Prospect from Hawkins, Indiana visits Hope

COMMUNITY LEADER — Steve Harrington is also known locally in Hawkins as a leader in community service. Here, he is pictured with a local youth during a “clean up the town” campaign. (Cosmopolitan)

No one recruits like Coach Van Wieren, and it certainly looks as though the legendary coach isn’t slipping this year. Spotted around campus with Coach Van Wieren and Flying Dutchmen captain Greg Mitchell (’89) on last Friday’s visit day was Steve Harrington, a top-rated prospect out of Hawkins High School in Hawkins, Indiana.

Harrington has had an impactful career during his four years on the varsity team at Hawkins High. He was the first player in Hawkins High history to reach a 1,000-point career and has led his team every year in assists as well. Harrington is a highly sought-after recruit and will likely receive attention from colleges both large and small throughout the Midwest.

We reached out to Coach Van Wieren for comments. He told us, “Harrington is a great player, to be sure. He could be a real impact player for us here at Hope. He’s got Division I skills and he could really help elevate our men next year. However, we never put all of our eggs in one basket.”

Harrington is definitely a Division I prospect. The senior has been fielding attention from strong programs like Indiana University and Michigan State University all fall, and it is hard to believe that such a talented athlete would end up at a school as small as Hope, even with the prestigious basketball program offered here. The Ranchor caught up with Harrington briefly during his visit to ask him about his college selection process.

“I don’t mind much where I play, honestly,” Harrington told us. “Indiana and all those schools are great, but I like Hope so far. I’d love to get away from my hometown and spend some time in a town where not very many strange things happen. Also, my girlfriend Nancy doesn’t like big schools much, and she loves the liberal arts and Christian aspects of Hope, so I’d say there’s a good chance I end up here.”

Harrington would be an excellent addition to next year’s Flying Dutchmen squad. His consistency as a shooter behind the three-point arc in combination with Mitchell’s intelligence and finesse at the point guard position would create a virtually unsinkable offensive front. Acquiring this coveted talent would be a bold move for Hope basketball, one that would hopefully help Hope to another MIAA championship.

*This is part of The Ranchor issue of The Anchor, which is a satire edition of our student newspaper. None of this article is meant to be taken as fact.*