Little Rock Wrestling - News - 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock /news/tag/little-rock-wrestling/ 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:53:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Little Rock Wrestler Cael Keck Graduates With Honors, Plans to Give Back Through Coaching /news/2026/04/24/little-rock-wrestler-cael-keck-graduates-with-honors-plans-to-give-back-through-coaching/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 /news/?p=93976 From helping build a young program to earning top honors in the classroom, Little Rock wrestler Cael Keck will graduate summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little ... Little Rock Wrestler Cael Keck Graduates With Honors, Plans to Give Back Through Coaching

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From helping build a young program to earning top honors in the classroom, Little Rock wrestler Cael Keck will graduate summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock this May with a degree in business management.

Keck is a six-time dean鈥檚 and chancellor鈥檚 list honoree, a 2023-24 NCAA Division I Scholar All-American, and a 2024 Pac-12 Conference placer.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Keck said he chose 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for both its wrestling program and strong academic opportunities.

鈥淲hat really swayed my decision was the coaches,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 trusted them from the jump, not just in their ability to coach, but in the type of people they are. It was also only the program鈥檚 second year, so I was excited about the chance to help build it from the start.鈥

Over his time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Keck said being a student-athlete shaped his daily life and helped him develop discipline and structure.

鈥淵ou have to have discipline and time management, especially when things get bumpy,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 think the most important thing to being a successful student-athlete is finding a routine that prioritizes balancing school and athletics.鈥

Keck also grew as a leader off the mat, organizing Little Rock wrestling鈥檚 volunteer efforts at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. The team worked twice a week with the school鈥檚 elementary wrestling program, assisting students with gear and leading them through drills to build confidence and skills.

He said wrestling taught him how to handle adversity and adapt in difficult situations.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also taught me to appreciate hard work and staying disciplined,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hose are things I鈥檒l carry into my career and life after college.鈥

Keck credits his coaches and teammates with having a lasting impact on his experience at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock.

鈥淲e are like a family, and they鈥檝e helped me grow as a wrestler and as a person,鈥 he said. 鈥淏eing in that kind of environment has played a major role in who I am today.鈥

After graduation, Keck plans to return to Kansas City to coach youth wrestling at the same club where he competed growing up.

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Little Rock Wrestling Finds Purpose Beyond the Mat with ASDB Youth /news/2026/04/13/little-rock-wrestling-finds-purpose-beyond-the-mat-with-asdb-youth/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:51:01 +0000 /news/?p=93929 Little Rock Wrestling isn鈥檛 just preparing for competition 鈥 it鈥檚 also helping young athletes at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind find their footing on the mat. The ... Little Rock Wrestling Finds Purpose Beyond the Mat with ASDB Youth

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isn鈥檛 just preparing for competition 鈥 it鈥檚 also helping young athletes at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind find their footing on the mat.

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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Former Trojan Wrestler Sets Sights on Olympic Glory /news/2026/01/27/former-trojan-wrestler-sets-sights-on-olympic-glory/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000 /news/?p=93398 From a young age, senior 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student KJ Miley had Olympic-sized ambition. Now, he鈥檚 working to turn that ambition into reality as he trains to make the U.S. ... Former Trojan Wrestler Sets Sights on Olympic Glory

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From a young age, senior 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock student KJ Miley had Olympic-sized ambition. Now, he鈥檚 working to turn that ambition into reality as he trains to make the U.S. World Teams in 2026 and 2027, with the ultimate goal of earning the 97-kilogram spot at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The rigors of training for international competition are only part of Miley鈥檚 journey. While preparing for the sports world鈥檚 biggest stage, he is also completing his business management degree online through 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and plans to graduate in May. It鈥檚 a commitment he believes has strengthened him as an athlete by sharpening his time management skills and mental approach to competition.

The Olympics have always represented the pinnacle of the sport.

鈥淔rom a young age competing in wrestling, I always looked at the Olympics as the prime-time show,鈥 Miley said. 鈥淭here are world championships every year, but nothing compares to the Olympics. College wrestling always felt like the next step for me, and I was fortunate to find a great home at Little Rock. They sharpened my skills and made me a more competitive athlete.鈥

Miley鈥檚 development continued on the international stage, where he captured two U23 Pan American titles. Those accomplishments confirmed his potential, but it was competing at the 2024 U23 World Championships that helped clarify his path forward.

