Bowden to attend FCA event
Former Florida State football Coach Bobby Bowden will be the guest speaker at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ annual south-central Arkansas chapter banquet May 2 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
Bowden, 83, holds the NCAA record for career victories (377) by a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision coach.
Bowden, who led Florida State to national championships in 1993 and 1999 before retiring following the 2009 season, has been active in FCA for many years.
The Christian sports based ministry annually presents the Bobby Bowden Award to a Division I FBS player who “epitomizes a student-athlete.”
Jessieville Coach Don Phillips said the FCA’s south central Arkansas chapter, which covers approximately six counties and 30 schools, was fortunate to secure a high-profile backer of FCA like Bowden.
“Coach Bowden has been such a beacon for coaches for many years,” Phillips said. “He really lives what he preaches.”
In addition to Bowden’s appearance, the Cliff Harris golf tournament - another FCA fundraiser - is May 3 at Hot Springs Village’s Magellan course.
Harris, a former standout defensive back for Ouachita Baptist and the Dallas Cowboys, is a longtime FCA supporter.
For additional information on both events, contact Angie Heaton at (501) 318-7740 or aheaton@fca.org .
CAMDEN FAIRVIEW Picking up pieces
Camden Fairview Coach Buck James said athletic facilities at the school, including Cardinal Stadium, suffered extensive damage during a severe storm Thursday night.
“It’s a pretty devastating situation around here, to be honest with you,” James said.
James said about “half the press box” is gone, and a wall of the weight room was knocked down because of high wind.
James, who lives near the school, said late Saturday morning that four trees were on his roof, adding his home was still without power.
“It’s like a disaster area around the James house,” he said.
James said storm damage will impact Fairview’s off season program, “but we’ll make it work.” James led the Cardinals to the Class 5A state championship in 2012.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK On the move
North Little Rock will play its spring intrasquad game May 23 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Athletic Director Gary Davis said.
North Little Rock can’t play its spring game on campus because of construction of a new high school and stadium.
Davis said the North Little Rock school board will decide later this month where to play games this fall, if the new on-campus stadium isn’t completed.
Davis said North Little Rock’s football program is now based out of the old Bellwood Elementary School in North Little Rock.
Several sites are being considered to hold spring practice, Davis said, including Burns Park and Vestal Park in North Little Rock.
North Little Rock will open the 2014 season Sept.
4 at War Memorial against Little Rock Catholic. War Memorial is Catholic’s longtime home.
EXTRA POINTS
The annual Salt Bowl game between Benton and Bryant at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock will return to Week 1 (Sept. 5 this year) in the 2014-2016 cycle because the Saline County rivals are again in different conferences.
… Junior utility back D.J.
Brown, a member of the 2013 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Metro team at Little Rock Catholic, has transferred to North Little Rock. Brown’s father, William, said in a news release that “our finances would not allow us to continue DJ’s education at Catholic, and we were forced to move him to a public school.” D.J. Brown, a major college recruiting prospect, accounted for more than 2,000 all-purpose yards last season. … Glen Rose will host a team camp at Henderson State on July 22. … Malvern has launched its new Internet site, malvernleopardfootball.
7-on-7 tournament schedule
JUNE 6 Young Guns, at Little Rock Parkview High School
JUNE 7 Air Raid, at Harding University, Searcy Slingin’ it in the South, at University of Arkansas-Monticello Southerner 7-on-7, at Southside Batesville High School
JUNE 11-13 Ouachita Baptist Team Camp, at Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia
JUNE 12 Summer Showdown, at Pulaski Robinson High School, Little Rock
JUNE 13 Harrison 7-on-7, at Harrison High School Red Devil Classic, at Atkins High School Southwest Arkansas Shootout, at Hope High School
JUNE 17 Benton Panther, at Benton High School Tiger Classic, at Little Rock Central High School
JUNE 20-21 Shootout of the South, at Mighty Bluebird Complex, Little Rock
JUNE 21 Tiger Football Foundation Showcase, at Charleston High School
JULY 9 James King Memorial, at Malvern High School
JULY 11 Oil Town Classic, at Smackover High School
JULY 12 Garrett Uekman Memorial, at War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock Southwest Elite, at Shiloh Christian High School, Springdale
JULY 18 ASU 7-on-7, at Arkansas State University, Jonesboro West Memphis Christian 7-on-7 Showcase, at West Memphis Christian High School
JULY 19 Beast of the East, at Hoxie High School Fountain Lake 7-on-7, at Fountain Lake High School
JULY 25 Wildcat 7-on-7, at El Dorado High School and Memorial Stadium, El Dorado
Coaching changes
SCHOOL 2013 COACH NEW COACH
Blytheville Ben Fisher* Ben Fisher
Cedarville Mark Shelton Kevin Lea
Clarksville Michael Banning Eli Cranor
Drew Central James White Steve Moore
Genoa Central Jon Gosdin* Phillip Brinkley
Gurdon John Pace Kyle Jackson
Heber Springs Steve Janski David Farr
Little Rock Fair Donald Harris, Eric Redmon* TBA
Marion Mark Uhiren Jed Davis
Marshall Kenny Phillips TBA
Mayflower Jed Davis TBA
Mountain Home Benji Mahan David Joyce
Norphlet Doug Means# Dennis Steele
Pocahontas David Wellman* Charles Baty
Rose Bud Steve Rose Kevin Coleman
Quitman Fritz Heidenreich Brett Shrable
Waldron Shane Davis Dale Mann *Interim #Coached Norphlet in 2012. Team didn’t have a varsity program last fall because of insufficient player numbers.
Sports, Pages 27 on 04/06/2014