SPRINGDALE — Laurie Alfrey initially wanted to be a cheerleader since everything in Springdale seemed to revolve around football in the 1970s and ‘80s.
2013 Springdale Hall of Fame Banquet
WHEN: Aug. 10
WHERE: Springdale High
HONOREES:
Laurie Jones Alfrey
Brad Bohannan
Gary Bohannan
Kelly Whiting Geise
Stacy Kever McGaugh
Kirk Miller
Scott Powers
Jim Ed Reed
Krista Sanchez
Allen Smith
Lee Spencer
However, after Alfrey didn’t make the cheerleading squad, she decided to try out for the drill team. She figured it was a chance to still be involved in the football scene on Friday nights.
The only problem: Alfrey didn’t have any dance ability.
So, Alfrey — whose maiden name was Jones — settled for joining Springdale’s tennis team as a ninth-grader. She reluctantly became a star athlete with the Lady Bulldogs.
“Of course, I was disappointed when I didn’t make cheerleader or drill team,” said Alfrey who graduated from Springdale in 1984. “But it clearly opened my eyes like ‘I’m an athlete.’
“Do what athletes do and play tennis, focus on tennis instead of being down and out about not being a cheerleader and stuff like that.”
Alfrey flourished on the tennis court, amassing a record of 23-3 in her final two seasons at Springdale. She advanced to the state semifinals as a senior, then continued playing at Missouri State before going to medical school to become a pediatrician.
Alfrey is amongst a handful of former athletes who’ll be inducted into the Springdale Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Aug. 10.
“I was a go-getter,” said Alfrey, 47, who’s married with two sons and lives in Tulsa. “There weren’t a lot of girls playing tennis at that time, so I had to practice with the boys.
“To try to keep up with the boys, even though I’m small in stature, I was able to hit. I learned to hit just as hard as they could, so I can belt the ball pretty well.”
Alfrey played softball and basketball for Springdale Central Junior High, then played tennis in the summer. When given the opportunity to compete for the Lady Bulldogs as a ninth-grader, she accepted it.
But it took some effort to get her to practice.
Since Alfrey was still in junior high, her mother made it a point to pick her up from Springdale Central and drive her to practice. On the way there, Alfrey changed into her tennis clothes in the back of the van.
It’s a good thing Alfrey didn’t make the cheerleading squad after all. She admitted she’s honored to be inducted into the Springdale Hall of Fame.
Said Alfrey: “For me, it’s probably one of the highest honors that I’ve ever been awarded.”