Letters From The AD: November 6, 2017

Later this week, your Little Rock Trojans will take the court as we look forward to another exciting basketball season. I first want to thank our 2017-18 season ticket holders for our continued support. We are proud of the growth of our season ticket base and our student-athletes and coaches appreciate your investment in our programs. To put this in perspective, we sold approximately 820 season tickets in 2014 and peaked at over 1,500 last year. We are confident we will get close to this mark for the 2017-18 season. The growth of our base has made a significant financial impact on all 14 sports. Ticket sales along with events like SpectacUALR, which raised over $200,000 again this year, continues to provide much needed financial support for all Trojans.
 
Both basketball teams have been hard at work gearing up for our home openers this weekend. Coach Wes Flanigan's team will feature 10 new players on the court this season while coach Joe Foley brings in five new student-athletes to complement seniors Monique Townsend and Keanna Keys. Both face tough non-conference schedules but I am anxious to see how these teams gel before conference play. With very young squads, it will be fun to watch these two teams develop over the next two years.
 
Our staff has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure our fans have another great experience at the Jack Stephens Center this season. A couple of changes and improvements you will see this season:
 

• A new concessions software system will be in place which will allow us to offer more points of sale and expedite the purchasing process, helping with quicker transactions and shorter lines. 
• We will offer several new items in the concession stand this season, including Westrock Coffee, Loblolly Creamery and Ozark Candies and Nuts. We have received great feedback regarding our partnership with Chick-fil-A and they will once again return this season. 
• Clear Bag Policy: Formed with the aid of the UA Little Rock Police Department, Little Rock Athletics has implemented a clear-bag policy at the Jack Stephens Center, deemed necessary due to new Arkansas Concealed Carry laws. Please refer to the clear bag policy card in your ticket package detailing what bags are accepted upon entry and visit LRTrojans.com/ClearBagPolicy to learn more. Little Rock Athletics will be providing FREE Clear bags for all season ticket holders. Trojan-branded clear bags can be picked up at the Jack Stephens Center Team Store with your voucher that was mailed with your season tickets. Bags will also be available for purchase for $5.

Our fall sports have witnessed quite a bit of success as their seasons are coming to a close. Women's soccer, under fifth year head coach Adrian Blewitt, advanced to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, defeating Arkansas State in the quarterfinals. Men's golf won the Little Rock Invitational in October for the second year in a row. Cross country student-athletes Isaac Lalang and Shenieke Watson took first place in the Trojans home meet. Volleyball wraps up its season and  will be back home for the last time this Friday night versus Arkansas State. Swimming and diving finishes up their fall schedule at Kansas in a couple weeks. I continue to be amazed at the GRIT our young people show as they represent Little Rock's Team.
 
For the first time, our department will host a "School Day" for our women's game versus Tulsa on Wednesday, November 15 at 11:30AM. We are encouraging all fans to park in Lot 16 for this game. Please visit this link for more information. We hope to make this an annual event and greatly appreciate your patience as we welcome to the Jack a large number of grade school students from central Arkansas.
 
We have announced Convention & Sports Leisure as the firm that will guide our University through the football and marching band feasibility study. This is a very important time in our history and this study will help us make the next best decision for UA Little Rock and Trojan Athletics. Regardless of what lies ahead for Trojan Athletics and the university, I cannot emphasize enough that our partnership with our city is critical. These are exciting times for Little Rock Athletics as we continue to build an identity as #LittleRocksTeam. 
 
I look forward to seeing you at the Jack Stephens Center this weekend. Thank you for your continued support of our student-athletes and coaches.
 
Go Little Rock!


Chasse S. Conque
Director of Athletics