SpectacUALR, the annual celebration at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock that benefits the university's student-athletes, hits the court at the Jack Stephens Center on Oct. 9, hosted by the Trojan Athletic Foundation. This year's honoree is Betty Jo Stephens, a former student-athlete, professor and coach at UALR.
Stephens played tennis for only one year at Little Rock Junior College in '50-'52, but she left an indelible mark on women's athletics at the school.
After receiving a bachelor's degree in physical education from Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas) and a master's in physical education from the University of Missouri, Stephens returned to the athletic department of then-Little Rock University in 1967. As the only woman in the department, she eventually took on women's tennis, volleyball, basketball and the swim team.
During her tenure, Stephens served as assistant professor of physical education and coach, but also became the women's coordinator for the athletic department. She was the first-ever coach of the women's basketball team, from 1969 to 1973. The Betty Jo Stephens Women's Athletic Fund was established in 2008 in her honor.
Stephens is an inductee of the UALR Department of Athletics Hall of Fame, a member of the Trojan Lettermen's Club and a recipient of President's Award from the UALR Alumni Association.
CAPTAINS OF THE TEAM
Serving as co-chairmen for SpectacUALR are Dana Kleine and Larry Golden.
Kleine is the wife of UALR assistant basketball coach, Joe Kleine, who enjoyed a successful 15-year career in the National Basketball Association. The Kleines bought a house in Little Rock in 1989 for use during Joe's off-seasons with the NBA, and moved to Little Rock permanently when he retired in 2000. In 2007, Joe joined the basketball coaching staff at UALR. He and Dana have four children, Daniel, Courtney, Mallory and William, a mentor child LaNorris Dukes and a new daughter-in-law, Morgan.
The Kleines are co-owners of Corky's BBQ in Little Rock, which opened in 1996, and a North Little Rock location, which was added in 2005. In addition to volunteer work, Dana works with Rodan & Fields Dermatologists, promoting their skin care products.
Like Betty Jo Stephens, Larry Golden was a UALR student-athlete. He was recruited by swim coach John Torbett and graduated with a psychology degree in 1982. He is the owner of Golden Collision Center, which he started in 1996. Golden is a member of the Trojan Lettermen's Association. He continues to swim competitively as a member of the Arkansas Masters. His wife, Debbie, is a nurse at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Arkansas Heart Hospital. His daughter, Leslie, is a policy analyst in Washington.
Had Coach Torbett not offered Golden an athletic scholarship to attend UALR, Golden is not sure he would have been able to obtain a college degree. He says he supports UALR and its athletic program because it "has given so much to me."
Golden is also an old friend of Stephens, having known her since 1980.
"She is truly a pioneer for women's sports at UALR," he said. "A wonderful woman. Determined, compassionate, supportive and a good friend to many student-athletes over the years."
SIXTH FUNDRAISER
The Kleine-Golden team promises a fun evening.
"This is the sixth SpectacUALR," says Leah Thorvilson, director of athletic development at UALR. "It's not a stuffy kind of event. It's sports-oriented and lots of fun."
Kleine agrees.
"We'll have tables set up on the [basketball] court -- a number of companies buy corporate tables -- but there will also be stand-up cocktail tables. We'll serve heavy hors d'oeuvres prepared by Simply the Best with food provided by Ben E. Keith. Libations are coming from Glazer's and Diamond Bear Brewery. We want people to mix and mingle."
Also mixing and mingling will be current student-athletes, who will be identified by their polo shirts. They are the main beneficiaries of the event. The proceeds of SpectacUALR help provide athletic scholarships to these students, as well as increase scholarships that are not fully funded. In addition, funds will be used to upgrade facilities and supplement the budget for team travel to games and other competitions.
"UALR does more than just give these athletes an opportunity to play sports," Kleine says. "They really prepare the students for life after sports. They provide etiquette classes so they know how to act and respond in real-life situations."
Adding a little background music to the festivities will be the UALR Jazz Ensemble.
Last year's SpectacUALR drew approximately 700 supporters and raised about $220,000. Kleine and Golden hope for more attendees and more money raised. "You always wanted more, more," Kleine said, laughing.
Golden Collision Center is the presenting sponsor of the event.
Ray Tucker, executive director of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, will serve as emcee. David Bazzel and Billy Hartnedy will oversee the live auction.
The silent auction committee has worked overtime to garner close to 200 items, as varied as sports memorabilia, like a basketball autographed by Larry Bird; private dining parties; and brewery tours with dinner and tastings. Local artists have donated artwork. There are wine baskets. The Alluvian Hotel in Greenwood, Miss., is offering a night's lodging and a class at the Viking Cooking School.
Golden confesses that two live auction items have caught his eye. One is a trip to Las Vegas with the Trojan basketball team for the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in December. "But there's also a five-night golf trip to the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club on Oahu that might be fun," he added. "Sounds like I will be busy that night!"
SpectacUALR is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 in Jack Stephens Center at UALR. Tickets are $75 per person, and can be bought online at ualrtrojans.com/SpectacUALR or at the door. Dress is business casual. For more information, contact Leah Thorvilson at (501) 569-3393 or lmthorvilson@ualr.edu.
High Profile on 09/28/2014