He was 16 when he left home, recruited to the United States to play baseball and pursue an education. It meant leaving behind family, familiarity and everything he had ever known.

In a new country, baseball was his one constant.

It became his balance, carrying him through the early years of adjustment 鈥� learning a new environment, building a new routine and figuring out life away from home. But Cano understood this was more than a chance to play college baseball in the United States. It was an opportunity to earn a degree.

Cano is graduating with a degree in criminal justice, a career path he plans to pursue when his playing days are over.

鈥淚 know there will be life after baseball,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he reason I chose criminal justice is I鈥檝e always been fascinated with how law and the process of law works. And I have a lot of respect for law enforcement and what they do.鈥�

Baseball opened the door for Cano, but his education will carry him forward long after his playing days.

鈥淚 always know baseball isn鈥檛 going to be everything,鈥� Cano said. 鈥淚 came to the United States when I was 16 because of baseball, and I鈥檓 still doing what I love. But the reality is, if I would鈥檝e stayed in Colombia, this probably wouldn鈥檛 have happened.鈥�

Cano came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as a transfer student-athlete from Western Oklahoma State University. As a Trojan, he鈥檚 continuing to build on the foundation he laid for himself since he began playing the sport. Since his arrival in the U.S., he鈥檚 spent time learning how to adjust to the changes. But baseball was familiar and kept him focused. Over the past two seasons, he has become a steady presence for the Trojans, taking on a larger role in 2025 despite missing time due to injury. This season, he鈥檚 playing a major role, hitting .321 with 52 hits and seven home runs across 42 games, providing a reliable, steady presence in the middle of the lineup while anchoring first base with a .985 fielding percentage.

That steadiness, he said, didn鈥檛 come from avoiding challenges, but from learning how to move through them. Moving away from his native country at 16 forced him to grow up quickly.

鈥淭he biggest challenge was being away from home,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 had to grow up real fast. Colombia is a developing country, so coming here and seeing all of this 鈥� it鈥檚 a dream for a lot of people. As long as you put in the work, it鈥檚 a dream that could last forever.鈥�

Over time, that perspective shaped how he approaches everything around him. Baseball, school, and daily life all require the same mindset: adjust, reset, and keep moving forward.

鈥淚鈥檓 a baseball player, and that鈥檚 my mindset in class,鈥� Cano said. 鈥淚 view everything as a challenge that I have to solve.鈥�

Baseball, he said, has shaped how he handles challenges when they come.

鈥淏aseball taught me endurance and patience with challenges,鈥� Cano said. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 struggling with an assignment, I have to figure out the best way to get out of it. It made me a critical thinker.鈥�

That鈥檚 also how Cano views leadership: not in speeches or titles, but in how a team responds when things don鈥檛 go perfectly.

鈥淓veryone will have a bad day, and it鈥檚 up to your team to pick you up when you do,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he team is most successful when everyone can step up for each other.鈥�

During the thrilling 2025 NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, Cano put together the best stretch of his college career. Over five games, he had 10 hits, four home runs, and drove in 15 runs, earning Most Valuable Player honors. He homered in three straight games, including a two-run shot in the second inning against host and top-ranked LSU that helped spark Little Rock鈥檚 regional semifinal win. That swing later earned Play of the Year at the Trojan TOP Awards, where Cano was also named Baseball MVP.

As graduation approaches, Cano said he is aware of how far he has come 鈥� and how many people back home are part of that journey with him.

鈥淭his is the dream,鈥� he said. 鈥淣o matter why you鈥檙e here, this is the dream 鈥� to do it in the United States.鈥�

For him, that dream has meant responsibility, change, and growth, but also gratitude.

鈥淚t鈥檚 cool for the experience of another country and the environment,鈥� Cano said. 鈥淏ut you still have to take care of school. It鈥檚 why you鈥檙e here. For my family and friends back home, this is everything to them for me to be doing this, and I don鈥檛 take it for granted.鈥�

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“I have always been a big fan of school, for as long as I can remember,” she said. “I truly believe that school is both a challenge and a form of preparation that helps you grow into a disciplined human being.”

