- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock to Honor Dora Jane and Greg Flesher in 2022 SpectacuaLR

John Hill — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 13:44:02 +0000

Little Rock Athletics is proud to announce that Dora Jane and Greg Flesher will serve as the honorees for the 14th Annual SpectacuaLR event benefitting Trojan Athletics. The annual gala and fundraiser is set for Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Jack Stephens Center. “Both Dora Jane and Greg Flesher have been long-time friends and supporters of Little Rock Athletics, as well as our university,” said Director of Athletics George Lee. “They are well known in the Little Rock community as a family that is always committing time and energy to the betterment of our community, and that includes being supporters of Trojan Athletics for several decades. I am excited we get to honor these two wonderful friends of Little Rock Athletics at this year’s SpectacuaLR.” Ever since providing housing for former assistant tennis coach Peter Svenson back in 1986, the Fleshers have been generous in the giving of their time and resources to supporting Little Rock Athletics. They have been season ticket holders since basketball games were played at the old Trojan Fieldhouse and attending as many games as possible at the former ALLTEL Arena (now Simmons Bank Arena) and the Jack Stephens Center. Their support of the university extends campus wide as both Dora Jane and Greg have served on the university’s Foundation Fund Board. “Dora Jane and I are both so honored and so excited to be asked to be this year’s SpectacuaLR honorees,” Greg Flesher said. “We are always so proud of the achievements of all of our Trojan student-athletes. To be recognized like this is a wonderful honor, and we are so thankful for the recognition from Little Rock Athletics.” A certified public accounting and assurance services member, Greg Flesher is in his 45th year at Frost PLLC, a certified public accounting firm that has an office in Little Rock and Fayetteville as well as in four other states. He has been active in supporting groups around the Capital City as he is the current president of the George W. Donaghey Foundation and is past president of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Repertory Theater, and the Downtown Rotary Club 99 of Little Rock. Frost PLLC is where Greg met his future wife Dora Jane as she began working there a year after Greg started. She would go on to work at BKD and Jacuzzi Brothers before starting her own accounting firm, then went on to volunteer as the chief financial officer at Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (PARK). The couple is also active in their church, and Dora Jane serves as co-chair of their church’s sponsorship of an Afghan refugee family of 10 relocating to Little Rock. Dora Jane also has served on boards with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Foundation (serving as a past president), PARK Foundation, and the Single Parent Scholarship Fund. Dora Jane Flesher graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting while Greg Flesher is an alumnus of Hendrix College with a Bachelor of Arts in business with an emphasis in accounting. The couple has three children, all married, with two grandchildren and a third expected in November. Over the past 13 years, SpectacuaLR has brought in nearly $3 million since its inaugural event in 2009. These generous donations are used to help fund the 15 Trojan athletic programs, annually benefitting over 270 student-athletes who represent Little Rock Athletics and Little Rock’s Team. To reserve a table or order your tickets for SpectacuaLR 2022, or for more information on how to become a sponsor, please contact Tyson Baldwin, Little Rock’s associate athletic director for external operations, at 501-350-4653 or twbaldwin@ualr.edu.

SpectacuaLR Raises More than $433,000 for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Student-Athletes in Record-Setting Night

John Hill — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 16:25:10 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock raised more than $433,000 to support the university’s over 270 Trojan student-athletes during a record-setting night for on Oct. 7. The 13th annual SpectacuaLR event honored Cindy and Warren Simpson, long-time supporters of Trojan Athletics and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Warren Simpson currently serves on the Trojan Athletic Council, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors, and is a past president of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Foundation Board. “We are so grateful and appreciative of everything Cindy and Warren have done for our department and their support of our Little Rock student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics George Lee. “It’s only fitting that with everything they’ve done that this year’s event set the record for money raised. It certainly would not have possible without their continued help and support.” This year, The Massey Family Charitable Foundation, Harriet A. and Warren C. Stephens, Dillard’s, and Becky and Gus Blass served as presenting sponsors for the event, which brought in more than 600 attendees that had the opportunity to meet and talk with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock student-athletes for whom these funds will directly benefit. This year’s event also featured a casino theme, with Fisher Court transforming into a SpectacuaLR casino with attendees able to redeem their chips for raffle tickets. “��Vlog��ý Little Rock serves as a strong economic engine for our local economy and what is best for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Little Rock Athletics is best for our city,” Warren Simpson said. Over the past 13 years, SpectacuaLR has raised nearly $3 million since its inaugural event in 2009. Those generous donations are used to help fund the 15 Trojan athletic programs, benefiting more than 270 student-athletes that represent Little Rock’s Team.