鈥淚 may not have placed, but experiencing that level of competition showed me exactly where I stood,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t showed me how much I needed to change and challenge myself. Collegiate wrestling shaped the way I trained and competed 鈥 it definitely raised my level as an athlete.鈥

Beyond competition, wrestling has shaped Miley鈥檚 approach to life.

鈥淚t鈥檚 made me a better student, employee, son, partner 鈥 just a better person overall,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he discipline it takes to be a high-level wrestler is something you don鈥檛 get from another sport.鈥

Miley said the discipline he鈥檚 learned through wrestling has taught him a simple but lasting lesson.

鈥淵ou get what you earn,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f you don鈥檛 put in the right effort at the right time, you won鈥檛 get the results you鈥檙e seeking.鈥

That mindset now guides Miley as he balances training, international travel, and academics. Time management, he said, has been his biggest challenge.

鈥淪taying on top of classes while traveling out of the country for weeks at a time can be tough,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he biggest thing I鈥檝e learned is to complete my work ahead of time.鈥

Miley is completing a business management degree, a decision he views as essential to his future beyond competition.

鈥淔inishing my degree is really important to me,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not exactly part of my wrestling plan, but I have future goals in the wrestling world that will be much easier to pursue with a degree. That鈥檚 been a major motivation.鈥

Continuing his education through 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock allowed him to stay focused on both goals. Miley said the university鈥檚 fully online option made it possible to keep his credits intact while training at an elite level.

鈥淭he option to stay with the same school and complete everything online made 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock the right fit,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t kept me from having to deal with transferring credits and allowed me to focus on finishing my degree.鈥

He also credited faculty support for helping him stay on track academically.

鈥淢ost professors are extremely understanding and willing to work with students who have real-life situations going on,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he online setup is simple, and that makes a big difference when you鈥檙e balancing school with travel and training.鈥

Miley believes his education has strengthened him in competition as well.

鈥淏eing educated has helped me in every part of life,鈥 he said. 鈥淓arning my degree has sharpened my time management skills, and I use that on the mat too. I think it gives me an edge, mentally as much as physically.鈥

While Miley now competes for the New York Athletic Club and represents the United States internationally, he remains closely connected to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Rather than pointing to a single mentor, he credits the collective impact of the Trojans wrestling staff.

鈥淭he coaching staff at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock helped me through so many things on and off the mat,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey made me a better person overall. Every coach played a role in different areas of my life.鈥

As he continues training toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Miley carries those lessons with him 鈥 from the mat, the classroom, and his time as a Trojan.

鈥淚鈥檒l always credit 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock for the role it played in my development,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hose experiences helped shape who I am today.鈥

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Balancing Mind and Muscle: 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Wrestler Stephen Little鈥檚 Journey to Graduation /news/2025/12/04/balancing-mind-and-muscle-ua-little-rock-wrestler-stephen-littles-journey-to-graduation/ Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000 /news/?p=93134 As he prepares to graduate this fall, Stephen Little has proven that success at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is as much about mental focus as it is ... Balancing Mind and Muscle: 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Wrestler Stephen Little鈥檚 Journey to Graduation

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As he prepares to graduate this fall, Stephen Little has proven that success at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is as much about mental focus as it is physical strength.

A senior psychology major and standout , Little is entering his fourth season on the mat with an impressive 60-12 record and two All-American honors. But beyond his athletic accolades, he鈥檚 equally proud of what he鈥檚 accomplished in the classroom.

鈥淚 chose to major in psychology because I want to go to physical therapy school after I graduate,鈥 Little said. 鈥淚 spend a lot of time in the training room keeping my body healthy for wrestling, so learning more about how people think, feel, and stay motivated connects really well with understanding recovery and performance.鈥

For Little, psychology and wrestling go hand in hand. He鈥檚 learned to apply lessons from his coursework directly to his performance on the mat 鈥 from understanding how the brain processes stress to staying composed during high-pressure matches.

鈥淪tudying psychology has taught me a lot about how people handle pressure and emotion,鈥 he said. 鈥淓veryone gets butterflies or nerves because we鈥檙e all human. What matters is finding your own way to deal with them. For me, I just focus on preparation and trust the work I鈥檝e put in.鈥

Being a Division I athlete while maintaining academic excellence isn鈥檛 easy, but Little credits consistency and discipline for keeping him on track. 