Martinez earned a double bachelor’s degree in business administration and communications with an emphasis in journalism from the University of the Cumberlands in 2024. For the Little Rock resident, education reflects the discipline, effort, and accountability required for success.

“A degree represents the hard work you鈥檝e invested in gaining knowledge and holding yourself accountable,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat said, earning my master鈥檚 degree has always been a dream of mine.”

During her time in graduate school at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Martinez has balanced multiple responsibilities. She is a full-time student and part-time graduate assistant. She also worked for the Arkansas Business Publishing Group during the summer and fall semesters.

“I鈥檝e been lucky enough to earn my master鈥檚 while having two jobs that not only helped pay for my education but also allowed me to meet extraordinary people,” she said.

Throughout a demanding schedule, Martinez said the support of others helped her stay grounded.

“I鈥檝e had incredible bosses, professors, family, and friends who made this juggle easier than I expected,” she said. “Easy? No, it wasn鈥檛, but nothing in life that is worth it is easy. Everything comes with challenges and struggles, but that is the beauty of life.”

One of her most meaningful experiences was coaching the university鈥檚 鈥� a role she initially stepped into without knowing how much it would shape her.

Before coming to Little Rock, Martinez had swum for four years as an undergrad on a scholarship.

鈥淚 wanted to explore coaching because my dad was my swim coach for 20 years, and I wanted to do the same thing he did for me 鈥� for other people,鈥� she said.

What began as exploration soon became one of the most rewarding parts of her graduate experience.

“Over the past two years, I have experienced firsthand how impactful it can be to coach someone into becoming the best version of themselves,” she said. “The fact that the 30-plus women I met along the way allowed me to be part of their growth is something I will always be grateful for.”

Nathan Townsend, the team’s head coach, said Martinez worked as a graduate assistant and has been a cornerstone of the swimming program. She has shown a top work ethic, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

鈥淓milia is someone I trust deeply, not only because of how hard she works, but because of the insight and perspective she brings to every situation,鈥� he said. 鈥淒uring challenging moments, her steady presence and mindset helped guide our team forward and played a meaningful role in our success.鈥�

Martinez credits her parents, sister, and boyfriend with encouraging her to believe in herself and pursue her dreams while far from home. After graduation, she plans to work in FedEx鈥檚 sales enablement department, focusing on project management and communications content. 

During her college experience, Martinez gained insights she wants to share with other students.

“Don鈥檛 let fear stop you from doing the thing that scares you the most,” she said. “That is how I approached these last two years while pursuing my master鈥檚. I stepped out of my shell to build real connections with my professors and allowed them to challenge me through different classes and assignments.”

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Hodge, a native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Manatt, a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, were both introduced to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock through athletics. Hodge competes in jumps for Little Rock Track and Field, while Manatt is a pole vaulter.

The couple will compete on the day of the university鈥檚 official commencement ceremony but plan to participate in the Athletics ceremony the following Monday. Their wedding is set for Thursday, May 21.

鈥淚 am absolutely stoked to start this new chapter. I鈥檓 going to miss vaulting and running track, having a team, etc., but this new chapter is so exciting! Having a degree and chasing another, and getting to do that with my wife鈥攕ign me up!鈥� Manatt said.

Hodge learned of the Donaghey Scholars Program and decided to apply to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 was drawn to the scholarship opportunities, the chance to compete in track and field at the collegiate level, and the opportunity to study abroad through the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program,鈥� Hodge said. 鈥淏ecause of the DSHP funding and study abroad, I was able to continue studying Spanish in addition to my biology and pre-med studies, which has opened so many doors and allowed me to pursue new volunteer opportunities in the medical field that I would otherwise not have been able to.鈥� 

Manatt said his understanding of the university expanded during his athletic visit.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until I came on my athletic visit that I learned about all the opportunities like Chancellor鈥檚 Leadership Corps (CLC), Chi Alpha, and so much more. I fell in love with how close-knit the track team was and how much the coaches and admin really cared for the program and all the athletes,鈥� Manatt said. 鈥溙切腣log传媒 Little Rock has so many opportunities for students to graduate with no student loans, and with grad school in mind, that was huge for my family,鈥� 

Hodge is graduating with a double major in Spanish and biology, while Manatt is graduating with a degree in biology.

