CONWAY, Ark. (Oct. 25, 2006) - One of the state's oldest and finest rivalries will be meet one last time in Grove Gymnasium on the Hendrix College campus at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, when alumni players and coaches from both colleges compete in a fundraiser basketball game.
Former Coach Cliff Garrison, who will be coaching the Warrior team, recalls many great UCA-Hendrix games during his 31 years as Warrior basketball coach.
"These were always hard-fought, intense battles that many times came down to the last minutes of the game," said Garrison. "Many of these games were key AIC and NAIA District 17 match-ups in determining the champion. The stands would be packed an hour before the game, and the atmosphere would be electric. Both student bodies would have their chants and signs ready, and the proximity of the fans to the floor gave it a big-time feel."
The UCA staff will include Coach Don Dyer, assisted by honorary coach and former State Sen. Stanley Russ and former head coaches Don Nixon and Arch Jones, along with assistant coach Tommy Reed. The Hendrix staff will include Coach Garrison, assisted by honorary coach Jon Guthrie, long-time assistant Jim Holland, assistant Randy Deaton, and former head coach Lawrence Mobley.
Coach Dyer anticipates a player roster for UCA that includes former NBA star Scottie Pippen, Joe Sitkowski, Joe Couch, Donnie Smith, Matt Kordsmeier, L. C. Coty, Dennis Moore, Jimmy McClain, Greg Vaughn, Mickey Parrish, Steve Delph, George Sitkowski, Ronnie Martin, Frankie Davis, Jamie Beavers, Ronnie Branscum, Dionne Cole, Wally Love, John Hutchcraft, Rush Harding, Mel Blackwood and Robbie Davis.
Coach Garrison's anticipated roster will include Kevin Briggler, Keith Briggler, Robert Wright, Austin Sullivan, Lawson Pilgrim, Terry Bradshaw, Dr. Bill Rollefson, William Kellybrew, Tony McDaniel, Jason Rhodes, Johnny Taylor, Jason Bland, Chris Nail, Matt Hill, Stacy Vines, Mark Calvin, Greg Garrison and Luke Duffield. Other possible players will be Gary Maltbia, Jackie Banks, Craig Collier and Mike Cound.
The game is a fundraiser for the Faulkner County Council on Developmental Disabilities. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. The baskeball game is also a part of a slate of festivities planned during the last year Grove Gym will be open before the new Hendrix's new Wellness and Activities Center is completed for the 2007-08 academic year. The theme for the Hendrix activities is "GOODBYE GROVE: Thanks for the Memories."
Any Hendrix or UCA alumni basketball player who has not replied and would like to play in the alumni game is welcome to join the team. If interested, contact Garrison (450-1315), Dyer (327-0301), or Robert Wright (327-3037).
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Contact: Cliff Garrison, 501/450-1315, garrison@hendrix.edu