鈥淎fter long practices or lifts, it can be tough to find motivation to study or do assignments,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檝e learned that discipline matters more than motivation. I have goals I want to achieve, so I remind myself that staying consistent in both wrestling and school is what will get me there.鈥

That steady mindset has paid off. Over four years, he鈥檚 not only earned national recognition but also become a leader for younger teammates 鈥 someone who models what it means to compete and excel with integrity. Reflecting on his time at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, Little said the experience has changed him profoundly. 

鈥淚鈥檝e had a big mindset change since my freshman year,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown in my discipline, leadership, and time management. Balancing everything has made me more mature and helped me develop habits that I鈥檒l carry with me long after wrestling.鈥

After graduation, Little plans to attend physical therapy school while continuing to pursue his dream of making the Olympic or World Team. 

鈥淧sychology will definitely help me in both areas,鈥 he said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 understanding athletes I work with as a PT or staying mentally strong through my own training and goals.鈥

When asked about his most meaningful experience as a Trojan, Little points to a single match that defined his career. 

鈥淥ne of the most meaningful moments for me was the first time I earned All-American honors,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t was a close match that went into overtime, and I got the takedown to win. Seeing my coaches, parents, and teammates after that match was amazing 鈥 it made all the hard work and sacrifices feel worth it.鈥

As commencement approaches, Little said earning his degree is more than just crossing a finish line 鈥 it鈥檚 proof of how far he鈥檚 come. 

鈥淓arning my degree means that all the hard work paid off and I鈥檓 one step closer to my goals,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t represents years of commitment and growth, both on and off the mat, and it鈥檚 something I鈥檒l always be proud of.鈥

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Rainwater Helps 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Students Dress For Success at National Real Estate Competition /news/2025/04/03/rainwater-donation/ Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:05:00 +0000 /news/?p=90534 A group of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students will compete in a national real estate competition in style, thanks to the generosity of Little Rock Business Owner Paul Rainwater. For the ... Rainwater Helps 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Students Dress For Success at National Real Estate Competition

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A group of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students will compete in a national real estate competition in style, thanks to the generosity of Little Rock Business Owner Paul Rainwater.

For the second year in a row, Rainwater, owner of r in the Promenade at Chenal, is donating his time and skills to provide custom business outfits for a team of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students competing in the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation鈥檚 Annual Real Estate Challenge in April.

The competition, held in Chicago, challenges students to develop a real estate proposal for a designated site. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock鈥檚 team has a strong track record, winning the competition two years ago and securing second place last year. This year鈥檚 project focuses on a 10-acre site in the Bronzeville area of Chicago, previously home to a hospital.

Rainwater, who has been in the clothing business for more than 50 years, is outfitting the team with custom black suits and white shirts.

鈥淎 crisp black suit and white shirt is so clean and classic, and they can use it for other events in the future,鈥 Rainwater said. 鈥淚f you look good, you play good. I truly believe that.鈥

Senior construction management major Jacob Ivy is excited about both the competition and his new suit.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had trouble with clothes fitting, so it鈥檚 nice to get a measured suit,鈥 Ivy said. 鈥淚鈥檓 about to graduate and start a new job at Baldwin & Shell, so I鈥檓 sure I鈥檒l be using the suit for many years to come.鈥

Warren Hoyt, a senior finance major, Donaghey Scholar, and member of the Little Rock Wrestling team, echoed the excitement.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cool to get a new suit. It will be great to have for my career and work,鈥 Hoyt said. 鈥淩eid and I are roommates, and we are both excited to get custom suits because we鈥檙e on the job market this year. I am especially excited about attending a job fair before the competition鈥

Hoyt鈥檚 roommate and fellow team member Reid Nelson, also a senior finance major, said the competition has been a learning experience.

鈥淚鈥檝e never done anything like it before,鈥 Nelson said. 鈥淚 have no experience in real estate previously, and I am meeting a lot of new people and gaining a lot of new experience. Getting a new suit is awesome. I only have one other suit from my senior year of high school, so this is great.鈥

Adison Cummings, a senior double major in architectural and civil engineering, is the only returning team member from previous competitions.

