LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock Athletics is pleased to announce the three inductees that will comprise the 2020 Trojan Athletic Hall of Fame class.
Stacy Johnson-Smith ('92), Derin McMains ('04) and
Ray Tucker will officially take their place among the Trojan all-time greats during Hall of Fame Weekend, being held January 10-11, 2020.
"In Stacy, Derin and Ray we have three individuals who have accomplished an unbelievable amount throughout their careers as Trojans and in life," said Director of Athletics
George Lee. "To see how far our soccer and baseball programs have come, it is because of the efforts and achievements of Stacy and Derin who helped set the bar high for our student-athletes today. Ray Tucker is the purest example of one who has the true heart of a Trojan and what he has helped us build here throughout the years is truly special."
Little Rock will hold an induction ceremony for the three honorees on Friday, January 10, the night prior to the Trojans' basketball doubleheader on Saturday, January 11.
A Letterman's social will be held Friday, January 10 at the Jack Stephens Center following the induction ceremony. Former letter winners will have the opportunity to visit with their programs through individual activities the morning of January 11 and will receive two complimentary tickets to the doubleheader while being honored at halftime of the men's game.
With the additions of Johnson-Smith, McMains and Tucker, the Little Rock Athletics Hall of Fame now consists of 71 individuals and four teams.
STACY JOHNSON-SMITH (Women's Soccer, 1992)
Stacy Johnson-Smith's name is found throughout the Little Rock soccer record book as she was one of the early pioneers that helped set the foundation for the Trojan soccer program. Johnson-Smith is the program's all-time leader in goals (33) and is third all-time in points (74), playing for head coaches Logan Fleck (1988) and Roy Stanley (1989-91).
A prolific scorer, Johnson-Smith still holds the program record for goals in a game (four, which she did twice) and a season (15 in 1990) and her 33 points in 1989 is still the program's single-season record. A three year captain for the Trojans, Johnson-Smith was an honorable mention NAIA All-American in 1990 and helped lead Little Rock to its first-ever postseason appearance in 1989.
Johnson-Smith graduated with her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1992, then returned to earn her master's degree in educational leadership in 2003. She has spent 26 years in education in Arkansas as both an educator and administrator and currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner for Learning Services at the Arkansas Department of Education.
DERIN McMAINS (Baseball, 2004)
Derin McMains spent two seasons with the Trojan baseball program after transferring from Westark College and made his presence felt during his two seasons at Gary Hogan Field. McMains ranks among the top-10 in a number of statistical categories for the Trojans, including still sitting as Little Rock's all-time leader in career batting average at .366.
McMains holds the program's single season record with 62 runs in 2000, finishing with 116 for his career and ranking fourth all-time. He ranks second all-time with 112 RBI for his career and was a two-time All-Sun Belt and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region selection. McMains was also earned a pair of All-America honors in 2001, earning third team ABCA/Rawlings honors and was a second team Verizon Academic All-American honoree.
McMains was drafted in the 11th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants and spent six seasons in the Giants' minor league system, being named an All-Star in 2003 and earing the Harry S. Jordan Award for the Giants' best spring training rookie in 2006. He was a member of the Giants' Player Development staff, earning three World Series rings in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and currently works as the Peak Performance Coordinator for the Seattle Mariners.
RAY TUCKER (Broadcaster)
Ray Tucker has become synonymous as the "Voice of the Little Rock Trojans," having been associated with the department for the last 35 years. Tucker has served as the play-by-play radio voice of the Trojans since 2000, calling some of the most memorable moments in program history, including Sun Belt Championships and NCAA tournament appearances in 2011 and 2016.
Tucker has served as the host of numerous Trojan coaches shows on both television and radio since 1984, dating back to when he was the Sports Director at KTHV Channel 11. A two-time Sportscaster of the Year for the state of Arkansas, Tucker won a pair of Best Play-By-Play honors from the Associated Press Broadcasters Association for his calls against Baylor in 1988 and Arkansas State in 1993.
Tucker has made a lasting impression on the sports media landscape in Arkansas outside of his involvement in Little Rock Athletics. He has worked in a play-by-play and analyst capacity for Arkansas Razorback, Memphis Tiger and Oklahoma State football broadcasts and hosts Ray Tucker's Arkansas Outdoors, the top outdoor radio show in the state, while also serving as a co-host for DrieveTime Sports on 103.7 The Buzz. Tucker also served as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame from 1998-2014.
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