Jeff Long talks family, the Greenway and the changing landscape of college athletics

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

A familiar face might have caught your eye during the past year if you frequent the Razorback Greenway. If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool Razorback fan, and you’ve ever spotted a cyclist and wondered, ‘Could that be Jeff Long?’ you might have been onto something.

“I ride it three or four times a week,” Long said during a recent interview. “Sometimes more.”

At 64, Long’s daily rides typically span 25 to 40 miles. However, there’s a unique tradition he upholds on his birthday. For the past few years, he’s made it a point to cycle his age when the big day rolls around in September.

Jeff Long talks family, the Greenway and the changing landscape of college athletics

UA announces Arkansas Edge, an NIL collective for Razorback athletes

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

On Tuesday (Nov. 28), University of Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek announced details of a new name, image and likeness (NIL) collective for Razorback athletes called Arkansas Edge.

“As we continue to strategically position our programs to compete and win championships within the SEC and nationally, Arkansas Edge is the optimum way for Razorback fans to support our student-athletes through NIL,” Yurachek said in a UA news release.

Since the implementation of the new NCAA NIL guidelines on July 1, 2021, there has been a surge in the establishment of NIL collectives, especially within Power 5 schools. The collectives provide a platform for boosters and fans to engage with athletes through NIL deals, pooling resources and creating user-friendly marketplaces.

UA announces Arkansas Edge, an NIL collective for Razorback athletes

UA renames Razorbacks basketball practice facility for donors following $5M gift

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

The nonprofit Razorback Foundation announced Thursday (Jan. 26) a $5 million donation from the Marty and Marsha Martin family of Little Rock. That donation will secure naming rights to the University of Arkansas’ Basketball Performance Center on the Fayetteville campus.

UA athletics officials will officially unveil the Marsha and Marty Martin Family Basketball Performance Center on March 4 before the Arkansas-Kentucky men’s basketball game at Bud Walton Arena. According to a news release, the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees approved the name change at Thursday’s regular meeting.

“We are humbled by the generosity of the Martin family for this extraordinary gift,” UA Athletics Director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement. “For more than four decades, the Martins have displayed their passion for our program in numerous ways, including in investing their time and energy into cheering on our teams while also providing the support to help ensure our student-athletes and coaches are positioned for success. Our men’s and women’s basketball teams are fortunate to train and compete in one of the best basketball performance centers in the nation. It is certainly appropriate that this spectacular day-to-day Home of Razorback Basketball will now also honor this special family of Razorback fans.”

https://talkbusiness.net/2023/01/ua-renames-razorbacks-basketball-practice-facility-for-donors-following-5m-gift/

Governor Hutchinson Appoints Jeremy Wilson to UA Board of Trustees

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has appointed Jeremy Wilson of Bentonville to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas. Wilson replaces John Goodson, who has served since 2011. Wilson's term will expire March 1, 2031.

Wilson has over 25 years of business experience in the state and has founded or cofounded 10 companies in the past seven years. 

He is the founder of NOWDiagnostics, a leader in innovative diagnostic health testing. He currently serves as chairman of its board of directors. 

In 2012, he cofounded NewRoad Capital partners, one of Northwest Arkansas's largest private equity firms. 

Wilson has been recognized as one of Arkansas's 250 Most Influential Leaders for the past three years by Arkansas Business Publishing Group.

He is a graduate of the Walton College of Business and attended postgraduate studies through the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program. 

"I am delighted to appoint Jeremy Wilson to the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas. Jeremy recognizes the role the University currently plays in the region and throughout the state," Governor Hutchinson said. "With his experience, from the ground floor of several startups to multinational companies, he will bring an entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approach to the Board for the next decade and beyond."

"As a proud Razorback, I’m honored to be appointed to the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and have the opportunity to serve my alma mater and the entire University of Arkansas System," Wilson added. "The UA System is foundational to the culture and economics of the state of Arkansas and helping the University continue to grow this amazing legacy and its commitment to educational excellence is the honor of a lifetime. I thank Governor Hutchinson for the appointment."

The Governor added his appreciation to John Goodson for his service to the Board of Trustees. "I want to thank John for his decade of service to the UA System and his tenure as chair. He has left an indelible mark on the University of Arkansas, and I am grateful for his service."