Razorback fans pre-game

Moncrief headlines benefit

University of Arkansas Chancellor Dave Gearhart welcomed Razorback supporters to “the University of Arkansas south campus” at a reception he and wife Jane hosted Sept. 26 at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The reception was a pre-Southwest Classic soiree. The Sept. 27 game was the first of 11 in the resumed series of annual football games versus Texas A&M University played at AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) in Arlington.

Gearhart told us the Fayetteville campus is seeing such tremendous growth that the university was recently ranked the seventh fastest growing university and has seen 7,000 students increase since 2008.

Those rallying for the Razorbacks on the eve of the game included Gene and Jerry Jones, Greg Sankey, Angela and UA Trustee Mark Waldrip, Lewis Epley, Susan and UA Trustee Morril Harriman, UA Trustee Jane and Jay Rogers, Stacy Leeds, Tom Smith, Jeanne and Doyle Groff, Jimmie McKissick and Suzy and Chuck Fehlig,

Yvonne Richardson Community Center backers gathered Tuesday evening at the Fayetteville Town Center for the third annual benefit banquet, Celebrate Our Kids: Creating, Connecting and Celebrating. Sidney Moncrief, former UA Razorback basketball stand out and NBA All-Star, coach, businessman and author, delivered the event’s keynote address.

Cynthia Nance, dean emeritus of the UA School of Law and the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, told us the nonprofit organization “promotes educational and recreational activities to the Fayetteville multicultural community.”

Center initiatives for children include the Kids Nite after school program, Kid Crops, X-Factor homeschool physical education, Fayetteville youth wrestling club and pickleball. Adult programs include basketball and the LifeSource International food basket outreach.

John L Colbert said that proceeds from the 2013 benefit allowed the center to purchace a van to take children on field trips.

Among those lending their support to the Yvonne Richardson Community Center were Nolan Richardson, Charles Balentine, Jim Counce, Mary Beth Brooks, Gerald Jordan, Jo and state Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, Le Ann and Bill Underwood, Laura and Craig Underwood, Synetra Morris, Stephanie Adams, Erica Holliday, Barbara Lofton, Nancy and Nate Al

len and Todd Jenkins.

STAFF PHOTOS CARIN SCHOPPMEYER University of Arkansas Chancellor Dave Gearhart, from left, UA Vice Chancellor and Athletic Director Jeff Long, Dallas Cowboys owner and UA alumni Jerry and Gene Jones and Southeastern Conference Executive Associate Commisioner and Chief Operating...

Jim Counce, from left, Charles Balentine, Tenisha Gist, Yvonne Richardson Center executive director, and Nolan Richardson stand for a photo at the nonprofit organization’s Celebrate Our Kids benefit Tuesday evening at the Fayetteville Town Center.

Sidney Moncrief, Celebrate Our Kids keynote speaker, from left, John L Colbert, Yvonne Richardson Community Center board president, and Charles Balentine stand for a photo at the benefit Tuesday evening.

Jo and state Sen. Uvalde Lindsey help support the Yvonne Richardson Center at the Celebrate Our Kids benefit.

Dave and Jane Gearhart, from left, visit with Angela and UA Trustee Mark Waldrip at the Southwest Classic reception.

Mark Power, from left, UA Trustee Jane Rogers, Chris Wyrick, Lewis Epley, Wally and Betty Lundrum and Jay Rogers attend the Southwest Classic reception Sept. 26.

Sean Rochelle, from left, Jimmie McKissick and Susan and UA Trustee Morril Harriman visit at the Southwest Classic reception in Dallas.

Craig and Laura Underwood, from left, and Le Ann and Bill Underwood enjoy the Yvonne Richardson Center fundraiser Tuesday evening.