鈥淭hrough personal and volunteering experiences, I came to see a significant need for compassionate, culturally competent healthcare in our communities and realized that medical school will give me the opportunity to one day fill this need,鈥� Hodge said.

Sutton was inspired to pursue physical therapy during his time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚 wanted to help people like me who have had injuries, back problems, health issues鈥攁ll of the above. I want to be someone who can make a difference. In my years here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, I鈥檝e had so many different injuries, but each one of them I鈥檝e been able to come back stronger because of our ATs (athletic trainers) and PTs (physical therapists),鈥� Manatt said.

Both Hodge and Manatt reflected on moments during their time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock that made them especially proud. For Hodge, studying abroad in Valencia, Spain, stands out as a defining experience.

鈥淥ne moment that has made me especially proud academically and personally was when I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. After a couple weeks, I was able to confidently navigate the city and get to class, and I realized that I was actively living in a dream that I never thought I would be brave enough to make a reality,鈥� Hodge said. 

鈥淢y time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock greatly increased my confidence in my abilities, thanks to every professor who poured into me and encouraged me along the way,鈥� she said.

Manatt pointed to his success with the track and field team as a source of pride.

鈥淥ne thing that I鈥檓 especially proud of is the three Track and Field championship rings that I get to wear. Being a part of a winning team was always something I dreamed of, especially on the D1 level.鈥� Manatt said.

鈥淭he bond that I鈥檝e created with my guys on the team is something I鈥檒l cherish and never forget,鈥� he said.

They shared that the close bond with their team will be what they miss most after graduation.

鈥淚 am definitely going to miss getting to live and train and study with this group of people that are more like family than friends at this point, and I think it will be a big transition to not always have my workout and study buddies with me everywhere I go,鈥� Hodge said.

鈥淢y circle of guys that I鈥檓 around most are so influential in my life. A few are going to be in my wedding, and many more are guys I know I can call at any time, and they will have my back or be there for me in an instant,鈥� Manatt said.

After graduation, the couple will be moving to Oklahoma. Both have been accepted into the University of Oklahoma, where Hodge will attend medical school and Manatt will pursue physical therapy school.

As they prepare for their move to Oklahoma, both reflect on the significance of being closer to family in this next chapter.

鈥淒uring our time here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, we have been able to spend more time with Sutton鈥檚 family, and it has been such a joy and blessing to have their support and get to know them over the past four years. I am really excited now to have that same opportunity with my family during our next chapter of life, and I hope that Sutton will be as encouraged by the support and love from my family during PT school as I was by his family during undergrad,鈥� Hodge said.

鈥淚 joked with Sutton a couple of years ago that we would spend our undergraduate years here in Little Rock, in his home state and near his family, and then it would be his turn to live in my home state near my family for the next four years, so it is pretty funny to me that that is exactly how it has worked out,鈥� she said.

鈥淚鈥檝e been so lucky to be close to home these past four years, being from Hot Springs. I鈥檝e gotten to be at family events and watch my little brother grow up and be at his baseball games. It鈥檚 been really nice having them just an hour away, but I know Ragen has missed her family so much. Any chance we get to go up to OK and see her family, we always come back to school so rejuvenated and relaxed. I鈥檓 so happy that we get to spend the next four or so years closer to her family so we can give her family the same thing my parents have had the last four years,鈥� Manatt said.

