UCA Magazine

Baseball With The Bears

Baseball
UCA player Chris Durham pitches during a game against Tennesee Tech University at Bears Stadium on February 24, 2016. The Bears defeated Tennessee Tech for the first win of the season. The team will compete in a “Rock ‘n’ Roar” Rivalry” with UALR on April 13 at Bears Stadium and again at Dickey Stevens Park on May 17.

The University of Central Arkansas started a series of baseball-centric events in partnership with Office of Alumni Relations, which began in March and stretching out into summer.

In March and April, “We are starting a new rivalry between the UCA Bears and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Trojans,” said Derek Walter, director of ticketing in the UCA Athletic Department. “This series is called the “Rock ‘n’ Roar Rivalry” and is unlike most because it includes student participation.”

The Office of Alumni Relations will help promote the home and away games, and a trophy will be awarded to the winning school.

This will be based on “Money Donated to Team Impact,” a student competition to raise money, and the competition on the field.

“We would love to see all of central Arkansas out for these games,” said Walter.

In April, Alumni Day with the Bears will take place at Bear Stadium. There will also be an Alumni Day with the Bears in May at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock.There will be free admission for UCA alums and their families.

“It’s really about bringing the UCA community together to have the opportunity to hang out, reconnect and do fun stuff together,” said John David Pittman, member of the Alumni Association.

The Office of Alumni Relations will sponsor two of the baseball events taking place in June. Events in June include a night out at Busch Stadium with a party suite where UCA alums can enjoy a St. Louis Cardinals game. This will be a ticketed event and will include admission, food and beverage. Tickets are $100 and only 30 are available.

Also taking place in June is the fourth annual “Night with the Travs” event at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock. This is a tradition for UCA alumni, and includes a picnic for UCA alums and their families. The event has proven to be a popular one, with numerous attendees returning year after year. The “Night With the Travs” picnic will feature a casual buffet of burgers, hot dogs, beans, chips, popcorn and soft drinks. Tickets are $15 and include admission and a buffet.For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit uca.edu/alumni.