It was an historic moment and one that hundreds will never forget.
The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inducted the undefeated 1970 Arkansas State football team last Friday, and more than 30 members of that team and more than 500 others crowded into ASU's Centennial Hall for the ceremony.
It was the first Hall of Fame induction ceremony held outside of central Arkansas, and the Red Wolves -- who probably still call themselves Indians -- became only the third team to be inducted in the Hall of Fame.
By all accounts it was an amazing night, and 99 percent of the credit goes to Nelson Catalina, who spent more than a year working on this banquet. The former ASU head basketball coach spent countless hours tracking down former players, coaches and making arrangements.
Catalina, who played basketball at Ouachita Baptist, has become an A-State man over the years.
Including a 38-21 victory over Central Missouri in the Pecan Bowl, the 11-0 ASU team outscored opponents 361-110 and held five opponents to one touchdown or less.
A school-record six players were drafted by the NFL or CFL from that team. All-Americans Bill Phillips, Wayne Dorton, Dennis Meyer and Calvin Harrell (a two time All-American) were joined by Steve Lockhart and James Hamilton in the draft.
Every coach and player received a special introduction by Hall of Fame historian Jim Rasco, who has earned a reputation as a knowledgeable and passionate man who introduces not only the inductees to the Hall of Fame but also the speakers at the Little Rock Touchdown Club.
The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame changed its by-laws a few years ago to include team inductions. The first team inducted was the Arkansas Razorbacks' 1964 football national championship team and the second was the Razorbacks' 1994 basketball championship team.
A fall event is planned for next year to induct Joe Foley's national championship teams from Arkansas Tech, and that event will be in Russellville.
Sen. Keith Ingram, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame president, spoke and shared that the organization's primary mission is to induct athletes, coaches, officials and others involved with sports, but now there is a secondary mission -- scholarships.
Last Friday was a historic moment in Jonesboro, and everyone honored was very deserving.
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There is a huge golf tournament being played this weekend in Arkansas.
The El Dorado Shootout is part of the LPGA Symetra Tour, home of the rising stars in women's golf, and will be played at Mystic Creek, which is reportedly the toughest course in Arkansas and was listed in 2013 as one of the best new golf courses by Golf Digest.
The tournament is sponsored by Murphy USA and presented by Pepsico. A total purse of $100,000 is guaranteed, and the winner will walk away with $15,000, which is really good on this tour.
Many of these young ladies travel by car from tournament to tournament, sharing expenses, staying in inexpensive hotels and working hard at their game.
Some of the tour's sites have volunteers who offer players rooms in their homes, and of course El Dorado will do the same.
Judging by the people involved in this tournament it will be a first-class event, just as it usually is when the Murphys are involved. If anyone has a bad experience, chances are they were looking for one.
The opening round is Friday for the field of 144, and admission is free every day through the final round Sunday.
Sports on 09/23/2015