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The team volunteers twice a week with the school鈥檚 elementary wrestling program, an effort led by senior Cael Keck that has grown into a full-team commitment focused on mentorship, inclusion, and community impact.

Keck was inspired to get involved after head coach Neil Erisman mentioned the school鈥檚 practices were held just 10 minutes from campus. At the time, Keck was injured and looking for a way to stay involved while he was off the mat.

He organized the team by creating a schedule that ensured four Little Rock wrestlers attended each practice. Every team member participated at least once, he said.

鈥淚t was a full team effort,鈥� Keck said.

鈥淚 also plan on coaching youth wrestling after college, so I figured I could get some experience,鈥� he added.

Keck, a senior business management major from Kansas City, Missouri, said the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind鈥檚 elementary practices are structured similarly to most wrestling sessions. Athletes begin with jogging and warm-up exercises before moving into drills focused on specific techniques and positions.

鈥淲hat stood out to me the most was how eager the kids were to learn,鈥� Keck said. 鈥淭hey were very grateful that we helped them out.鈥�

One interaction that stayed with him involved a deaf student using the 鈥�6-7鈥� trend in sign language.

鈥淚t stood out because at the end of the day, they are just kids being kids,鈥� Keck said. 鈥淭hey have the same humor, trends, and personalities as anyone else.鈥�

Keck said the experience taught him patience and challenged him to think about communication and teaching in different ways.

鈥淭his helped me get a better understanding of the sport,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t also brought me and my teammates closer together because we were doing something different and stepping out of our comfort zone.鈥�

He said the experience carried meaning beyond wrestling.

鈥淚t shows that our program isn鈥檛 just about wrestling,鈥� Keck said. 鈥淗elping out the community is something Coach Erisman has always talked about, and he leads by example.鈥�

When asked how the nationally ranked team balances volunteering, academics, and competition, Keck pointed to discipline and time management.

鈥淎 lot of us live together, so we are on the same schedule and hold each other accountable. Personally, finding a routine that works for my class, practice, and lift schedule is very important to stay on track,鈥� Keck said.

His message to other student-athletes is simple:

鈥淚鈥檇 say just do it,鈥� Keck said. 鈥淚t might be out of the average person鈥檚 comfort zone, but it鈥檚 fulfilling to know that you鈥檙e making a difference and having an impact in someone鈥檚 life.鈥�

Coach Erisman said the experience was just as meaningful for the program.

鈥淲hat an incredible honor and experience to be able to help out with the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was humbling and fulfilling all in one. We didn鈥檛 just enjoy serving 鈥� we enjoyed getting to know the athletes and watching their progress over a short period of time. It was a great experience.鈥�

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The experience gave her new skills and confidence that will help shape her future career in accounting. O鈥橬eil, a native of Covington, Louisiana, is pursuing her MBA with a concentration in financial accounting analysis and expects to graduate in May 2026.

Her internship at Baptist Health focused on reconciliations for Baptist Health and Baptist Health College. Financial reconciliation is an accounting process of comparing and matching two different sets of financial records to verify their accuracy and completeness. O鈥橬eil worked extensively with financial data, making sure records matched across systems and breaking down payments to ensure accuracy over three years鈥� worth of transactions.

鈥淢y main project was doing recons for Baptist and Baptist Health College,鈥� O鈥橬eil said. 鈥淚t was very time consuming, but also a very interesting and challenging task. I had to balance a lot of data, and it really pushed me to work through challenges on my own.鈥�

The experience gave her practical exposure to accounting work in a healthcare environment, a field she hadn鈥檛 previously considered but now views as a strong career possibility.

鈥淗ealthcare is different from a strictly office position,鈥� O鈥橬eil said. 鈥淓ven though I wasn鈥檛 on the patient care side, I felt like I was still helping the company support patients and build good relationships with them. That made the work really meaningful.鈥�

O鈥橬eil said she especially valued the collaborative atmosphere at Baptist Health. She was one of 14 summer interns and enjoyed being part of a team that included both fellow students and experienced employees.

