Cotton Bowl to host Texas Southern vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

The Cotton Bowl has added a major sporting event Thanksgiving weekend as it hosts the Dallas Lone Star Classic football game between Texas Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The game is scheduled for Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m. The Lone Star Classic represents a coup for Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl because it will be held on a day when the stadium is otherwise quiet, said Daniel Huerta, executive general manager of Fair Park.

"This is going to add another mix to that long weekend and provide a new option for people to come out," Huerta said. "For families that may be in town for the Thanksgiving holidays, you now have a football game that you can go to at the Cotton Bowl."

Fair Park and BE Entertainment, the game's promoter, have a one-year contract for the game at the Cotton Bowl.

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UAPB Coleman glad to be in heat and pads

Friday was Monte Coleman’s kind of day. The sun was shining and he was on the football field. After two days of rain and cooler temperatures brought a reprieve from the nearly triple-digit temperatures to his team, Coleman was glad to see the mercury rising Friday.

“We needed the heat,” Coleman said. “Even though we play mostly night games, to condition in the heat gives you that extra endurance. Yesterday was a good practice day. Guys flew around. It gave them a break because it wasn’t real hot, which allowed them to run to the football.” Though Friday was the Golden Lions first day in full pads, the team still has a few players struggling with injuries. Freshman receiver Gionni Harris was noticeably limping during Friday’s practice, the result of a hamstring injury.

“We want to be patient with his injury. We don’t want it reaccuring,” Coleman said.

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff football attendance ranked in Top 25

Despite having only three home football games last season, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was ranked in the Top 25 in the nation in average attendance in the Football Championship Subdivision (formally known as Division I-AA).

The Golden Lions averaged 12,542 fans last season, which was good for 23rd in the nation and third-best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “All this proves is what we have known all along,” UAPB Director of Athletics Louis “Skip” Perkins said. “We have some of the greatest fans in not only the state of Arkansas, but the entire nation.”

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Unweathered: UAPB can't stop the rain; rain doesn't stop practice

Even Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Monte Coleman couldn’t stop mother nature. The man who made a living stopping NFL running backs couldn’t stop the rain. With his team fully entrenched in a practice Wednesday afternoon, the skies opened up. Rain and lightning poured out and the Golden Lions were forced inside. UAPB doesn’t have an indoor practice facilty, so the Golden Lions were forced to halt practice until the inclement weather subsided.

But Coleman, UAPB’s first-year head coach and fifth-year defensive coordinator, refused to blame it on the rain.

“The weather is part of it,” the former Washington Redskin said. “If we had a game, we would have to be out in it. (The weather) is not going to hinder us. We got 100 percent when we stepped on that practice field.”

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UAPB Golden Lions hold first practice

While Monte Coleman wasn’t in a hurry Monday, he wanted his team to be. In UAPB’s first practice of the season, Coleman, the team’s defensive coordinator and first-year head coach, was looking for one main component from his players: hustle. On a day to test his players conditioning and get his players implemented into the grind of football, Coleman was looking for those who would bust it from drill to drill.

“That’s about all I was looking for,” Coleman said. “We’re going to make mistakes. The young guys don’t know the plays, but they can hustle.”

That’s exactly what the Golden Lions did in the morning practice. Starting at 8:15 Monday morning, UAPB’s first session of the season was a conditioning test. Each player had to run 20 100-yard dashes. On the squad of more than 80-players not one person passed out our quit running. Every player completed it.

UAPB M4 Marching Band


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UAPB ready to put its newly added facilities to use

Expect to see some positively bug-eyed college football players when the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions report for their first official practice this morning at Golden Lion Stadium.

Many of them will be getting their first look at UAPB's new 27,000-square foot field house, one that features ample locker room space for home and visiting teams, a war room for the coaching staff, a new weight facility, offices for each coach and a training room complete with a hydrotherapy pool.

The team will spend the first two weeks practicing inside Golden Lion Stadium to let the grass take hold on a new practice field located behind the visitors stands. "I think some of the guys may cry, "first-year Golden Lions Coach Monte Coleman said.

