SpectacUALR 2017 proves to be another big success
October 23-29, 2017
LITTLE ROCK – It was another fun-filled and successful night Oct. 5 at the Jack Stephens Center as the Little Rock Athletic Department hosted its ninth annual SpectacUALR, presented by Marilyn and Greg Brown and Blanche and Kathryn Murphy. This year’s event, honoring Mary and Rick Edwards and their family, raised $203,000, all of which will go towards enhancing the experience for nearly 200 Trojan student-athletes.
“We are grateful for the outpouring of support on Thursday night,” said Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “SpectacUALR 2017 proved to be another great event celebrating everything good about college athletics. I want to especially thank our presenting sponsors, Marilyn and Greg Brown and Blanche and Kathryn Murphy, for their generous support in helping raise much needed resources for our student-athletes.”
Around 500 guests attended the event, among which were nearly 50 student-athletes from across the Little Rock athletic program, giving a stark reminder as to the purpose for the event. Remarks from Conque, UA Little Rock Chancellor Dr. Andrew Rogerson and Rick Edwards helped drive home the significant role these student-athletes play in enhancing the reach of UA Little Rock.
The Edwards family was recognized at the event, which, fittingly, serves as the department’s primary fundraiser for its student-athletes. The Edwards’ involvement with Little Rock Athletics goes back nearly 20 years, showing their support both on a professional and personal level. The Edwards’ security company, Triple-S Alarm, has been a long time corporate sponsor not just to the athletic department but throughout the UA Little Rock campus.
Personally, the Edwards have been avid supporters of Trojan Athletics, rarely missing a basketball game over the past two decades, while assisting in a multitude of ways behind the scenes to assist the department. Additionally, the Edwards have established a scholarship through the UA Little Rock nursing program, paying for the educational needs for a nursing student who lives or works in Saline County.
The success of SpectacUALR was due to the tireless work of many, continuing to build the event into a unique fixture in the Little Rock community.
“We are indebted to our committee, led by Mary Katherine Henderson and Scott Yant, as this group did an outstanding job this year,” Conque said. “Hats off to our staff, and in particular Hannah Troillet, our Director of Development and Sales, for leading us through another top-notch fundraising event that will have a significant impact on our student-athletes this upcoming academic year.”
With the addition of the $203,000 raised Thursday evening, SpectacUALR has now brought in over $1.9 million since its inception in 2009. Those donations are used to help fund the 14 Trojan athletic programs, benefitting the nearly 200 Little Rock student-athletes that represent Little Rock’s team.
PHOTO CAPTION:
UA Little Rock Athletic Director Chasse Conque (far left) stands with the Rick and Mary Edwards family during the University’s annual SpectacUALR event at the Stepens Center on the UA Little Rock campus Oct. 5. The Edwards were this year’s honorees. (Photo by Lonnie Timmons IIIww)