鈥淚 really liked that team aspect of Baptist Health,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 got to meet a lot of people and work alongside other interns my age as well as full-time employees. It gave me a new perspective and showed me the importance of teamwork in a professional setting.鈥�

The internship also gave O鈥橬eil opportunities to grow her professional skills beyond technical accounting. She learned to use industry software, sharpened her Excel skills, and built confidence by working independently on complex assignments. And the practical experience she received through her internship confirmed O鈥橬eil鈥檚 decision to become a certified public accountant after graduation.

鈥淎t Baptist Health, I got to take what I鈥檝e learned in the classroom and apply it in real life,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat made all the difference in showing me the direction I want to go in my future accounting career.鈥�

In addition to excelling in her MBA program, O鈥橬eil is also a six-year member of the, balancing her athletic commitments with her academic and professional goals.

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Martinez, originally from Mexico, first discovered when she moved to the city. Her aunt encouraged her to follow the magazine on Instagram to learn about local restaurants, events, and activities. When she later saw a post from (ABPG) seeking interns for summer 2025, she applied.

鈥淚 applied for the Consumer Special Publications Writer position, knowing the role would allow me to contribute to different ABPG publications and serve primarily as a writer,  exactly the experience I was looking for,鈥� Martinez said.

During her time with ABPG, Martinez worked across three departments: Consumer Special Publications, Business Special Publications, and the Soir茅e team. She wrote feature and profile stories for North Texas Magazine, Arkansas Next, and Arkansas Pros.

As a bilingual writer, she also translated the entire North Texas Magazine into Spanish. In addition, she contributed to projects such as Arkansas 250 and Whole Health Magazine, and assisted the Soir茅e social media team at events and photo shoots, helping create content to showcase restaurants and activities around Little Rock.

She credits 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Mass Communications program for preparing her to succeed in this role. 

鈥淢y professors, especially Dr. (Tim) Edwards, have pushed me to think critically and aim higher in my career,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t ABPG, I was able to put those lessons into practice and see how they play out in the real world.鈥�

When asked about her favorite project, Martinez said it was hard to choose just one.

鈥淓ach project came with its own challenges and rewards, and every team I worked with made me feel like I was truly part of something meaningful. What stood out most was the trust and responsibility I was given across different departments,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 also want to highlight how empowered I felt working alongside so many incredible women at ABPG. Their professionalism, creativity, and leadership inspired me to grow as a writer and as a person.鈥�

Martinez will continue at ABPG through the fall semester while she completes her graduate program. She is also building her professional project with ABPG, which will serve as the capstone for her final year before graduating next May. At the same time, she remains dedicated to her role as a graduate assistant with the Women鈥檚 Swimming and Diving team.

鈥淐oaching such a talented group of student-athletes inspires me every day, and I feel fortunate to be able to balance both journalism and athletics in this chapter of my life,鈥� she said.

Reflecting on her experience, Martinez said the internship helped clarify her career goals. 

鈥淭he internship showed me how much I can do with my degree and gave me confidence that no dream is too small,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 want to create meaningful experiences for audiences through storytelling, and this opportunity helped me see just how many ways that鈥檚 possible. I also learned that Arkansas has incredible opportunities for young professionals. You just have to be willing to seek them out and put in the effort.鈥�

The post Balancing Journalism and Athletics: 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Student Excels in Publishing Internship appeared first on News.

This year鈥檚 picnic will feature a special Celebration of Champions theme, recognizing the outstanding achievements of that brought home conference titles from 2023 to 2025.

Honorees include the 2024 and 2025 OVC Tournament Champion Baseball Team, the 2024 OVC Regular-Season Champion Men鈥檚 Basketball Team, the 2023 OVC Regular-Season Champion Women鈥檚 Basketball Team, the 2023 and 2025 OVC Champion Men鈥檚 Golf Team, the 2024 OVC Champion Women鈥檚 Golf Team, the 2024 and 2025 OVC Champion Men鈥檚 Indoor Track and Field Team, the 2024 OVC Champion Men鈥檚 Outdoor Track and Field Team, and the 2024 and 2025 Pac-12 Dual Meet Champion Wrestling Team.