J. Thomas May Field House with Golden Lion Stadium in the background. - Home of the UAPB Golden Lions Football Team.

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UAPB Golden Lions 2008 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time/Result
8/30/2008 UA-Monticello Pine Bluff 6:00 pm
9/6/2008 Henderson State Arkadelphia, AR 6:00 pm
9/13/2008 Central Arkansas Little Rock, AR 6:00 pm
9/18/2008 Alcorn State Lorman, MS 6:30 pm
9/27/2008 Alabama A&M Pine Bluff 6:00 pm
10/11/2008 Jackson State Pine Bluff 4:00 pm
10/18/2008 Prairie View A&M Pine Bluff 4:00 pm
10/25/2008 Lincoln (HC) Pine Bluff 2:30 pm
11/1/2008 Southern Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 pm
11/8/2008 Grambling State Little Rock, AR 4:00 pm
11/15/2008 Mississippi Valley State Pine Bluff 2:30 pm
11/29/2008 Texas Southern Dallas, TX 2:30 pm

Monte Coleman Head Football Coach / Defensive Coordinator
Jonathan Cannon Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Phillip Cole Tight Ends/Special Teams
Alonzo Hampton Defensive Backs (Corner)
Gary Harper Defensive Line
Henry Miller Defensive Backs (Safety)
Craig Raye Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
Keith Saine Running Backs
Winston Delane Quarterbacks Coach

Coleman Preaches Success at UAPB

Photo: UAPB Golden Lions first year head coach Monte Coleman.

(Click here to see UAPB's two-deep depth chart.)

Changes are in the mix for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions. The Golden Lions' successful recruiting class and eight returning starters will be the beginnings for new head coach Monte Coleman. Coleman is the same retired Washington Redskin linebacker who won three Super Bowl rings and played in the National Football League for 16 seasons.

Upon retirement, Coleman said he was denying himself of his true calling. As legendary as he's become in the sport that he now coaches, Coleman is also a prominent minister in the Assemblies of God denomination. "I was actually coming back to Pine Bluff to be a minister, then an opportunity here became available and I came on board," Coleman said.

"My first hope is for winning football games. I'm not used to losing. I especially want to win when I'm on the football field, but it takes players being disciplined. As a football team, if we put discipline in every thing we do, we can have some major accomplishments."

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Huntington's Jones headed to UAPB

Pitcher will also walk on to basketball team.

On the basketball court at Huntington High School, Kyle Jones was part of a family affair, playing for his father, Mack. When it came time to pick a college, the younger Jones decided to follow in his father's footsteps — at least geographically.

Kyle Jones signed a baseball scholarship with the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff where Mack Jones was a standout basketball player as a collegian. Kyle Jones will have the same opportunity as he will walk on to the Golden Lions' basketball team. "It had a lot to do with it," Kyle Jones said of his family's ties to UAPB. "I always wanted to go there since I was little. I went back in my closet and saw some stuff and I thought, 'I should keep it in the family tradition.'"

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New Era for Monte Coleman, UAPB Golden Lions

A new era has begun at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Former Washington Redskins, National Football League veteran linebacker Monte Coleman will begin his tenure as head football coach of the Golden Lions. Coleman is no stranger to Pine Bluff, having lived there in his youth and assisted former Golden Lions coaches after his retirement. Coleman won three Super Bowl rings with the Redskins in 16 seasons and upon his retirement entered the ministry.

Holding a Bible in one hand and a whistle in the other, figuratively speaking, Coleman plans to create strong Christian young men who win with heart and determination.

“My first hope is for winning football games — I’m not used to losing,” Coleman said. “I especially want to win when I’m on the football field, but it takes players being disciplined. As a football team, if we put discipline in everything we do, we can have some major accomplishments.”

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Arkansas Record Breaking Receiver coming to UAPB Golden Lions

Gionni Harris was a key component in helping Fayetteville unlock the door to the school's first-ever state football title in 2007. Now Harris will represent the Purple Dogs in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Football contest at Reynolds Razorback Stadium Friday at 7 p.m.

Harris is also an incoming freshman to the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions football program. The 5-8/160 WR/KR has lightning quickness running a 4.4/40.

Gionni Harris 2007 Offensive Highlights (RB/WR/KR)


Harris finished the season in 2007 with a school-record 1,218 receiving yards and also broke the school record for single-season receptions in the state title game. He snared 5 catches for 89 yards in the title tilt. He hauled in 64 receptions on the season, breaking the mark of 59 that stood for nine years. Harris' 14 receiving touchdowns this year set the new mark for single-season TD catches.

