SpectacUALR 2018 to honor Cathy and Kevin Crass
March 19-25, 2018
By Angelita Faller
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will honor Cathy and Kevin Crass during the 10th annual SpectacUALR event Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Jack Stephens Center.
“As we embark on our 10th SpectacUALR, Chancellor Andrew Rogerson and I felt we needed a homerun with this year’s honorees and we have that in Cathy and Kevin Crass,” said Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “The Crass family means so much to not only Little Rock Athletics, but the entire university.
“Serving in countless capacities to help advance Trojan Athletics and UA Little Rock, Kevin and Cathy’s love for Little Rock’s Team is evident in their everyday life. We are indebted to them for their passion, compassion, and advocacy for our student-athletes and coaches and their willingness to answer the call every time we need their support.”
An avid supporter, ambassador, community leader and benefactor, Kevin has been an active figure for both the Little Rock community and Trojan Athletics for over 30 years. He has served on numerous boards and councils, most recently serving a two-year term as chair of the Trojan Advisory Council.
Kevin has joined Ray Tucker on Little Rock men’s basketball radio broadcasts for the past two seasons. Together with his wife, Cathy, the two have been instrumental figures in the growth of the Trojan Athletic department in recent years, highlighted by the establishment of the Kevin Crass Heart of a Trojan Award in 2017, given annually to a Little Rock student-athlete based on community service, leadership and dedication to their team.
Kevin earned his law degree from UA Little Rock in 1984 and his support and connection to the university and city have continued for over 30 years. He is a senior partner at Friday Eldredge & Clark, a law firm based in Little Rock. Kevin serves as the chair of the War Memorial Stadium Commission and is vice chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Cathy has also been an active member of the Little Rock community, serving on the board of the UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging. She is a past president of the Little Rock Garden Club and a Stephen Ministry Leader at Second Presbyterian Church.
“Our involvement with Little Rock Athletics has resulted in a real blessing to our family,” Kevin said. “As a former college student-athlete, I know from personal experience that support of intercollegiate athletics has a dramatic impact on the lives of young men and women. UA Little Rock and the Trojans are also a critical part of the life of this community. Cathy and I are humbled to be honored as a part of SpectacUALR and we hope it is a way to enhance our support of the program.”
SpectacUALR has become one of the marquee events for the Little Rock Athletic Department in the past nine years, raising 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 student-athletes that represent Little Rock’s team.
The evening will once again feature unique silent and live auction items, ranging from memorabilia, gift packages and one-of-a-kind experiences. All of the proceeds directly support Little Rock student-athletes.
To order a table for SpectacUALR 2018 or for information on how to become a sponsor, contact Eric Silakowski, Little Rock’s associate athletic director for external operations, at 501-569-3382 or egsilakowski@ualr.edu. More about the event can be found on the SpectacUALR tab under Inside Athletics at LRTrojans.com.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Cathy and Kevin Crass are the honorees for the 2018 SpectacUALR. (Photo provided)
