Buster Hardman came to Taft College from American Fork, Utah, just 30 miles south of Salt Lake City and played two seasons for the Cougars.
As a freshman in 2019, Hardman earned second-team All-Central Valley Conference honors and was named to the Gold Glove team at second base. He got off to a slow start offensively while still playing standout defense his sophomore season but was just starting to heat up at the plate when COVID brought the 2020 season to an abrupt end.
From Taft, he returned home to Utah and redshirted the 2021 season at NCAA Division I Utah Valley University. Now at his third college in four years, Hardman feels he's in the right place and will play baseball at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas this upcoming spring 2022 season.
We caught up with Buster and asked him about his time at Taft.
How has your experience at Friends University been?
"I have been having a great experience at Friends U. I think the best thing I've experienced so far is how kind and caring everyone is. That is something that I did not experience at my last school. (it was not Taft). I felt like I went under the radar and no one truly cared about me and my schooling at my last school, which is typically what you get at a really big university. But at smaller schools like Taft and Friends, I've experienced great people and have built great relationships."
What do you miss most about Taft College?
"The thing I miss about Taft are the people. I have met some life-long friends while I was there and had some great memories. I will always miss being out on Cougar Field and being coached by some great coaches!"
How did Taft prepare you for the next level?
"Taft prepared me by learning how to really balance out school, baseball, and even a job. Even with all of that stuff going on, I was still able to learn how to get stuff done during the week so I can have a weekend to take a step away to relax and refocus for a new week."
What are your plans for after Friends University?
"After Friends I plan to go back home to the great state of Utah and become a high school teacher and a coach at my alma mater (American Fork High School)."
Any other memories or experiences about Taft you would like to share?
"I'm so grateful I am for everyone in the athletic department at Taft. I miss going in and seeing Mrs. Edmaiston almost every day and having conversations with her or even just saying hi. I'm so grateful for Kanoe (Bandy) and everything she does behind the scenes as the Athletic Director. There is a reason she was awarded Athletic Director of the Year not too long ago. I can't express how grateful I am for Bruce (Ferguson), he had one of the toughest jobs on campus by being the only trainer for every sport and has the patience to deal with a ton of athletes every day. He helped me even when I already had left Taft with my elbow injury, making sure I was getting the right treatment, exercises, and even making sure the insurance company was doing its part with the medical bills. Taft athletes are in great hands with these amazing people and I am sure there are lots of other people that I did not mention that were vital in the process of all athletic success."