The annual picnic will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, where students, employees, alumni, and friends of the university can gather to enjoy barbecue, music, and fellowship.

Whole Hog Cafe will cater the event, with vegetarian burgers available, and cookies from Community Bakery will be served. DJ Klassik Entertainment, owned by alumnus Jonathan Nunn, will keep the celebration lively with music, while the Trojan Pep Band and Maximus will join the festivities. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus Travis 鈥淭re鈥� Day鈥� Rowan, host of the Drive Time Show on Power 92.3FM, will be broadcasting live from BBQ at Bailey. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome everyone back for BBQ at Bailey, a tradition that unites our community,鈥� said Kristi Smith, associate vice chancellor for alumni and development. 鈥淭his year we鈥檒l celebrate our championship teams and make the day even more special with alumni and community volunteers, including our Alumni Board and Foundation Fund Board members, stepping up to serve in honor of our student-athletes, who traditionally fill that role.鈥�

Frank Cuervo, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 director of , added that this year鈥檚 celebration is a fitting way to spotlight the dedication of the university鈥檚 student-athletes.

鈥淥ur teams truly embody the pride, passion, and spirit of Little Rock鈥攏ot only through their championship success on the field, but also through their dedication and achievement in the classroom,鈥� Cuervo said. 鈥淭his celebration is about more than trophies and titles. It鈥檚 about honoring the relentless effort, teamwork, and Trojan pride that define our student-athletes. We can鈥檛 wait to bring the entire university community together to share in these incredible accomplishments and celebrate in true Trojan fashion.鈥�

Hosted by the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Alumni Board of Directors, BBQ at Bailey remains one of the university鈥檚 favorite traditions, uniting students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community supporters at the start of the academic year. Guests are also invited to visit with student organizations, snap photos at the 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock backdrop, view their bricks on the alumni patio, and enjoy lawn games on the alumni patio.

The celebration also highlights 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 Centennial Campaign, a historic fundraising initiative leading up to the university鈥檚 100th anniversary in 2027. Focused on scholarships, student support, program excellence, and enhancing the living and learning environment, the campaign reflects the same spirit of community and excellence that shines each year at BBQ at Bailey.

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His presentation, 鈥�,鈥� traced the rise, fall, and glory days of the university鈥檚 first collegiate sports team.

鈥淭hey went from pretenders to contenders to champions,鈥� Wethington told the audience. 鈥淭his team laid the foundation for the university鈥檚 entire athletics program.鈥�

The team began in 1930, part of a nationwide boom in college football popularity during the sport鈥檚 so-called 鈥淕olden Age.鈥� Although the early years were rocky鈥攚ith four head coaches in the first season alone and a record of 7-22-5 during the initial five-year run鈥攖he team left its mark. Students even chose 鈥淭rojans鈥� as the team鈥檚 mascot, which continues today.

After the team first disbanded in 1935, the junior college turned to intramural sports and offered students options like fencing, tennis, golf, swimming, rifle shooting, and boxing. However, students voiced disappointment over the lack of collegiate spirit on campus without a formal athletics program.

It wasn鈥檛 until 1947 that Little Rock Junior College President John Larson and Coach Jimmy Karam revived the program. Karam championed player scholarships, housing, and meal stipends for student-athletes and recruited players from rural Arkansas, even going so far as to build goalposts from wood to train athletes when regular football equipment was not available.

The team鈥檚 post-war comeback was extraordinary. In 1947, they earned their first winning season and played in the Coffee Bowl, winning their first bowl appearance 31-7. In 1948, they won seven games and made their second bowl appearance against South Georgia Junior College in the Junior Sugar Bowl, losing 18-7. By 1949, the Trojans were undefeated and headed to Pasadena, California, to face Santa Ana Junior College in the Junior Rose Bowl. The Trojans won 25鈥�19 in front of a national audience.