Harris leaves Fayetteville as the all-time leader in receptions(164), career receiving yards(2,839), career receiving touchdowns(29) and career special teams touchdowns(6).

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That's keeping 'em home, baby!

UAPB Golden Lions Roaring Abroad for Track Signees

The Arkansas Pine Bluff men’s and women’s cross country track-and-field squads recently signed eight student-athletes, according to Golden Lions’ head coach Curtis Pittman. Kenyan natives Magabo Damasin (Thika, Kenya) and Boniface Yator (Kabarnet, Kenya) will be joining UAPB men’s cross country teams in the fall. Both athletes specialize in the 1,500- and 5000-meter runs and cross country.

Pittman also signed Mathias Haller of Badeu-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Haller is expected to run the 400-meter, 800-meter and cross-country.

For the women’s team, Shelleyka C. Rolle of Freeport, Bahamas signed to run the 400 and 800. Kericho, Kenya native Gladys Cheronah Rob rounds out the Kenyan natives, while Papua, New Guinea’s Betty Burua signed to run the 400 and 800. Rob will run the 1,500-meter, 5,000-meter and cross country.

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Freshman Golden Lion and SU Jaguar Named Louisville Slugger All-American

PINE BLUFF -- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff freshman third baseman Matt Pace was named Wednesday to the "Louisville Slugger" All-America Baseball Team. He joins Southern University standout freshman Fraizer Hall, who was named to the team.

Pace, a former Warren High School standout, hit .369 with 5 home runs and a team-high 40 runs batted in during his freshman season with the Golden Lions. He was also among the nation's leaders in doubles with 23.

In addition to his recent All-American accolade, Pace was also named "Freshman of the Year" in the Southwestern Athletic Conference last month.

Southern University's Frazier Hall also earned a spot on the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team. Hall, used at catcher, first base and as a designated hitter, hit .393 with three homers, nine doubles and 33 RBIs. Hall was one of three catchers on the team.

The SU Jaguars' Hall and UAPB's Pace were the only players named to the team from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. No player was named from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference or the HBCU Independents.

View Complete List: Louisville Slugger's Freshman All-American Baseball Team

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UAPB Players make All-American Football Team

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff linebacker Tim Turner, along with teammates Ledarius Anthony and Stewart Franks, were recently named as members of the Consensus Draft Services Preseason All-American squad.

Turner, a 6-2, 215-pound senior from Little Rock was named to the Division I-AA first-team defense after leading the Golden Lions in tackles last season with 122. The Parkview High product also notched seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Anthony, a 6-6, 270-pound senior defensive end from Pine Bluff was tabbed for a spot on the Division I-AA second-team defense, after registering 66 tackles and 11 tackles for losses. The NFL prospect was among the leaders in sacks last season in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with 8.5.

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NFL's Bills Sign UAPB Receiver Jason Jones, to Free Agent Contract

by UAPB Sports Information

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Former University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff wide receiver Jason Jones confirmed that he will sign a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills later this week.

The Forrest City native averaged 20.8 yards per reception during his career at UAPB, setting both school and Southwestern Athletic Conference career records. He is one of only four other DI-AA wide receivers to catch at least 100 passes and average 20 yards per catch during their careers.

UAPB Jason Jones Highlights


Jones also holds the UAPB school record for both receiving yardage with 2,227 and touchdown catches with 22. His 13 TD receptions during the 2006 season set another Golden Lion record single-season record and his 98-yard touchdown reception against Southern Illinois in 2006 was another university record.

"The Bills were actually in touch with me before the draft was over," Jones said. "They didn't draft many wide receivers and Coach Tyke Tolbert [the Bills' wide receivers coach] told me I would have the opportunity to come in and play immediately. I leave Thursday for rookie camp and I'm excited about the opportunity. I can't wait to get up to Buffalo."

UAPB Jason Jones Pro-Day Workout 4/3/2008

UAPB’S success in Spring; Will it pay off in Fall?

Photo: The Golden Lions Schedule has only three road games outside of Arkansas in 2008, with no games against FCS powerhouses like Southern Illinois University played by UAPB in 2007.

For a team that won only four games in 2007, the players and coaches at Arkansas-Pine Bluff are excited about their chances in 2008.