鈥淚t鈥檚 weird being the only person on the team who鈥檚 done it before, but it鈥檚 exciting to experience it with a brand-new team and fresh sets of eyes,鈥 Cummings said. 鈥淚 really made good use of the suit I got last year, and I think the all-black outfit will be nice for job interviews, weddings, and any type of outings where a nice outfit is required.鈥

Rainwater said he is honored to support the students in this way.

鈥淚t makes me feel like I鈥檓 a part of community efforts, and it鈥檚 a skill that I can help others with,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 am just appreciative of being a part of the team and the school.鈥

The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock team will compete in Chicago on April 5-6, bringing fresh ideas and strong preparation to the challenge along with a sharp new look to match.

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Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman Featured in Arkansas 250 /news/2025/01/08/erisman-arkansas-250/ Wed, 08 Jan 2025 22:20:55 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=88753 Head Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman has been recognized as a state leader in the 2024 edition of Arkansas 250. Arkansas 250 is a publication by Arkansas Business Publishing Group that ... Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman Featured in Arkansas 250

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Head Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman has been recognized as a state leader in the 2024 edition of Arkansas 250.

Arkansas 250 is a publication by Publishing Group that recognizes the state鈥檚 most influential leaders in banking and finance, construction and real estate, economic development, education and health care, government and policy, industry leaders, legal, poultry and agriculture, quality of life, and contemporary legends.

鈥淚鈥檓 floored by the honor of being selected to Arkansas 250,鈥 Erisman said. 鈥淪eeing the individuals on this list and that I would even be considered is such a blessing. Thank you to whoever considered me and the people that chose to honor me with this. I am very humbled and grateful.鈥

This is Coach Erisman鈥檚 debut in Arkansas 250. The publication describes how Erisman began his coaching career in 2011 at his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, and worked as an assistant coach at Stillwater High School and assistant coach at the University of North Carolina before joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock as its inaugural head wrestling coach in 2018. He has a passion for helping student-athletes graduate and accomplish their goals.

Erisman was named the 2023-24 Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association and in the Pac-12 Conference. The Trojans are coming off a this year. The Trojans captured the Pac-12 regular season, coming away as the conference Dual Meet Champions, and were crowned Tournament Runners-Up at the Pac-12 Championships. At the national tournament, Little Rock finished within the top 20 as a team, coming in 19th overall out of 68 teams represented at the NCAA Championships.

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More Than 300 Hams Headed to Help the Needy through Little Rock Wrestling Fundraiser聽聽聽聽聽 /news/2024/12/20/wrestling-fundraiser/ Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:01:18 +0000 /news/?p=88794 The 41 student-athletes of the Little Rock Wrestling team took some time off from practicing and competing to spread some holiday cheer on Dec. 19. As part of their annual ... More Than 300 Hams Headed to Help the Needy through Little Rock Wrestling Fundraiser聽聽聽聽聽

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The 41 student-athletes of the team took some time off from practicing and competing to spread some holiday cheer on Dec. 19.

Members of the Little Rock Wrestling team loaded up about 250 hams that were donated to Every Arkansan to give to families in need in Central Arkansas. Photo by Angie Faller.
Members of the Little Rock Wrestling team loaded up about 250 hams that were donated to Every Arkansan to give to families in need in Central Arkansas. Photo by Angie Faller.

As part of their annual holiday fundraiser, the team donated about 250 hams to the nonprofit organization, , who will use the hams to feed Central Arkansans in need.

鈥淲e鈥檒l be giving the hams out to our families in nine communities,鈥 said Zack Grimes, a mobile team lead with Every Arkansan. 鈥淲e believe everyone should have the opportunity to gather for a Christmas family meal. We鈥檒l provide the families with these hams and boxes of Christmas vegetables. We are trying to provide for those who can鈥檛 provide for themselves, and we are grateful to do it. We are grateful for these guys and all the support from the wrestling team.鈥

鈥淚n addition to the 250 hams for Every Arkansan, another 25 hams were donated for teachers and 15 for first responders as well as New Life Church who bought 15 hams to provide for families in need at their church,鈥 Head Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman said. 鈥淲e ended up donating more than 300 hams for people in need this year.鈥

The student-athletes and their coaches were on hand for six hours Dec. 19 to deliver hams for those who ordered them as part of the sixth annual fundraiser, but the best part of the day for the wrestlers was loading the 250 donated hams into Every Arkansan鈥檚 van.

