Little Rock (LR) Athletics had a busy month of February which included a football feasibility study update, the unveiling of the renovated Donaghey Athletic Center, and the announcement of the Trojans’ soccer 2019 recruiting class. Here’s a roundup of some of the news that came out of LR Athletics this month.
On Feb. 6, LR Athletics announced the official recommendation of the Football Feasibility Committee. Their verdict? The time isn’t right to add a football program. The recommendation ended the years-long debate which began with a Student Government Association (SGA) 1,000 student petition in August 2016. Among other factors, the committee cited the fact football isn’t part of UA Little Rock’s strategic master plan and the need for continued investment in the university’s existing athletic programs.
Just two days later, on Feb. 8, LR Athletics officially opened the renovated Donaghey Athletic Center. The Center, the home of Trojan soccer, golf, track and field and cross country, and swimming and diving hadn’t seen significant renovations since its 1969 construction. The upgrades added and improved existing offices, locker rooms, meeting spaces, and athletic facilities. The project, which started in September 2018, cost $725,000.
On Feb. 11, LR soccer announced the 2019 recruiting class of 12 women. Eight of the signees hail from Texas, including Bizzy Canada, Kenedie St. Mary, Maddy Peake, Jessica Carmichael, Julia Edwards, Ziva Payer, Emma Thompson, and Sarah Ovalle. Other signees include Aislyn Sullivan of South Carolina and Allison Morrison of Tennessee. LR signed two international recruits, Marthe Taugbol of Norway and Mari Young of Canada.
More news came out of LR soccer on Feb. 18, as the team announced their 2019 spring schedule which includes five games, all of which are at home. The team will play Christian Brothers on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m., the Toronto Blizzard on March 11 at 7 p.m., Harding on April 1 at 7 p.m., Oklahoma State on April 13 at 1 p.m., and UCA on April 19 at 7 p.m. Students and the public can attend all the games at no charge.
On the court, LR women’s basketball is first in the Sun Belt Conference, having notched a 4-1 record up to Feb. 23. For more on women’s basketball, read Harrison Hudson’s monthly review.
LR men’s basketball notched a 3-2 record up to Feb. 23, and sit at tenth in the Sun Belt standings, clinging to the final Sun Belt Tournament spot with five games to go. For more on men’s basketball, read Harrison Hudson’s monthly review.
Women’s golf placed 14that the Texas State Invitational on Feb. 12, while men’s golf won the I-40 Match Play Duel versus UCA on Feb. 15. For more on women’s golf and the Texas State Invitational, read Harrison Hudson’s recap.
On Feb. 19, women’s track and field and cross country placed 11that the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championship, while the men’s team placed seventh. For more on the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championship, read Harrison Hudson’s recap.
LR baseball dropped their first four games of the season, including the opening home three-game series versus Creighton Feb. 15-17. For more on the start of baseball season, read our preview.
Looking ahead to March, LR basketball will be looking to succeed in New Orleans at the Sun Belt Championship, starting March 11. For more on the Sun Belt Championship, read our men’s and women’s tournament previews.
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