lipscomb this week with Lipscombsports.com.
 
 
What years did you compete for Lipscomb, and who coached you?
 
I played the post in 2011-12 and 2012-13. My first year Frank Bennett was my head coach. The assistants were Billy Snell, Katie Beth Allen and Jada Mincy. From 2012 on Greg Brown was the head coach. His assistants were John Wild, Jada Mincy and Cara Cahak.
 
 
What teammates were most memorable and why?
 
I had a lot of good friends on the team - Chelsea McMeans, Natalie Scarbrough and Jess Reece. Chelsea was a couple of years older and also was a post player. I roomed with Ashley Southern, who transferred to Lipscomb, for two years and we were close since we were roommates. Jana Wright and I were on the team for all four years. We walked at graduation together.
 
I really enjoyed playing with all of my teammates. They were a fun group.
 
 
What degrees have you earned, from where, and when?
 
I received my bachelor's degree in Communications from Lipscomb in 2016.
 
I earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Northwestern Ohio University in 2019.
 
 
Why did you attend Lipscomb?
 
I had some other offers. What drove me to choose Lipscomb was the coaching staff – coach Bennett, Billy Snell and Katie Beth. They pushed us on the court,but they cared about us. They cared about us as women. They cared about our personal lives. They cared about what we were doing in the classroom. It wasn't just about what we did on the court.I didn't get that same feeling from the coaching staffs of the other schools I looked at.
 
 
What is your favorite athletic memory at Lipscomb?
 
I thought it was really cool playing against North Carolina and going to their facility.
 
I also thought Ole Miss playing us at Allen Arena was cool.
 
 
Who influenced your athletic career at Lipscomb?
 
It was not  just one person. It was the whole coaching staff my first year. They complemented each other. I remember coach Snell cooking for us. After I had my surgery Katie Beth came to visit me. Coach Bennett read Bible verses to us each day.
 
 
What do you remember about Lipscomb campus life during your time here?
 
It was a smaller campus and I enjoyed it. I made a lot of friends in the athletic department and made friends with a lot of students who weren't basketball players. I still keep up with Gracie Aguirre (Lipscomb softball).  Being on a smaller campus I was able to build more friendships that way. Everyone knew each other.
 
It was also like a small community.  And then there was the city of Nashville where there were always things to do.
 
 
What is the most valuable lesson you learned in your time at Lipscomb?
 
I was a Christian before I came to Lipscomb. But being away from home in a different city I was able to put my faith first and trust in Jesus Christ. I realized if I put my trust in Him, he will take care of me.
 
 
Who were your favorite professors and why?
 
Dr. Mark McGee in communications. I learned a lot from his classes, but he also took us outside of the classroom and gave us real life experiences in communications.

Because of him I was an announcer on the radio for the ASUN Softball Tournament. My favorite stint was because of that I also able to work with ESPN on the Lipscomb softball games as well.
 
 
Where did you grow up?
 
Saint Mary's, Ohio
 
 
Where do you live, and what do you do now?
 
Saint Mary's, Ohio. I am a full-time mom and I love it.  I work part-time for Only Believe Ministries in events.
 
 
Tell us about your family:
 
My husband, Freddie Hardin, and I have been married five years. We have a son, Ty, who is four. Our daughter, Noelle, is two.
 
 
FAST FINISH:
  • Favorite food: Cheeseburger
  • Favorite TV show or movie: When in Vegas
  • Favorite Bible scripture: Acts 16:31
  • Favorite sports team: Kentucky Wildcats
  • Pet peeve: Someone who is negative all the time
  • Person I most admire: My mother, MaryAnn
  • Person I'd most like to meet: Jackie Duplantis
  • Rather ride or drive? Drive
  • Pick one – salad or dessert:  Dessert
  • Dream vacation spot: Hawaii
  • Early morning or late-night person? Early morning
 
 
If you wish to contact Erika, you can do so by email:
  • Email address: Erika_hardin@yahoo.com
 
 
 
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