鈥淭his is a fun tradition for the wrestling team,鈥 said Cody Wagner, a freshman business major from Harleysville, Penn. 鈥淲e are giving back to the community while also fundraising. I think it鈥檚 a cool experience to be a part of.鈥

The ham sale serves as a dual fundraiser for the Little Rock Wrestling team and Every Arkansan. The wrestling team met this year鈥檚 goal of delivering at least 200 hams to those in need. Overall, the wrestling team sold about 640 hams during the fundraiser.

鈥淚 am a supporter of the university as a whole and am an old wrestler from Iowa,鈥 said Mike McClellan, who donated seven hams for charity. 鈥淭he university is an important part of Central Arkansas, and we want them to succeed in all facets. This is a great cause that these guys are supporting.鈥

Little Rock Wrestling will be back in action Dec. 22 battling against Penn State University, Missouri State, and Binghamton University at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Hatcher Nominated for Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame /news/2024/10/21/hatcher-sports-hall-of-fame/ Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:00:22 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=88456 The man who is responsible for bringing a Division I wrestling program to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been nominated to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. ... Hatcher Nominated for Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame

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The man who is responsible for bringing a Division I wrestling program to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been nominated to the .

Greg Hatcher is a nominee for the 67th class in the regular (under 65) voting category for wrestling. Inductees are selected based on the lasting impact and contributions they鈥檝e made to their respective sports. Voting will continue until Oct. 31. Those who would like to vote may join the .

“It鈥檚 nice to be nominated for my work with wrestling, but it鈥檚 never seemed like work,鈥 Hatcher said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just been fun helping grow wrestling in the state and across the country. Of all the things I have been involved in, nothing has been more satisfying than watching kids turn into confident, strong men through wrestling competition. Once you鈥檝e wrestled, everything else is easy.”

When Hatcher graduated from Michigan鈥檚 Alma College in 1983, he was captain of the wrestling team and named All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in wrestling. He was also a member of three hall-of-fame wrestling teams, two hall-of-fame baseball teams, and six MIAA championship teams.

Following graduation, he coached baseball at Notre Dame University for one year. Hatcher was named the Distinguished Alumnus by Alma College and was inducted into the Alma College Sports Hall of Fame in soccer, wrestling, and baseball. In 2008, he became a member of the Alma College Board of Trustees.

Hatcher鈥檚 greatest work has come from his efforts in getting wrestling started in Arkansas. Hatcher founded The Arkansas Wrestling Association and has purchased the mats for 65 high schools and 13 colleges to help get new programs started at these schools. For his efforts, he has been honored with the Dan Gable America Needs Wrestling Award, named WIN Magazine鈥檚 Man of the Year, and awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Arkansas Activities Association. Hatcher has been inducted into the Arkansas Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

In February 2009, the Jack Stephens Center at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock hosted the first sanctioned high school state wrestling tournament, featuring 460 athletes from 40 teams. This early connection between 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock and the high school wrestling community helped pave the way for the university to establish the first NCAA Division I wrestling program in Arkansas.

In 2018, Hatcher donated $1.4 million for Division I wrestling to be added to Little Rock Athletics. The Greg Hatcher Wrestling Center is named in his honor. In 2019, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock honored Greg and Lee Hatcher as the honorees of SpectacuaLR, Little Rock Athletics鈥 biggest annual fundraising event in support of student-athletes.

Neil Erisman, a Kansas high-school state champion and Big 12 champion at Oklahoma State, came to 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock to serve as head coach. The Trojans are coming off a this year. The Trojans captured the Pac-12 regular season, coming away as the conference Dual Meet Champions, and were crowned Tournament Runners-Up at the Pac-12 Championships. At the National Tournament, Little Rock finished within the top 20 as a team, coming in 19th overall out of 68 teams represented at the NCAA Championships.

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Little Rock Wrestling Donates About 250 Hams to Charity /news/2024/01/05/wrestling-hams/ Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:15:20 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=86520 The Little Rock Wrestling Team helped bring some holiday cheer to the people of central Arkansas by donating about 250 hams to the nonprofit Every Arkansan. Every Arkansan picked up ... Little Rock Wrestling Donates About 250 Hams to Charity

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The helped bring some holiday cheer to the people of central Arkansas by donating about 250 hams to the nonprofit Every Arkansan.

