LITTLE ROCK — The annual Meet The Trojans Night ended up going off without a hitch, at least after a hitch forced the UALR Tip-In Club to abandon Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock for the warmth of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum.
The result was one of the most successful live auctions in the history of the Tip-In Club, which donates money to support the UALR men's basketball team.
"Rough estimate, we raised between $14,000 and $15,000 tonight," Tip-In Club President Skip Triplett said. "It was just really great."
It was a little crowded at times, with tables wedged between the hall of fame's sports memorabilia exhibits, but no one seemed to mind. Especially when the alternative was standing around outside.
"I am very appreciative of [Executive Director] Ray Tucker and the people at the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and [General Manager] Michael Marion and Alltel Arena," UALR Coach Steve Shields said. "What a credit to our Tip-In Club board to make this decision. It worked out great."
The event has been held at Ricks Armory in Little Rock the past two years but was forced to move after a scheduling conflict. The Tip-In Club settled on the concourse at Dickey-Stephens Park. But as temperatures dropped in central Arkansas this week, the group began to be concerned about holding it outdoors. That's when Tucker stepped in.
"We knew UALR was having this event. I went to the guys this afternoon and said, 'Hey, our facility is available. We'll have to work out some things with Alltel Arena.' But Michael Marion was great," Tucker said. "It was great to be able to move this thing indoors where it wasn't 48 degrees."
Tables already were dressed at Dickey-Stephens Park when the decision was made to move the event. That sent Tip-In Club members scrambling to get the donation items to the museum and the tables and chairs, provided by the arena, set up.
"Ray Tucker came to me at 1:30[Thursday] and we were already setting up at the ballpark," Triplett said. "We just made the decision to do it."
It was the first time inside the museum for most of the Trojans players. And for most of the new players, it was their first interaction with UALR's fans.
"It was a good event. It was really surprising," freshman guard Kelson Stewart said.
UALR will travel to Jackson, Tenn., on Saturday for a closed scrimmage against TennesseeTech. The Trojans will play an exhibition game Nov. 4 against Cameron (Okla.) at the Stephens Center before opening the season Nov. 9 at home against University of the Ozarks.
"This is an event that really brings our fans together. It's a lot of fun," junior guard Brandon Patterson said. "It all worked out pretty good considering it was cold and raining outside."
The live auction was the highlight of the event with the largest bid of $2,200 going for a packagethat included two airline tickets to Los Angeles, four game tickets to see the Los Angeles Lakers and a meet and greet with former UALR and current Lakers guard Derek Fisher.
"I think this was the best [auction] that we've had. So much credit has to go to Annette Fisher with her hard work and connections," Shields said.
The items Annette Fisher collected weren't limited to her son. She had gift baskets from five NBA teams as well as other items on which to bid.
"We worked it out thanks to Ray Tucker. The Alltel Arena was really nice to throw it together at alast minute. And the fans came out and supported the team," Triplett said. "My gosh, Steve Shields has got to be happy."
Sports, Pages 27 on 10/26/2007