鈥淚t was a monumental occasion for our college,鈥� Wethington said. 鈥淚 think the Junior College Rose Bowl win is one of the crowning achievements of our institution鈥檚 athletics history.鈥�

The football program eventually folded after the 1955 season due to financial concerns. Yet its legacy lives on. The team鈥檚 trophies are displayed in the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center, and its influence is still felt throughout the university鈥檚 current athletics program. In 2006, the 1949 team was inducted into the Little Rock Trojan Athletic Hall of Fame.

鈥淲ithout football, I don鈥檛 know where our athletics program would be,鈥� Wethington said. 鈥淲e are Little Rock鈥檚 team, and we can be a team the city is proud of.鈥�

The event, hosted by the Central Arkansas Library System, attracted attendees including the daughter and granddaughter of Woody Johnson, who was the last head football coach from 1953 to 1955.

Wethington has been researching LRJC football history since 2022 and first presented on the topic at the Arkansas Historical Association鈥檚 annual conference in 2024. His work draws from university photograph collections in Ottenheimer Library, archived yearbooks, historical newspapers, and 鈥淭he People鈥檚 College, Little Rock Junior College and Little Rock University, 1927-1969,鈥� a 1987 book by Jim Lester chronicling the early history of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. He plans to publish his research in the Pulaski County Historical Review to further spotlight the university鈥檚 early sports history.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a unique bookmark in the history of the university,鈥� Wethington said. 鈥淎 hidden gem that deserves to be remembered.鈥�

You can find a recording of the .

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A mechanical engineering major with a 3.97 GPA and a minor in mathematics, Carlson was named the 2025 Most Valuable Player for 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 swimming and diving team and will leave the university as a Scholar All-American. Her success stems from a strong work ethic, intentional time management, and a deep love for her sport and her teammates.

鈥淚 like to put my best effort into anything I do, and I encourage others to bring out the best in themselves too,鈥� Carlson said. 鈥淔or me to be my best can reflect back on them, and vice versa. I think that鈥檚 how we build each other up.鈥�

Originally from Weatherford, Texas, Carlson chose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for its academic scholarships, the opportunity to swim competitively, and the people.

鈥淚 chose here for the community as much as the opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew I could compete in my sport and get a great education.鈥�

Her college career has been nothing short of impressive. In the pool, Carlson has competed across the country鈥攊ncluding high-level meets in Ocala, Florida, and against nationally ranked Power 4 schools. Carlson was part of a team of four swimmers that during the 400 freestyle relay at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships this year.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a struggle at times, but incredibly rewarding,鈥� she said of her student-athlete experience. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of early mornings and late nights, but I鈥檝e had the chance to travel, represent 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, and still keep up with my classes thanks to supportive professors.鈥�

That academic rigor included multiple internships and a place in Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society. Carlson credits professors like Dr. Jin Lee and Stuart Schneider for helping shape her college experience.

鈥淒r. Jin Lee was a wonderful help and really pushed us to do our best,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd Stuart Schneider鈥檚 engineering statics class was one of my favorites I鈥檝e ever taken.鈥�

Her father鈥檚 career as an aeronautical engineer also influenced her path. 鈥淚n high school, I loved math but didn鈥檛 want to major in just that,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ngineering gave me a place to apply it. Watching my dad鈥檚 journey inspired me a lot.鈥�

After graduation, Carlson will return home for a summer internship at an aeronautical company鈥攈er third with the same organization. This time, she鈥檒l be on the flight line, assisting with developmental flight testing alongside engineers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting. I鈥檝e worked under mechanical departments before, but being on the flight line will be a new hands-on experience,鈥� she said.

In the fall, she鈥檒l return to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to pursue her master鈥檚 degree in mechanical engineering, with hopes to eventually return to Texas for a career in aerospace engineering.

