ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2013
CONTENTS • AD Address/Letter • Significant Accomplishments • Athletics Achievements Top Moments of the Year • Academic Integrity • Rules Compliance • Facility Enhancements Events Hosted • Financial Prudence Budget Purple Circle Corporate Gifts • Student-Athlete Well-Being/Success Life Skills Diversity Gender Community Support
Dear Bear Nation, When assessing the great history of UCA Athletics, it’s difficult to find a year which provided more success than 2012-13. Our third year of active membership in Division I was a banner year for any program regardless the number of years as a DI member. The fact that UCA achieved such success in our infant stage is remarkable and a tribute to our fine student-athletes and coaches. At UCA, we embrace the NCAA DI principles of Academic Integrity, Rules and Governance, Financial Prudence, and Student-Athlete Well-being. These characteristics shape our program as we excel at providing a great place to live, learn, and compete. UCA is a total package program. We succeed in academics, socially, and life skills; while winning championships. Our goal is to provide a wonderful educational experience for our student-athletes which is further enhanced through athletics success. The fondest memories come from our great teams and programs. We want all to have that experience. Our image is very important to our success. Through our branding, facilities, and media; our image is impacted. We will ensure our image elicits a perception of a first-class program. We have been successful due to our re-branding of our logos and trademarks. We have been successful due to our abundant facility improvements over the last six years. We have been successful due to our forethought in social media and communications. We have been successful due to our staff creativity and innovation. UCA Athletics is committed to providing a rewarding student-athlete experience, an enjoyable fan/donor experience, and a professional and classy image. We will do this while contributing to the university’s educational experiences. UCA Athletics cherishes the role it plays on this great educational campus of UCA. We are also dedicated to Academic Vitality, Integrity, and Diversity (AVID), furthering the values and mission of the University of Central Arkansas. Go Bears! Brad Teague, Ph. D. Director of Athletics
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ACADEMICS
The football Bears made it three straight years of APR Success (Academic Progress Rate) finishing with the top score in the Southland Conference and the state of Arkansas. UCA’s football program led the conference for the third consecutive season with a score of 960, one of only two Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools to lead its respective league three consecutive years. The Bears led all Division I football teams in Arkansas as well. The University of Arkansas and Arkansas State had scores of 938, while UAPB scored 907. We placed a league-high 112 student-athletes on the 2012 Southland Conference Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll from the 695 selected from around the conference. McNeese State was second with 95. Eighteen of our student-athletes had a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the fall 2012 semester, and we had 17 honorees in men’s cross country; 20 in women’s cross country; 20 in women’s soccer; 9 in volleyball; and 46 in football.
NCAA REVENUE
The Athletic Department budgeted $450,000 for FY13, which included $68,000 earmarked to academics. The actual FY13 revenue received in June of this year was $842,531 Of the $842,531, $70,000 is for Academics and $187,615 to summer or 5th year scholarships. The remaining amount ($584,916) then to general fund. So almost $400,000 more than budgeted.
FOOTBALL
The University of Central Arkansas Bears football team was co-champion of the Southland Conference in 2012 with a 6-1 league record. Reached the second round of the NCAA Division I Playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Bears also finished in the Top 10 in all the final regular-season polls. UCA finished with a 9-3 overall record, including a victory over national runner-up Sam Houston State. The Bears finished a perfect 6-0 on The Stripes at First Security Field at Estes Stadium, pushing their home record on their colorful turf to 11-0 over two seasons. UCA also hosted two television games from Estes Stadium. Football has hosted the SLC Officiating Clinic annually for 5 consecutive years.
VOLLEYBALL
The UCA Sugar Bears volleyball team won its fourth consecutive Southland Conference East Division title in the fall of 2011. In 2012 volleyball won their 3rd conference championship in the last 4 years and won the SLC Tournament Championship in their 3rd year of eligibility. This was its first SLC Tournament championship ever and was played on campus at the Farris Center, which in turn, earned UCA its first berth in the NCAA National Tournament. The Sugar Bears traveled to Washington to take on the Top 10 Huskies in thefirst round of the national tournament. Also, Sugar Bear volleyball was one of only 7 teams out of 330 D1 programs to win 30 matches, a new school record for victories.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
BASEBALL
TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
The SLC title earned the Bears a berth in the NCAA Starkville Regional where they finished 3-2, losing to host and Top 5 Mississippi State in the championship game.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams sent seven runners each to the NCAA South Central Regional. Two UCA men were named All-South Central Regional by finishing in the top 25 as the Bears were ninth as a team. The UCA women were 16th as a team at the Regional. Both squads were fifth at the SLC Championships.