Every Arkansan picked up the hams Dec. 19, and they were distributed to families at mobile sites across Central Arkansas during the week of Christmas, according to Zack Grimes, a mobile team member with .

鈥淲e鈥檙e taking the hams out to communities starting today where families can pick them up,鈥 Grimes said. 鈥淗opefully, it will be a blessing for as many families as possible. We are very honored and grateful to work with the wrestlers on this project.鈥

Members of the Little Rock Wrestling Team were on hand for eight hours on Dec. 19 to hand out hams, but the best part of the day for the wrestlers was loading the 250 donated hams into Every Arkansan鈥檚 van.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a big fundraiser, and it gives us a big opportunity to give back to the community, to volunteer, and to help the Arkansas Dream Center and Every Arkansan,鈥 said Jake Adams, a junior wrestling student-athlete from Bentonville. 鈥淲e鈥檝e developed a great moral character as a team, and this event brings everyone together under a common goal to help the people of Arkansas.鈥

This is the fifth year that the wrestling team has held their annual ham sale fundraiser and the fourth year of partnering with Every Arkansas to provide hams for Central Arkansas families. All proceeds support both the Little Rock wrestling program and Every Arkansan.

When purchasing hams, there was an option to directly donate a ham to Every Arkansan to give to local families. Hams weigh from 8-10 pounds and feed up to 16 people.

The wrestling team met this year鈥檚 goal of delivering at least 200 hams to those in need. Overall, the wrestling team sold about 615 hams during the annual fundraiser.

The wrestling team is thankful to the many community partners who helped with the fundraiser. Count Porkula BBQ, Slappin鈥橞utt BBQ, and Lee Tuxhorn of State Farm all donated smokers to cook the hams. The crew of Marco鈥檚 Pizza and Mike Rushin of Rushin Home were all on hand to help cook the hams.

鈥淏eing able to feed 250 families in Arkansas is the best part of this event,鈥 Head Wrestling Coach Neil Erisman said. 鈥淲e have some excellent volunteers helping with the event. We created some good community partnerships to support our program and give back to the community.鈥

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Little Rock Wrestling to Feed Local Families with Holiday Ham Sale /news/2023/11/06/holiday-ham-sale/ Mon, 06 Nov 2023 20:22:32 +0000 https://ualrprd.wpengine.com/news/?p=86109 The Little Rock wrestling team has launched their fifth annual holiday Ham Sale, setting a goal of selling 650 hams to fundraise for the program and feed local families. The ... Little Rock Wrestling to Feed Local Families with Holiday Ham Sale

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The Little Rock wrestling team has launched their fifth annual holiday Ham Sale, setting a goal of selling 650 hams to fundraise for the program and feed local families. The Trojans are partnering with the nonprofit Every Arkansan for the fourth year in a row with hopes of hand-delivering 250 hams to those in need.

Last year, Little Rock wrestling and Every Arkansan teamed up to provide over 200 hams to families in the Little Rock area. The team needs your help to surpass that this holiday season.

鈥淭his is a great tradition and fantastic fundraiser that is a way to serve our community through our partnership with Every Arkansan, a great organization that helps so many people,鈥 said head coach Neil Erisman. 鈥淚t also helps our program with everything from team travel to team gear. We look forward to this time of the year.鈥

All proceeds will support both the Little Rock wrestling program and Every Arkansan. When purchasing, there is an option to directly donate a ham to Every Arkansan to give to local families. With 39% of people in Arkansas living below the poverty line, your support will directly provide holiday meals for the community.

Hams weigh from 8-10 pounds, feed up to 16 people, and have a price tag of $55.

Each ham comes custom-ordered and fully cooked, with the option of smoked, sugared, or a smoked and sugared combination. Smoked hams are done professionally using hand-cut wood, while sugared hams are seasoned with a blend of brown sugar and spices which results in delicious, light, sweet, and salty flavor.

All hams will be available for pickup on Dec. 19 from 12-6 p.m. at the Hatcher Wrestling Facility on the campus of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Orders will be accepted through Dec. 15 and can be .

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