For Betty Jo Stephens, SpectacUALR certainly lived up to its billing. It helped that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock women's athletics pioneer was the honoree Oct. 9 at the sixth annual event, which benefits Trojan athletics.
Ray Tucker returned as master of ceremonies for the event, which again was held on the court of the school's Jack Stephens Center. While the UALR Jazz Quartet played, guests bid on silent auction items, enjoyed heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, and mingled with event co-chairman Dana Kleine, student athletes and coaches. (Larry Golden, who also co-chaired SpectacUALR, was ill and unable to attend.)
Bob Denman, interim director of athletics, praised the student athletes in his opening remarks. "They represent this community. They represent my hometown. They represent your hometown," he reminded everyone.
UALR Chancellor Joel Anderson introduced Stephens, a former tennis player for the school who returned to then-Little Rock University in 1967 as a physical education teacher and went on to coach tennis, swimming and volleyball before becoming the first women's basketball coach. Stephens eventually became an associate professor of physical education at UALR and served as the women's coordinator in the athletic department.
She thanked everyone "for supporting the Trojans," and was modest about her accomplishments, assuring the audience that "one person never changes anything" before naming other movers and shakers behind the women's athletics program.
A live auction by David Bazzel and Billy Hartnedy included a five-day trip to Sonoma, Calif.; a duck hunt for two; private dinner with the UALR women's basketball team and coaches; a trip to Las Vegas; and a basketball watch party for 20 at the home of Dana and Joe Kleine. The evening also included a wine raffle.
-- Story and photos by
Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 10/19/2014