The Central Arkansas Baseball team burst on the scene in a big way in 2013, taking the Southland Conference Tournament title as a seventh seed, winning five consecutive elimination games in the tournament.
The baseball Bears also earned their first national ranking since moving to NCAA Division I this season, and finished the season at No. 25. UCA won a school-record 42 games, breaking the old mark of 35. Achieved first national ranking since DI move and ranked #25 in final poll.
SOFTBALL
Coach David Kuhn’s Bears softball team finished a two-year run in which it won 74 games; 19 games better than any two-year period in school history. UCA reached the semifinals of the 2013 Southland Conference Tournament and won a school-record 38 games, breaking the mark of 36 set in 2012.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The UCA men’s basketball team, under the direction of Corliss Williamson, earned its first Southland Conference Tournament bid in 2012-13 and finished the regular season with four straight victories, two of those in overtime.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The UCA Sugar Bears basketball team, under the direction of first-year coach Sandra Rushing, made its third straight trip to the Southland Conference postseason tournament and saw the close of the career of Megan Herbert, one of the best players in UCA history.
UCA’s track and cross country teams had solid seasons and boasted outstanding individual performances. In track and field, the UCA women were fifth at the SLC Outdoor and fourth at the Indoor, while the men were ninth at both meets.
GOLF
UCA’s golf program had two student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Regionals. Senior Julia Roth was named the Southland Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year and played in the NCAA Central Regional in Norman, Okla. On the men’s side, sophomore Pep Angles was named the SLC Men’s Golfer of the Year and the SLC Men’s Golf Student-Athlete of the Year as well. He played in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, UCA’s second regional qualifier in three years.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
UCA’s women’s soccer team turned in a record-setting season, doubling its victory total from the previous year with 10 victories and earning its first-ever All-Southland Conference honoree in junior Adriana Lucar.
MEN’S SOCCER
The UCA men’s soccer team won its first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game ever and quadrupled its win total from the 2011 season last fall. UCA, under the direction of Ross Duncan, also placed five players on the All-Missouri Valley teams.
ATHLETICS ACHIEVEMENTS
STUDENT-ATHLETES
Megan Herbert (Women’s Basketball) Southland Player of the Year for the 3rd year in a row, 1st Team All-Conference for the 4th year in a row, and Southland Conference All-Academic. Became all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Arkansas Division I history, moved into 3rd in Division I history in double-doubles, finished career as one of just nine players in Division I history with 2,300 points and 1,400 rebounds, and is 10th-leading rebounder in Division I history. Kelsie Armstrong (Softball) Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year & named to Southland Conference 50th Anniversary Team. Was 4th in nation in strikeouts, and finished her career 66th all-time in Division I history with 1,050 strikeouts, one of just 76 pitchers to eclipse the 1,000 mark. Named All-Region & All-Southland Tournament team. Melanie & Melissa Bryant (Softball) named to Southland Conference 50th Anniversary Team. Melissa Bryant 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team Southland All-Academic - third straight All-Academic season, 2nd Team All-Region. Melanie Bryant All-Southland for 4th straight year, Southland All-Academic 2nd team - third straight year on All-Academic team, school’s career home run, RBI and games started record-holder. Jessica Hays (Volleyball) Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year, named to Southland All-Academic team for 3rd time, All-Southland Conference 1st Team for 2nd time. Marissa Collins (Volleyball) Southland Conference Setter of the Year for 2nd time, All-Southland Conference 1st Team for 2nd time, third time being named All-Conference.