Things have never been better for the UAPB football program, even if it is coming off of a 4-7 season. Keep in mind that the Golden Lions did win their final three games of the season last year. There is a thing called momentum and the returning players that are coming back from last season remember that.

With a new head coach in Monte Coleman, the Golden Lions are feeling rejuvenated these days. It helps matters that Coleman has been on the staff since 2004 and knows the players very well already. We’re not even into May yet and people are fired up for UAPB football, due to several factors, with the hiring of Coleman being one of them.

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Moore impresses as UAPB wraps up spring camp

Although the 2008 season does not begin until Aug. 30, Monte Coleman said that Saturday’s Black and Gold Game felt like a real game.

“This whole day has been feeling like it’s a game day instead of a scrimmage,” Coleman said. “It came to reality when my wife called and she was asking me all these questions about parking passes and tickets for the game. And I was saying it was only a practice. That’s when the reality was setting in that it was only a practice.”

The Black and Gold Game, “won” by the Black Team 24-8, won’t count in the standings, but it will help the first-year head coach evaluate the Golden Lions, who are coming off of a 4-7 campaign last season.

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UAPB and Alcorn State were originally scheduled to play each other on Saturday, Sept. 20, but the game has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 18 for television. The Sept. 18 matchup between UAPB and Alcorn will be televised on ESPNU at 4 p.m. Central.

UAPB Coleman makes transition easy

Monte Coleman’s ascension to head football coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff was about as smooth as college coaching changes get.

When the former Central Arkansas and NFL standout was bumped up from his defensive coordinator position after the dismissal of former Coach Mo Forte, Coleman passed on making sweeping changes. The coaching staff remained intact, as did the packages, plays and terminology.

Today’s Black and Gold scrimmage at 1 p.m. at Golden Lion Stadium will conclude UAPB’s 15-day spring practice session, and it should be an early indicator of whether more of the same is what the Golden Lions need.

Archive Photo: UAPB Golden Lions vs. New Mexico State University (2007).

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Today's Pine Bluff Commercial newspaper is reporting former UAPB players Jason Jones and Chris Wallace could be members of the National Football League by the end of this weekend.

Jones, who starred at wide receiver for the Golden Lions the last three seasons, has garnered interest from several teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and St. Louis Rams. Coach Monte Coleman said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have shown interest in Jones as well.

The 6-foot-1 Jones has been projected as a possible fourth to fifth round pick in this weekend’s NFL Draft. Wallace, who helped quarterback the Golden Lions to the SWAC Championship Game in 2006, may be a late-round pick or a free agent.

Pine Bluff’s Torii Hunter at home in L.A., continues to be a force on, off the field

Photo: Los Angeles Angels superstar Torii Hunter has provided UAPB with $500,000 in seed money to build an on campus baseball only stadium. The facility will be named in honor of Hunter, who never attended college.

Torii Hunter has won seven Gold Glove awards. He’s been named an American League All-Star twice. And the new contract he recently signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes him one of the wealthiest professional athletes in the world today.

The day the Pine Bluff native was taken 20th overall in the 1993 amateur baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins, he could’ve left his hometown and never looked back, like many athletes tend to do. But that’s not Hunter.

“I just like to help people,” Hunter said modestly. “And I’m in the position to do it.”

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UAPB's Ivory Signs Five in First Recruiting Class

Photo: UAPB Golden Lion head basketball coach George Ivory.

PINE BLUFF - George Ivory, recently hired as University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff men's basketball coach, announced a signing class of five athletes following the start of the spring national signing period on April 16. The Golden Lions signed three high school and two junior college transfers to NCAA national letters of intent.

"We're very excited about these players," Ivory, a former UAPB assistant coach who spent the past season on the staff at Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Mississippi Valley State. "I believe we've addressed some much-needed areas in our program with these five signees."

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UAPB hoping to scrimmage today despite wet conditions

Preparation is one of the key ingredients of a successful football program. For Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman, he’s got the preparation part down pat.

With the weather conditions that have plagued the state of Arkansas this spring, the Golden Lions have been affected by the wet weather as well. UAPB was forced to call off Wednesday’s practice at Old Pumphrey Stadium because of poor field conditions that were caused by the storms late Tuesday night.

Instead of going outside and practicing Wednesday, Coleman and the Golden Lions watched film of Tuesday’s practice. Tuesday was the first day of the spring that UAPB had practiced in full pads.

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