Dear Razorback Student-Athletes:
Today, as we celebrate National Student-Athlete Appreciation Day, I wanted to take an opportunity to express my excitement that our program is playing a part in your pursuit of fulfilling your dreams to succeed academically and athletically. Your continued accomplishments both on-and-off the field are shining examples of the focus of our mission – to develop student-athletes to their fullest potential through intercollegiate athletics.
Those who have not experienced it firsthand cannot fully comprehend the commitment that is required or the tremendous challenges you face day in and day out as a college student-athlete. From early morning strength and conditioning workouts, to class and then to the Jerry and Gene Jones Student-Athlete Success center to study, your schedule is packed full of multiple important daily priorities. Yet, even with the demands of enriching your lives through a college education while dedicating yourselves to compete and win in the most competitive conference in the nation you manage not just to meet those expectations, but to exceed them.
In the classroom, you continue to set new standards including posting a program record combined cumulative GPA of 3.25 after the fall semester. When the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll came out recently, you helped Arkansas rank atop the league in representatives in officially sponsored league sports. Most importantly, you are staying vigilant on the path to graduation – the ultimate goal for every student-athlete. More and more Razorback student-athletes are seeing their names added not just to their respective sports’ record books, but engraved on Senior Walk on our campus.
When you take the field or court, you are also helping contribute to one of the most successful all-sports programs in the nation. Even while only fielding 19 sports, your success has helped us rank consistently among the top programs in the nation, including a No. 16 finish last year in the Directors Cup, a program best. Whether winning bowl games, individual or team SEC or national championships, Arkansas continues to be well represented in our conference and the nation.
While academics and athletics would be more than enough to fill the hours of the day, you have committed to bettering yourselves through our student-athlete development programs.
From the Razorback Leadership Academy to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, from the social and professional development programs to connecting with your teammates to make a positive impact on the community and region through service, your investment in becoming the best individual you can be is inspiring.
I have had the privilege to be involved with intercollegiate athletics in various roles for more than four decades. And while the wins, championships and accomplishments are exciting, nothing brings me more satisfaction than to see how a young man or young woman comes into our program and leaves with a college diploma, the memories of competing in the SEC and the skills to be a productive member of our society.
So as we take a moment to pause and reflect on all that you are doing as Razorback student-athletes – I want to thank you. And just as they fill the stands and cheer you on as you compete in your respective sport, the Razorback Nation joins me in cheering you on day-after-day and year-after-year. The Razorback Family is truly something special and something you will always be a part of.
I hope you enjoy this special day and continue to feel the love and support of those around you.
As you continue to pursue your dreams as a Razorback student-athlete, our commitment remains to providing you with the resources and support you need to accomplish your goals in all facets of your student-athlete experience.
Within the Razorback program, I hope you feel appreciated each and every day. But more importantly, my hope is that you continue your individual development academically, athletically, emotionally and socially to prepare you for the lifelong journey ahead.
Go Hogs! Never Yield!
Jeff Long
Vice Chancellor
Director of Athletics