Forrestt Allday (Baseball) 1st Team All-American by Rawlings/ ABCA, Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year, First-Team All-Southland Conference, First-Team All-Region. Forrestt Allday (8th round), Jonathan Davis (15th), Jeffery Enloe (37th) first time three Bears selected in Major League Baseball Draft. Caleb McClanahan (Baseball) First-Team All-Southland Conference and All-Region. Connor Gilmore, Ethan Harris, Michael Marietta & Justin Treece (Baseball) named Starkville Regional All-Tournament Team. Bryce Biggerstaff 2nd no-hitter in program history, Southland Conference All-Academic, All-Southland Honorable Mention Wynrick Smothers (Football) Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year, All-American. Corey Howard (Football) College Sporting News FCS Offensive Lineman of the Year, Southland Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year, All-American, signed as free agent by Atlanta Falcons. Jesse Grandy (Football) 2nd-Team All-American; Dominique Croom signed as free agent by Cleveland Browns. Jonathan Woodard (Football) Southland Conference Freshman of the Year, College Sports Journal FCS Freshman All-American. Seth Allison (Football) third team Sports Network All-American.
ATHLETICS ACHIEVEMENTS
STUDENT-ATHLETES, cont’d
Pep Angles Southland Conference Men’s Golfer of the Year & Student-Athlete of the Year, qualified for NCAA Regional, had one tournament win and six Top-10 finishes. Julia Roth Southland Conference Women’s Golfer of the Year, first in Southland history to be named Golfer of the Month four times in one season, was named to Southland All-Academic team, qualified for NCAA Regional, recorded two wins, was second place four times, and finished in Top 10 of all 10 tournaments, was All-Southland Conference for the third time.
COACHES
Clint Conque (Football) Southland Conference Coach of the Year, Conference Champions Allen Gum (Baseball) school-record 42 wins, first Southland Conference tournament championship & NCAA Regional appearance; 300th career win David McFatrich (Volleyball) Southland Conference Regular-Season & Tournament Champions, program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, program-record 30 wins
Adriana Lucar (Women’s Soccer) named Southland Conference David Kuhn (Softball) school-record 38 wins; 500th career Newcomer of the Year, First Team All-Southland Conference. win Brooke Cassar (Women’s Track) Southland Conference Champion in 5000m & 10,000m Jasmine Ellis (Women’s Track) Southland Conference Heptathlon Champion Erika Setzler (Women’s Track) Southland Conference Steeplechase Champion Tanesha Maxwell (Women’s Track) Southland Conference 60-meter Champion Edward Limo (Men’s Cross Country) Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year, 1st Team All-Southland Conference
Corliss Williamson (Men’s Basketball) Program’s first Southland Conference Tournament appearance Jeremy Bishop (Women’s Soccer) Program Division I season wins record (10) Ross Duncan (Men’s Soccer) Program’s first Division I postseason victory in MVC Tournament Jeff Borengasser (Tennis) Program Division-I record 12 wins and first Southland Conference tournament appearance
TOP HIGHLIGHTS OF 2012-13
Per fan voting in an online competition during the month of July, the following were deemed to be – in order – the top moments of the 201213 school year for UCA athletics. Votes were cast on ucasports.com, @ucasports on Twitter and on the UCA Athletics Facebook page. • Megan Herbert ends storied career with 3rd straight Southland Player of the Year award • Cheerleading wins 2nd straight Small Co-Ed national championship • Volleyball wins Southland Tournament to advance to NCAA Tournament • Baseball wins 5 straight elimination games to claim Southland Tournament title • 3 Bears selected in MLB Draft for first time in program history • Friendswood duo of Forrestt Allday (baseball) & Jessica Hays (volleyball) named Southland Student-Athletes of the Year • Football stages late comeback to knock off No. 3 Sam Houston State & stay unbeaten on The Stripes • Marissa Collins named Southland Setter of the Year for the second time • Baseball defeats host & eventual national runner-up Mississippi State in Starkville Regional • UCA leads way in APR, honor roll and continues to improve department-wide GPA (3.02) • Football makes 2nd round of Division I Playoffs for 2nd consecutive season • Softball shuts out No. 18 Tulsa 1-0 • Women’s Track takes home individual titles at Southland Championships
