Hall of Fame
“Ground breaking” might be a good word to describe Wes Harmon, SNU’s first soccer coach. After graduating from BNC in 1950 and serving two years in the pastorate, Harmon and his young wife Modelle headed for the Caribbean where they served as missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene for 22 years. While there, he became president of the Caribbean Nazarene College in Trinidad where today the Wesley Harmon Library stands to honor his work for Christ there. Upon returning to the states, he earned a degree in philosophy at Oklahoma State University and started the first Department of Philosophy at Bethany Nazarene College in 1974. Four years later, while still working as a full-time professor, Harmon fielded the first SNU soccer team in 1978, coaching until 1992. No one has come close to besting his 201-101-14 winning record. In fact, Harmon never experienced a losing season. Harmon’s teams captured three NAIA area championships, which took them to three national tournaments. His teams won nine NAIA District 9 titles in a row, and Harmon was chosen NAIA District 9 Coach of the Year four times. During his tenure, he coached four All-Americans and 50 NAIA All-District 9 selection players. Hundreds of students recall Coach Harmon’s leadership on the soccer field as Christ-like. One former SNU Soccer player recalls being impressed as a freshman that
Coach Harmon always prayed this prayer before the games: “Lord, we don’t pray that we win this game, but that you help us do the best with the ability you’ve given us. Keep all on both teams free from injury. Amen.”
Retiring from teaching in 1997, Coach Harmon continued to serve both the college and Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene as a teacher and leader. He didn’t miss many soccer games either! Coach Harmon passed away in 2006 and his wife of 56 years, Modelle, in 2007. They had three children, Jim, Gary, and Debbi (Gandy). The Wes Harmon Soccer Field at the Wanda Rhodes Soccer Complex stands in his memory.