Spectac��Vlog��ýLR to Honor Warren and Cindy Simpson

John Hill — Thu, 20 May 2021 14:14:30 +0000

Little Rock Athletics is excited to announce Warren and Cindy Simpson as the honorees for the 13th annual Spectac��Vlog��ýLR event benefiting Little Rock Athletics on Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. “Warren has been a tremendous friend and supporter of Little Rock athletics and our university,” said Director of Athletics George Lee. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to honor Warren and Cindy for their service and what they have meant to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Warren played an instrumental role in making the Jack Stephens Center become a reality. “I still remember it like it was yesterday. Warren, myself, then Men’s Basketball Head Coach Porter Moser, Chris Peterson along with Warren Stephens toured the fieldhouse on campus. At the time the discussion was to renovate it for us to play in. During that visit is where the idea of a brand-new arena came about and that doesn’t happen without Warren being such a strong advocate for our program.” Simpson has been a longtime supporter for Trojan Athletics and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He currently serves on the Trojan Athletic Council, the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Board of Visitors and is a past president of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Foundation Board. In addition to serving the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus, Simpson has served as an ambassador to many Little Rock and central Arkansas organizations, including as a past president and treasurer of the Easter Seals Foundation Board, past president of Little Rock Downtown Partnership, and chairman of the Advertising and Promotion Commission. He has also served on the board of the War Memorial Stadium Commission, Fifty for the Future and the Episcopal Collegiate School Board. Simpson currently serves as executive vice president of Stephens Inc., managing director of Stephens Capital Management and member of the Stephens Choice Investment Committee. He has been in the investment business since 1982 and with Stephens since 1987. Simpson served as director of investments for Stephens Sports Management from 1990 to 1994. “Cindy and I are both so excited and appreciative to be asked to be this year’s Spectac��Vlog��ýLR honorees,” Simpson said. “We both care so much for Little Rock and believe that what is good for the university and Little Rock Athletics is best for the city. “Dr. Ted Bailey, who I consider my second dad, was really who got me involved with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. He knew that this university serves as a strong economic engine for the economy and health of our city. He instilled that importance in me, and Cindy and I are both so grateful to be able to support and represent the university.” In addition to his long-standing ties with the university, Warren has also been a longtime friend with Head Coach Darrell Walker. “Darrell and I have been friends close to 30 years since the Stephens Sports Management days back in 1991 or 92,” Warren said. “I can’t tell you how much I think of Darrell not only professionally but both he and Lisa personally as well. They’ve both been such great friends and I am so excited about the future of Trojan basketball.” “I’ve known Warren for a long time and proud to call him a friend,” Walker said. “He has done so many things behind the scenes for this university, and I can’t think of a better way to honor and recognize Warren and Cindy than having them be the honorees for this year’s Spectac��Vlog��ýLR.” Over the past 12 years, Spectac��Vlog��ýLR has brought in more than $2.5 million since its inaugural event in 2009. These generous donations are used to help fund the 15 Trojan athletic programs, annually benefitting more than 240 student-athletes who represent Little Rock athletics. The year’s event will feature a new twist with a casino night. Every ticket holder will receive chips that can be used to play games to win tickets for prizes. There will also be a silent and live auction with items ranging from memorabilia, gift packages and one-of-a-kind experiences. All proceeds from the event directly support Little Rock student-athletes. To order a table for Spectac��Vlog��ýLR 2021, or for more information on how to become a sponsor, contact Melinda Spradling, director of athletic development, at (501) 414-3220 or via email at mkspradling@.