• Baseball defeats Grambling 30-0 • Football puts together furious rally in 27-26 win at McNeese State to retain Red Beans & Rice Bowl • Baseball takes 2 of 3 from unbeaten Mississippi State in regular-season series • Women’s Soccer turns in best Division I season with 10 wins & Adriana Lucar named Newcomer of the Year • Football wins 4 of 7 Southland individual awards • Melanie Bryant ends Sr. Day with walk-off grand slam • UCA produces All-Americans in baseball & football • Kelsie Armstrong & Bryce Biggerstaff throw no-hitters on back-to-back days for UCA softball & baseball • Men’s Soccer gets 1st MVC Tourney win in best D-I year • Football wins Southland title on Homecoming • Jarvis Garner’s collection of long-range buzzer-beaters • Women’s Basketball beats McNeese in OT for 3rd straight year, spoil Cowgirls’ senior day • Kelsie Armstrong joins exclusive 1,000-strikeout club • Bear Hall Luxury Suites debut for 2012 football season • Golf captures both Male & Female Southland Conference Golfer of the Year awards • Tennis makes 1st Southland tournament, has best Division I season to date • Men’s basketball defeats Lamar in 2OT on ESPN3 for first-ever win in Beaumont
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Athletics programs utilize several metrics to evaluate the success of their student-athletes in academics. Grade Point Average (GPA), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), Federal Graduation Rate (FGR), and Academic Progress Rate (APR) are all part of the evaluation system. As detailed below, UCA has improved significantly in most categories below. The major improvements are in GPA and GSR scores.
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
GPA
2012
Women 3.02
3.03
3.11
3.17
3.16
3.18
Men
2.74
2.75
2.73
2.78
2.79
2.82
Total 2.77
2.85
2.87
2.92
2.94
2.98#
GSR
Women 76% 77% 79% 90% 86% 95%
Men
Total 55% 57% 61% 73% 74% 81%
FGR
Women 58% 56% 60% 61% 55% 58%
Men
Total 48% 54% 49% 51% 53% 50%
Student Body 45% 43% 41% 41% 42% 41%
APR
48% 49% 52% 62% 68% 75%
35% 50% 39% 41% 50% 43%
Women 929
956
947
979
960
980
Men
902
919
938
955
957
955
Total 914
933
941
966
959
966
# Cumulative GPA eclipsed the 3.00 mark after the spring 2012 at 3.02.
COMPLIANCE & FACILITIES
COMPLIANCE SIGNIFICANCE
FACILITY ENHANCEMENTS • 1. Suites at Bear hall
• 1. The most important part of Compliance is that all individuals associated with UCA Athletics promote and support the interest of the athletic department to ensure full compliance with NCAA, Southland Conference and University Rules. • 2. Increased rules education and updates to coaches, staff, boosters, and student-athletes. These updates
• 2. Offices in Bear Hall 4th floor for Athletic Administration • 3. Weight Room and Equipment for Athletes connected to indoor athletic facility • 4. Flooring in Women’s Soccer house and new a video room • 5. Prince Center lobby revamped, volleyball floor
occur in a variety of ways from face to face, email
refurbished, and concrete planters added in front
blasts, website notices, and individual meetings with
of Prince. Locker room updated with loungers, flat
coaches or student athletes.
screen TV, refrigerator, and microwave.
• 3. Conversion to e-filing system for all student-athlete records. • 4. Financial Aid will enter student-athlete data without the assistance of athletics staff. • 5. Four- year Compliance Review with the Southland
• 6. Softball locker room and lockers • 7. Reel Lawnmower and Bagging System • 8. Expansion of Estes Training room • 9. Tennis Court resurfacing • 10. Soccer/Track Lights
Conference office complete with suggestions for
improvement
• 6. Reorganizing departmental manuals over the summer to make them complete and more user friendly. • 7. Compliance Committee will be active for in the Fall 2013 and beyond. • 8. Compliance staff and general counsel will continue semi-annual meetings which began April 2013.
EVENTS HOSTED • Southland Conference Volleyball Tournament consecutive years 2011 & 2012 • Hooten’s High School Football Classic • Arkansas Activities Association All-Star Week
FINANCIAL PRUDENCE
PURPLE CIRCLE ANNUAL FUND UCA Athletics has a strong fundraising arm in the Purple Circle. During the move to Division I, the fund grew over 400%. Membership is strong at 350 members and over $300,000 annually is contributed to the fund for priority seating at football games.
CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS UCA improved its sponsor rate at a similar amount as the private gifts. Over the same time period during the move to Division I, corporate gifts increased by 350%. A new company was hired January 2013 to market the advertising rights to the great businesses of Conway and Little Rock. Already, the group has been a success as they project an increase of 43% over the previous much improved high. Budget
BUDGET UCA and UCA Athletics is committed to reducing the amount of state funding for Athletics while increasing the amount of external funding from ticket sales, fundraising, corporate sponsorships, and NCAA Revenue. This trend is demonstrated below.
Revenue
FY14 FY13
FY12 FY11
Student Fees
5,050,000 52%
5,016,000
4,973,184
Auxiliaries
1,400,000 14%
1,400,000 15%
1,462,407 15% 1,375,481 16%
E&G
1,000,000 10%
1,069,387 11%
1,154,142
12% 1,142,715 13%
External Funds
2,100,000 22%
1,950,000
1,755,490
19%
Federal
126,000 1%
126,000 1%
92,466 1% 113,568 1%
9,676,000 100%
9,561,387
100%
9,437,689
100% 8,844,605 100%
31%
2,843,884
52%
20%
53%
5,053,343
1,159,498
57%
13%
Expenses
Salaries & Fringes
3,000,000 31%
3,000,000 31%
2,933,003
Scholarships
3,150,000 33%
3,000,000 31%
2,850,844 30% 2,696,233 31%
Travel
1,275,000 13%
1,250,000 13%
1,311,588 14% 1,140,164 13%
M&O
900,000 9%
900,000 9%
894,794 9% 857,208 10%
Debt Service
526,000
562,000
604,455
Medical
125,000 1%
125,000 1%
125,966 1% 114,281 1%
Federal
126,000 1%
126,000 1%
92,466 1% 113,568 1%
Facilities
400,000 4%
400,000 4%
389,990 4% 475,247 5%
Other
174,000 2% 198,387 2%
234,583 2% 163,490 2%
9,676,000 100%
9,437,689
5%
9,561,387
6%
100%
6%
420,826
32%
5%
100% 8,824,901 100%
STUDENT-ATHLETE WELL-BEING/SUCCESS
SAAC COMMITTEE • Collected can tabs for Ronald McDonald House – collected 144.5 lbs. • Participated in Operation Christmas Child – providing Christmas presents to children all over the world.
•
• Pancake Breakfast for Samaritan’s Feet. • Help collect money and organize Samaritan’s Feet event at home Basketball game LIFE SKILLS
• • •
AREAS RECOMMENDED BY NCAA
• • • • • • • • •
Alcohol and drug guidelines Personal development Leadership Sexual orientation Diversity Nutrition Personal counseling Gambling Career counseling AREAS COVERED THIS YEAR • Leadership • Branding “You” – the good and bad of social media
• •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
COMMUNITY SERVICE Women’s Soccer Back to School Backpack program – helped distribute backpacks Freezing for a Reason – provided race support Marguerite Vann Elementary School Carnival – helped with games Sallie Cone Fun Day – taught soccer skills Father/Daughter Ball – helped with set up and served TOPS Soccer Football Arkansas Children’s Hospital – made 4 trips in Fall to visit kids Reading at local elementary schools Men’s Soccer TOPS Soccer Marguerite Vann Carnival – helped with games Kids Run Arkansas – helped with race Tennis “Kids Day” – hosted free Tennis Clinic Softball Operation Shoebox Military Appreciation Day Cancer Day Reading in local elementary schools Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army Cheer/Dance BBBS Cinco de Mayo Auction – greeted and served BBBS Bowl for Kids Sake – greeted and cheered Blackbird Academy’s Open Nest Conway Kids Tri – worked finish line & registration Soaring Wings Half Marathon – worked aid station Conway Dazzle Days – worked as elves for Santa Sallie Cone Fun Day – taught cheers & played games DI Sports event – taught cheers & talked about being a student-athlete