State college report: UCO's Terry Hardeman going out in style

By Matt Patterson Comments 0
Published: November 4, 2009

EDMOND — The clock is winding down on Terry Hardeman’s long and distinguished career as a linebacker at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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Hardeman came to UCO via Star Spencer. While this season hasn’t been a great one for UCO, it has been for Hardeman, who earned his third Lone Star Conference North Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday. For the season he has 73 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. The 6-foot-1, 235 pound linebacker will play his final college game when the Bronchos host NSU at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"It’s been a long five years,” Hardeman said. "It’s a great feeling. Obviously the season didn’t go as I figured it would, but it’s been a great ride. I have no regrets. I gave it my all for my four years and that’s all I can do.”

UCO defensive coordinator Steve Patterson couldn’t agree more. Ask him about the player he’s coached the last five seasons, including a red-shirt year, and the praise flows.

"He’s a great person, first and foremost,” Patterson said. "He does what he’s supposed to do. He spends a lot of time in the film room. He plays with passion and emotion. We’ve had a great relationship these last four or five years. We laugh a lot together. There’s nothing negative you can say about him.”

Hardeman said he’ll have about 20 or 25 family members in the stands for the NSU game. There are times when he marvels about how far he’s come since high school. He’s on track to get his degree in safety and wants to become a fireman when he graduates, though Hardeman said he would at least make an attempt to play professional football. But regardless, the life experiences he’s gained at UCO have set him up for a bright future, though it hasn’t always been easy.

"You go through things in college, every kid does,” he said. "It’s not going to be all kosher the whole four years. You go through trials. I’m glad I made it. My faith has helped me through the tough times and it’s been worth it. Saturday will cap it off.”

And though Hardeman is physically imposing, he’s not immune to being sentimental from time to time. It will be difficult to take the field for the final time with memories from some of the best years of his life so far spinning in his head.

"I’m going to try to hold those emotions in,” he said. "I’m an emotional guy. My family will be there. I have a feeling it will be a great day. Just getting a win would be the perfect finish. It doesn’t matter how it comes, just leaving this thing with something to hold my head high about.”