UA Little Rock to celebrate champions at annual BBQ at Bailey
September 8-14, 2025
By Angelita Faller
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will kick off the new school year with one of its most beloved traditions, BBQ at Bailey, on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
This year’s picnic will feature a special Celebration of Champions theme, recognizing the outstanding achievements of Trojan athletic teams that brought home conference titles from 2023 to 2025.
Honorees include the 2024 and 2025 OVC Tournament Champion Baseball Team, the 2024 OVC Regular-Season Champion Men’s Basketball Team, the 2023 OVC Regular-Season Champion Women’s Basketball Team, the 2023 and 2025 OVC Champion Men’s Golf Team, the 2024 OVC Champion Women’s Golf Team, the 2024 and 2025 OVC Champion Men’s Indoor Track and Field Team, the 2024 OVC Champion Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Team, and the 2024 and 2025 Pac-12 Dual Meet Champion Wrestling Team.
The annual picnic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, where students, employees, alumni, and friends of the university can gather to enjoy barbecue, music, and fellowship.
Whole Hog Cafe will cater the event, with vegetarian burgers available, and cookies from Community Bakery will be served. DJ Klassik Entertainment, owned by alumnus Jonathan Nunn, will keep the celebration lively with music, while the Trojan Pep Band and Maximus will join the festivities. UA Little Rock alumnus Travis “Tre’ Day” Rowan, host of the Drive Time Show on Power 92.3FM, will be broadcasting live from BBQ at Bailey.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone back for BBQ at Bailey, a tradition that unites our community,” said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. “This year we’ll celebrate our championship teams and make the day even more special with alumni and community volunteers, including our Alumni Board and Foundation Fund Board members, stepping up to serve in honor of our student-athletes, who traditionally fill that role.”
Frank Cuervo, UA Little Rock’s director of athletics, added that this year’s celebration is a fitting way to spotlight the dedication of the university’s student-athletes.
“Our teams truly embody the pride, passion, and spirit of Little Rock—not only through their championship success on the field, but also through their dedication and achievement in the classroom,” Cuervo said. “This celebration is about more than trophies and titles. It’s about honoring the relentless effort, teamwork, and Trojan pride that define our student-athletes. We can’t wait to bring the entire university community together to share in these incredible accomplishments and celebrate in true Trojan fashion.”
Hosted by the UA Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, BBQ at Bailey remains one of the university’s favorite traditions, uniting students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community supporters at the start of the academic year. Guests are also invited to visit with student organizations, snap photos at the UA Little Rock backdrop, view their bricks on the alumni patio, and enjoy lawn games on the alumni patio.
The celebration also highlights UA Little Rock’s Centennial Campaign, a historic fundraising initiative leading up to the university’s 100th anniversary in 2027. Focused on scholarships, student support, program excellence, and enhancing the living and learning environment, the campaign reflects the same spirit of community and excellence that shines each year at BBQ at Bailey.
Photo Caption:
The university community enjoys the 2024 BBQ at Bailey event at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Ben Krain.
