Long talks about athletic success

Rogers-Lowell chamber hosts annual banquet

NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER Jeff Long, University of Arkansas director of athletics, speaks Friday with Ric Clifford, chamber chairman, during the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers. For photo galleries, go to nwadg.com/photos.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER Jeff Long, University of Arkansas director of athletics, speaks Friday with Ric Clifford, chamber chairman, during the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers. For photo galleries, go to nwadg.com/photos.

ROGERS -- Jeff Long discussed a changing culture in athletics at the University of Arkansas as the guest speaker of the annual Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Friday.

Long started as athletic director at the university in 2007. He said there has been an effort to raise not only the athletic success but also the academic success of athletes since.

At A Glance

The Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce presented community awards during its annual banquet Friday.

• Ambassador of the year: Jill Bright

• Educator hall of fame: Walter Schrader

• Volunteer of the year: Heather Slinkard

• Small business of the year: Shirley’s Flowers

• Rogers-Lowell spirit award: The Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion

• Elbert S. Graham/Elza Tucker award: Mary Beth Matthews

• The Dick Trammel good neighbor award: Rob Brothers

Source: Staff report

"We are not going to be a 'win-at-all-costs' institution," Long said.

Athletes at the school had 2.7- to 2.8-grade point averages about eight years ago, Long said. He said a goal was set for the athletes to meet a 3.2-grade point average. He said it's possible the athletes will meet that goal this semester.

"Just keeping the team eligible is doing nothing but keeping them eligible," Long said.

Graduation rates also are important, Long said. He said about 62 athletes were graduating every year. He said there are about 500 athletes attending the university each year.

"Sixty-two was not good enough," Long said. "This past May we graduated 114 student athletes. That is a change of culture."

Academic success is important to athletic success, Long said.

"We have a lot of fans who only care about winning and winning is good," Long said. "I understand but I think they have to look a little deeper and see how academic success leads to athletic success."

For example, a student who graduates is able to play through their college career, Long said. He said an athlete is unable to play if they drop out after two-years in school.

The event was held at John Q. Hammons Convention Center and attended by business, political and community leaders.

Raymond Burns, chamber president and CEO, said the event is a way to celebrate success.

"The vision of our chamber is to make a positive impact on this region of the state by growing business and building community," Burns said. "Tonight, we celebrate our success and together we will honor our communities, our region and our leaders."

Ric Clifford, chamber chairman, said 2014 saw success in business growth and community building. He said the growth led to more than 1,300 jobs being created in Rogers and Lowell.

New businesses included Longhorn's Steakhouse, Cavendar's, Mercy Downtown Rogers and the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion, Clifford said.

"We experienced diverse capital investments of over $70.3 million in 2014 and expect over $41.2 million over the next three years," Clifford said.

Clifford said the chamber is focused on continuing its economic development "momentum" this year. He said the chamber plans to implement several plans and participate in the Downtown Rogers Master Plan process.

"You'll see new programs and improvements to existing ones as we strive to increase the value of the time and money you invest in the chamber," Clifford said.

NW News on 02/28/2015

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