Little Rock Athletics To Hold Virtual Spectac��Vlog��ýLR 2020

John Hill — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 21:08:41 +0000

Little Rock Athletics is excited to present the 12th annual Spectac��Vlog��ýLR event benefiting Little Rock Trojan student-athletes. This year’s event will be done virtually with an online auction beginning on Nov. 27 and culminating with a virtual presentation on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. This year’s event will have a different look and feel due to COVID-19. In lieu of the traditional honoree, this year’s event will be all about Trojan student-athletes as we honor those from both the present and the past. “Spectac��Vlog��ýLR is one of the cornerstones of our Athletic Department each year and is a tremendous revenue generator for us financially,” said Director of Athletics George Lee. “We would not be able to provide many of the resources we are able to for all of our athletic programs without the funds brought in from Spectac��Vlog��ýLR. In a year with rising costs associated with COVID-19, we are calling on all Trojan fans, alumni and families to take part this year and help us to provide the resources for our student-athletes to compete for championships on the court and in the classroom.” The Dec. 3 ceremony will highlight current Trojan student-athlete successes as well as that of former Trojan letterwinners. The week-long auction will feature unique auction items, ranging from memorabilia, gift packages, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Each ticket purchased for the event will come with a Spectac��Vlog��ýLR swag bag, filled with treats and fun Trojan items to help celebrate our student-athletes during the virtual event. “This has been a difficult year for all, but we are excited for this event to coincide with the beginning of our men’s and women’s basketball seasons,” Lee said. “We see this as a celebration to honor and commemorate our current student-athletes as well as our former Trojan letterwinners. We hope that you will join us for this year’s Spectac��Vlog��ýLR and help us celebrate the history of Trojan Athletics.” Over the past 11 years, Spectac��Vlog��ýLR has brought in nearly $2.5 million since its inaugural event in 2009. These generous donations are used to help fund the 15 Trojan athletic programs, benefiting over now 270 student-athletes who represent Little Rock’s Team. Tickets can be . For more information on how to become a sponsor, contact Melinda Spradling 501-414-3220 or via email at mkspradling@ualr.edu.

Hatcher Wrestling Center open house set for Sept. 25

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 19:54:59 +0000

Little Rock Athletics will host the grand opening of the Greg L. Hatcher Wrestling Center at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25. This public event will allow guests to view this new facility and meet ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s wrestling coach and team. The facility provides a state-of-the-art home for the Trojan wrestling program and is considered to be one of the best in the nation. The wrestling center is over 16,000 square feet, featuring four wrestling mats comprising the interior. Coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a lounge for players, training room, and a weight room will all be housed in the facility. “The Greg Hatcher Wrestling Center is one of a kind,” said head coach . “It will be rivaled by none and envied by all. This is a direct reflection of who Mr. Hatcher is and what this program is. We are forever grateful for Greg and his contribution to our program and wrestling as a whole.” The Hatcher Wrestling Center will also feature a pair of outdoor patio areas, which will be utilized by the campus community, giving a place for students, faculty and staff to meet and socialize. The facility is adjacent to the Donaghey Athletic Center on the south end of campus, a space where the old tennis courts were located. The following night, Greg and Lee Hatcher will be honored at this year’s Spectac��Vlog��ýLR on Thursday, Sept. 26, the annual event benefiting all Little Rock student-athletes. For table and sponsorship information, contact at 501-350-4653 or twbaldwin@ualr.edu. Tickets are still available here. Little Rock is one of the nation’s newest Division I wrestling programs and the only one in the state of Arkansas. The Trojans, who will compete in the Pac 12 Conference, will begin their inaugural season in November with the full schedule expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Season tickets for the historic first Trojan wrestling season are available by contacting at (501) 569-3393. Limited matside seats are still available as well.

