LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Supporters of Little Rock Wrestling gathered Monday afternoon at Pleasant Valley Country Club for the sixth annual Little Rock Wrestling Golf Tournament, an event that has grown from a young program fundraiser into one of the premier supporter events surrounding Trojan Athletics.
Led by key sponsors including The Hatcher Agency, Datamax, Advantage Service Company and Harrison Energy, the tournament once again brought together alumni, business leaders, community supporters, former wrestlers and fans to support one of the nation's rising wrestling programs.
"It's a really cool event that we started," Little Rock head coach
Neil Erisman said. "It has continued to grow over the years and is something our supporters and team really look forward to."
The tournament helps support operational costs for the program, including travel, equipment, gear and staff retention, while also serving as one of the program's biggest community-building events of the year.
Recently retired Datamax President Barry Simon has been involved with the tournament since its inception and said the support stems from the culture the wrestling program has built under Erisman.
"One of the things I've always enjoyed is how the wrestlers are always there," Simon said. "They're always helping you. They're always friendly. After every match, they come shake your hand. It's good being supportive of a program that loves the community and is proud of the people that come watch it."
Simon said one of the event's unique aspects is how it continues introducing new people to the sport of wrestling.
"You've got some people who come here and don't really know anything about wrestling," Simon said. "Then all of a sudden, they're learning what a takedown is, what riding time is and all the different things that go into it. It's exciting because now they're getting behind the program."
That growing visibility has mirrored the rapid rise of the program nationally.
Little Rock has finished inside the national Top 25 for three consecutive seasons and continues to produce elite-level wrestlers, highlighted by three-time All-AmericanÂ
Stephen Little, who placed third nationally this past season and enters next year among the nation's top returning contenders at 197 pounds.
"It's unbelievable to see where the program has gotten in such a short period of time," Simon said. "
Stephen Little being right there on the national stage does nothing but help bring wrestlers here because they see the camaraderie and culture Coach Erisman has built."
Among the wrestlers interacting with supporters Monday was NCAA qualifierÂ
Brock Herman, who said the tournament gives athletes a chance to personally connect with the people supporting the program.
"I came out here for this last year, and it was a blast," Herman said. "It was my first time really meeting a lot of the guys, and we were just laughing it up and having a good time. Coach Neil does a great job putting this all together."
Herman said events like the golf tournament help strengthen the relationship between the program and the community.
"I think it's awesome," Herman said. "Just coming together, meeting everyone and having good conversations with people. It's a fun way to end the year and raise money for the team."
Herman transferred to Little Rock from Ohio State prior to the season and quickly became part of the Trojans' nationally competitive lineup, eventually qualifying for the NCAA Championships at 157 pounds in his home state.
"When I first came here, I really didn't know how things were going to go," Herman said. "Coach Neil and all the coaches did a great job getting me ready for the national tournament. That was my goal — to get there and become an All-American. That didn't happen, but now I know what I need to work on."
Herman said competing through Little Rock's demanding schedule helped prepare him for the national stage.
"We had one of the toughest schedules as a team," Herman said. "Experiencing the NCAA Tournament and being there is going to prepare me for this upcoming year."
Erisman said the program's growth extends beyond results on the mat.
"One of my favorite things is when we're out in public and people recognize our guys and congratulate them," Erisman said. "People are opening the door for us to tell them more because they know who we are and we're starting to become visible. That's been really fun."
The tournament itself has also become an annual tradition supporters anticipate every spring.
"It's that time of year again where everybody knows we're kind of that second Monday in May," Erisman said. "We always get new teams, but we also get this group of people that continue to come support us every year."
The event's relaxed atmosphere also gives supporters an opportunity to interact directly with the student-athletes, something Erisman believes has helped strengthen the program's connection with the community.
"It's a way for the athletes to interact with the people who support us," Erisman said. "People want to support you more when they know who you are."
Simon believes the visibility the program has generated throughout the state is helping wrestling continue to grow in Arkansas.
"We have former Little Rock wrestlers coaching in Arkansas now, and you're seeing more people understand the sport," Simon said. "The Pac-12 affiliation helped, the national success helped, and now people around the community know what Little Rock Wrestling is all about."
As the tournament wrapped up Monday afternoon at Pleasant Valley, the feeling around the program remained clear — the support surrounding Little Rock Wrestling continues to grow alongside the program's national profile.
"I'm really happy with what we've established here," Erisman said. "But I still think we can reach much higher."
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