GAC presidents approve minor changes
RUSSELLVILLE — Following a meeting of the presidents of the 12 Great American Conference institutions, the league announced multiple changes to the league’s bylaws, effective for the 2018-19 academic season.
By unanimous contest, the 12 presidents approved a new softball scheduling policy that penalizes programs should they schedule and play more non-conference games that would put their total above the NCAA Division II limit of 56 games once factoring in remaining league contests. Such a violation will trigger a penalty of nullification in conference standings via NCAA championship policies and a four-game suspension for the offending head coach.
The council passed a new tennis conference schedule that mandates matches must be contested during a pre-determined week in an effort to prevent a backlog of matches being made up at the end of the season.
The council approved permissive use of the volleyball Challenge Review System by league schools, but did not make it a mandatory requirement. The GAC has utilized CRS at the previous two GAC Championships.
On the recommendation of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the presidents unanimously approved the establishment of an operating manual and by-laws for the SAAC. Division II best practices have directed conference SAAC’s to develop operating manuals and by-laws. Representatives from each campus established these policies during their retreat and will give the GAC SAAC a more organized framework for its operation.
The league finalized a multi-year agreement with Eaton’s Ephesus Sports Lighting to become the official sports lighting provider of the GAC.
“Since we installed one of the first solid-state lighting system in a North American sports arena, facility operators and team executives have come to understand that our digital lighting solutions offer a distinct advantage when compared to conventional LED lights in creating an enhanced stage for fans and performers,” said Mike Lorenz, president, Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting business.
Lastly, the council will feature a new chair as Northwestern Oklahoma State President Janet Cunningham takes over that role and Bruce McClarty begins a term as the vice chair.
McIntyre, Nelson qualify for World Finals
M.J. McIntyre and Hunter Nelson recently won first place in their division of the Arkansas Youth Fishing Foundation’s championship tournament to qualify for this week’s 2018 High School Fishing World Finals And National Championship on Lake Pickwick in Florence, Ala.
The team of Kyle Shoemaker and Blake Bissell, along with McIntyre and Nelson, qualified to fish in the Texas Fallen Heroes Youth Fishing Championship earlier this month.
McIntyre and Nelson placed second overall this season in the AYFF’s High School division. They also won first place at Lake Hamilton.
Patrick Covey and Collin Ferrell placed sixth overall in the Junior division. Shoemaker and Bissell finished in ninth, including a first-place finish on Lake Millwood.
Shoemaker and Covey placed eighth overall in the Arkansas Bassmasters High School Series. McIntyre and Nelson finished in 24th.
Henderson swimmers earn CSCAA Scholar All-America team honors
ARKADELPHIA — The Henderson State women’s swimming and diving team was recently recognized for its work in the classroom when it was named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association Scholar All-America list for the 2018 spring semester.
The team carried a 3.16 grade point average during the spring and were one of 710 teams from 476 different institutions across the country to receive recognition.
The CSCAA recognizes teams with the Scholar All-America Award for achieving a team GPA of 3.0 or better The Sioux Falls women and Adelphi Men led all Division II programs with GPAs of 3.80 and 3.64, respectively.
DeGray Lake to host 4th Freedom 5K Fun Run
BISMARCK — DeGray Lake Resort State Park will host its fourth annual Freedom 5K Fun Run on Wednesday from 8-10:00 a.m.
Registration is open at https://runsignup.com. The registration fee is $30. Online registration closes on Monday.
Last-minute registration will be available in person, at the lodge front desk from Tuesday through race day morning until 7 a.m. Last-minute registration is $20 and does not include a shirt or post-race meal.
Runners, walkers, marchers, and dancers of all ages and abilities are welcome. The five-kilometer course traverses a mix of paved surfaces with scenic lake views and single track trails through shaded pine forest.
A patriotic costume contest will once again be held. Participants are encouraged to dress and run in their most patriotic and family friendly attire for a chance to win a two-night stay in any one of Arkansas’ five lodge state parks. The costume contest winner will be announced during the medal ceremony immediately following the race.
The overall first-place finisher and overall costume contest winner will each be awarded two nights stay at any one of the five lodges. Race age-group winners will be awarded one interpretive multi-pass, redeemable for one admission per DeGray Lake snorkel, kayak, or lake tour or two admissions per golf course safari or crafty corner program.
Post-race meal options include a choice of hamburger, hot dog, brat, or pulled pork sandwich with chips and a drink. Food and drinks will be available. Those who reg-
ister after Monday may purchase their own meals beginning at noon from the concession tent on the lodge lawn.
Holiday festivities will be held later in the day, including the watermelon eating contest, water relays, kayak races, bag toss tournament and fireworks show.
Lupus Foundation’s memorial golf tournament planned for September
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Lupus Foundation of Arkansas, Inc., recently announced the 21st annual Terry Paul Thode Lupus Golf Tournament will be held this year at the Magellan Golf Course, 451 Ponce de Leon Drive.
Tee time for the four-person will be 9 a.m. on Sept. 10. The entry fee is$85 per person or $340 per team.
Online registration is available at http://www.lupus-arkansas.com. Call 501-525-9380 or 800-294-8878 for registration forms.
Refreshments will be served during the event and lunch will be served at the Balboa Pavilion afterward. Prizes, mulligans, longest drive for both male and female, and other games will be available
The Ace level title sponsorship is $2,500. Eagle level is $1,500, Birdie level is $500 and Par level will be $200.