Spectac��Vlog��ýLR 2018 to honor Cathy and Kevin Crass

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 13:35:31 +0000

Little Rock Athletics will reach a milestone this fall, hosting its 10th annual Spectac��Vlog��ýLR. Cathy and Kevin Crass have been selected as the honorees for this year’s event, being held Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Jack Stephens Center. “As we embark on our 10th Spectac��Vlog��ýLR, Chancellor Rogerson and I felt we needed a home run with this year’s honorees and we have that in Cathy and Kevin Crass,” said Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “The Crass family means so much to not only Little Rock Athletics, but the entire university. “Serving in countless capacities to help advance Trojan Athletics and ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Kevin and Cathy’s have a deep love for #LittleRocksTeam, which is evident in their everyday life. We are indebted to them for their passion, compassion, and advocacy for our student-athletes and coaches and their willingness to answer the call every time we need their support.” An avid supporter, ambassador, community leader and benefactor, Kevin has been an active figure for both the Little Rock community and Trojan Athletics for over 30 years. He has served on numerous boards and councils, most recently serving a two-year term as chair of the Trojan Advisory Council. Kevin has joined Ray Tucker on Little Rock men’s basketball radio broadcasts for the past two seasons. Together with his wife, Cathy, the two have been instrumental figures in the growth of the Trojan Athletics department in recent years, highlighted by the establishment of the Kevin Crass Heart of a Trojan Award in 2017. The award is given annually to a Little Rock student-athlete based on community service, leadership and dedication to his or her team. Kevin earned his law degree from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 1984. He is a senior partner at Friday Eldredge & Clark, a law firm based in Little Rock. Kevin serves as the chair of the War Memorial Stadium Commission and is vice chair of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. Cathy has also been an active member of the Little Rock community, serving on the board of the ��Vlog��ýMS Reynolds Institute on Aging. She is a past president of the Little Rock Garden Club and a Stephen Ministry Leader at Second Presbyterian Church. “Our involvement with Little Rock Athletics has resulted in a real blessing to our family,” Kevin said. “As a former college student-athlete, I know from personal experience that support of intercollegiate athletics has a dramatic impact on the lives of young men and women. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the Trojans are also a critical part of the life of this community. Cathy and I are humbled to be honored as a part of Spectac��Vlog��ýLR and we hope it is a way to enhance our support of the program.” Spectac��Vlog��ýLR has become one of the marquee events for the Little Rock Athletic Department in the past nine years, raising over $1.9 million since its inception in 2009. Those donations are used to help fund the 14 Trojan athletic programs, benefitting the nearly 200 student-athletes who represent Little Rock’s team. The evening will once again feature unique silent and live auction items, ranging from memorabilia, gift packages and one-of-a-kind experiences. All of the proceeds directly support Little Rock student-athletes. To order a table for Spectac��Vlog��ýLR 2018 or for information on how to become a sponsor, contact , Little Rock’s Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, at 501-569-3382 or via email at egsilakowski@ualr.edu. More about the event can be found on the under Inside Athletics at LRTrojans.com.

Spectac��Vlog��ýLR raises over $228k for Trojans Athletics

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:07:11 +0000

The eighth annual Spectac��Vlog��ýLR raised more than $228,000 for student-athletes at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Presented by Triple-S Alarm, Spectac��Vlog��ýLR enjoyed tremendous success as over 500 people attended the Oct. 13 event at Jack Stephens Center and raised the second-largest total in the event’s history. “The success of Spectac��Vlog��ýLR 2016 will certainly have a significant impact on our student-athletes again this year,” Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “We are most grateful to all of our sponsors, especially presenting sponsor Triple-S Alarm for their continued commitment to this event and our student-athletes.” Marilyn and Greg Brown were recognized as Spectac��Vlog��ýLR’s honorees. The Browns’ name is prominently displayed at the Jack Stephens Center, as the building’s Academic Success Center for Student Athletes was dedicated in their name in 2009. They also provide their home to the Little Rock men’s golf team on a near-annual basis when the team travels to Utah for tournaments. The Browns recently hosted the Trojan golf team for its tournament in Utah, in addition to trips in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2015.