While graduating on May 17 marks the end of one chapter, it鈥檚 a milestone Carlson describes as 鈥渂ittersweet.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e really enjoyed the people and friends I鈥檝e met here. Saying goodbye is hard in the moment,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut we鈥檙e all going to do amazing things, and I鈥檓 thankful we鈥檒l stay connected.鈥�

She also had a few heartfelt shoutouts: 鈥淚 could not have done this journey without my parents, who were there supporting me every step of the way. And I have to thank the Starbucks crew on campus for always brightening my mornings and starting each day on the best note. You guys are amazing!鈥�

Her advice to future students? 鈥淓mbrace and enjoy every opportunity that comes your way鈥攄on鈥檛 pass it up. And write down your experiences. You鈥檒l appreciate both the trials and victories long after college.鈥�

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Cathey, a lifelong baseball enthusiast from Warren, Arkansas, served as the color analyst during the Trojans’ game against the University of Tennessee at Martin at Gary Hogan Field, broadcast live on ESPN+. He joined Max Coltrane, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student and the Trojans鈥� play-by-play voice, in the booth.

鈥淚t was a lot of fun,鈥� Cathey said. 鈥淲e hung out and talked the game of baseball. It was GREAT.鈥�

Coltrane said he wanted the experience to be fun first and foremost but was impressed by Cathey鈥檚 sharp instincts and knowledge of the game.

鈥淗e did a great job, and I don鈥檛 think quality ever took a backseat on the broadcast,鈥� 

Coltrane said. 鈥淲e bounced off each other well. We bounced off each other well, and he picked up the game well listening to the PA announcer to hear each batter introduced and had the stat sheet in front of him. It was super enjoyable, and we were at ease with each other. I think he definitely brought something unique to the broadcast.”

Cathey鈥檚 opportunity came about after Jena McDonnell, his work supervisor at the Arkansas School for the Blind, reached out to the Miracle League of Arkansas about a possible summer internship. Since their season ends in June, they encouraged her to contact the Trojans, and the rest fell into place.

“He’s something special,” she said. “He has college goals and doesn’t want to sit around. He wants to work. He doesn’t want to take it easy. He’s always asking, ‘What are we doing today?’ He’s always attacking the day, which I love. He’s just an All-American kid with a big heart.鈥�

To prepare, Cathey studied team stats and met with Coltrane and Trojans Broadcast Director Hannah Ford the day before the game. On game day, he was introduced to the production team and Head Coach Chris Curry, who shared stories from his own baseball journey.

“I was impressed with Dallas,” Curry said. “You can tell he is a student of the game 鈥� very knowledgeable. It was a real honor that he wanted to call one of our games. We hope to see him back here again.”

Cathey introduced Trojan batters during the broadcast, announcing their hometowns and stats, while Coltrane adjusted his play-by-play style to provide more description to support Cathey鈥檚 experience.

“A couple of times, he knew a ball was fair or foul just by the sound it made coming off the bat,” Coltraine said. “Late in the game, I said there was a full count, and he corrected me and said it was a 2-2 count. He was so sharp in the booth and kept up with everything very well.”

Blind since birth, Cathey experiences baseball through sound: the crack of the bat, the pop of the glove, the cheers of the crowd, and the voice of the announcer. His love for the sport is shared by his family. He plays in the Miracle League of Arkansas in Monticello and enjoys watching his younger brother Holden鈥檚 travel baseball games.

鈥淏aseball has always been my favorite sport,鈥� Cathey said. 鈥淓veryone in my family has played, so it鈥檚 something we share together.鈥�

His experience in the announcer鈥檚 booth has only strengthened his dream of becoming a professional broadcaster鈥攑ossibly even at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淚f I can find any other games to announce, I鈥檒l do that,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would mostly want to do baseball, but I wouldn鈥檛 mind doing sports like wrestling too.鈥�

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