LITTLE ROCK, AR. -
Neil Erisman, head coach of UA Little Rock Men's Wrestling, delivered an empowering message to members of the Rotary Club of Little Rock today after being invited to speak as part of the club's ongoing "Build Arkansas" programming.
Erisman's address focused on leadership, character development, and the power of vision-driven culture, drawing from his experience launching Little Rock's wrestling program in 2018 and building it into a nationally ranked, championship-level program. His remarks resonated with Rotary members as he connected lessons from athletics to broader applications in business, education, and community leadership.
"Man, it was a really incredible honor. I mean, we've been from the governor to the mayor and all sorts of really cool people that have been able to speak to us. Just being recognized for all the great things our program has done. To come represent that it's been a true blessing, so I'm very thankful," said Erisman.
Since taking the helm, Erisman has guided the Trojans to unprecedented success, including multiple NCAA qualifiers, All-Americans, conference honors, and the highest national ranking in program history. His leadership has positioned UA Little Rock Wrestling not only as a competitive force nationally, but as a model for intentional culture-building and student-athlete development.
Frank Cuervo, UA Little Rock's Vice Chancellor for Athletics and a proud member of the Rotary Club, emphasized the significance of Erisman's presence and impact beyond competition.
"Coach Erisman is a great example of what a Trojan should be and an Arkansan should be, so we're always thrilled to be able to share him with the community to build support not only for the wrestling program, but for the institution as a whole," said Cuervo.
Erisman's appearance underscored the Rotary Club's commitment to highlighting leaders who are shaping Arkansas through service, mentorship, and excellence. By sharing his journey and values, Erisman reinforced how investing in young people and holding firm to purpose-driven leadership can elevate organizations and communities alike.