Spectac��Vlog��ýLR’s honorees, Greg and Marilyn Brown, are photographed with Athletics Director Chasse Conque.

The success of this year’s event was made possible in large part due to the efforts of the Spectac��Vlog��ýLR committee, led by co-chairs Mary Katherine Henderson and Mike Castleberry. “The Department of Athletics appreciates all our friends, fans, and alumni that were in attendance as it was a special night celebrating the Little Rock Trojans,” Conque said. “Last night’s event was another example of our city rallying around the Trojans, and we continue to be grateful for the outpouring of support for Little Rock’s Team.” The $228,000 will play a major role in helping the Department of Athletics enhance the student-athlete experience at Little Rock. Spectac��Vlog��ýLR has now raised more than $1.7 million since its inception in 2009.

Spectac��Vlog��ýLR to honor the Browns Oct. 13

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 17:45:06 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s eighth annual Spectac��Vlog��ýLR will honor Greg and Marilyn Brown Thursday, Oct. 13. Spectac��Vlog��ýLR, which raises money for , is set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Jack Stephens Center. The event will be presented by Triple S Alarm. The honorees are tremendous benefactors of the Little Rock athletic program as well as alumni of the university. Their name is prominently displayed at the Jack Stephens Center, as the building’s Academic Success Center for Student Athletes was dedicated in their name in 2009. “Marilyn and Greg Brown’s association with our university and Trojan Athletics dates back many years,” said Little Rock Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “Their passion for the Little Rock Trojans and sincere interest in the well-being of our student-athletes is evident by their continued support. I am thrilled they have accepted our invitation to honor them this year for their many contributions to Little Rock athletics.” The Browns also provide their home to the Little Rock men’s golf team on a near-annual basis when the team travels to Utah for tournaments. The Browns hosted the Trojan golf team in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, and 2015. Furthering their commitment to education, the Browns also participated in the creation and continue to support the Benton Learning Center from the 1990s to the present day. “When Chasse told us we had been selected as the 2016 Spectac��Vlog��ýLR honorees, our reaction was, ‘Why us?’ the Browns said. “We left Arkansas eight years ago, but we discovered that the Trojan spirit never left us. We are thrilled and humbled by this honor. We look forward to working with Chasse and his staff to make this the most successful Spectac��Vlog��ýLR ever.” Over the last seven years, Spectac��Vlog��ýLR has raised nearly $1.5 million in support of Little Rock student-athletes. This year’s event will be led by co-chairs Mary Katherine Henderson and Mike Castleberry. The evening will feature unique silent and live auction items with all proceeds directly impacting Little Rock’s current student-athletes. Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the attire will be business casual. Tickets for the event are $75. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact at 501.569.3382 or tmwhipple@ualr.edu. Fans are able to purchase tickets online at this link. More information about the Browns: Greg Brown got his Bachelor of Business Administration from ��Vlog��ýLR, then Little Rock University, in 1970. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from ��Vlog��ýLR in 1976. Greg Brown served on the university’s Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2001 to 2010, the Foundation Board from 2005 to 2010, and the Board of Visitors from 2001 to 2010. Marilyn Brown graduated from ��Vlog��ýLR in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She was named the Outstanding General Business Student. During the senior year of Little Rock basketball great Derek Fisher in 1995-96, Marilyn Brown worked closely with head coach Wimp Sanderson. Marilyn Brown served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2001 to 2010 and on the Athletic Foundation Board of Directors from 2007 to 2009.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock to Honor Dora Jane and Greg Flesher in 2022 SpectacuaLR

SpectacuaLR Raises More than $433,000 for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Student-Athletes in Record-Setting Night

Spectac����Vlog��ýLR to Honor Warren and Cindy Simpson

Little Rock Athletics To Hold Virtual Spectac����Vlog��ýLR 2020