Men?s track honored on campus

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Members of the Razorback men’s track and field team were honored by University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart and his wife Jane at the Wallace W. and Jama M. Fowler House recently for winning the 2009 Southeastern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship.

The Gearharts, in conjunction with Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long, have formed a new initiative to honor Razorback teams that win an SEC Championship with a ceremony at the Fowler House, the home of Chancellor and Mrs. Gearhart. The men’s track and field team became only the second Razorback squad to be honored at the Fowler House.

"We are proud to recognize the outstanding team achievement of our men’s track and field team in winning the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field Championship," Long said. "Even with our storied tradition in track and field, winning an SEC Championship is never an easy task in the most competitive conference in the nation. We appreciate Chancellor Gearhart and Jane for opening up their home to help us honor these special student-athletes for their accomplishments in the classroom and on the track. Congratulations to Coach Bucknam, his staff and this group of extraordinary young men on their outstanding achievements."

The Arkansas men’s track and field team, coaches and support staff attended the reception and ceremony at the Fowler House on Sunday evening. Members of the team were presented with a Chancellor’s Award medal recognizing their outstanding achievements in athletic competition and academic endeavors.

"A chance to visit the Fowler House and visit with Chancellor and Mrs. Gearhart was a great opportunity for our student-athletes and our staff," head coach Chris Bucknam said. "We were honored to be part of what has become a new tradition of recognizing SEC Championships teams. Winning the SEC Indoor title was a great accomplishment for our program and we are happy to share that success with the Gearharts, Jeff Long, the University of Arkansas and the entire Razorback community."

Members of the athletic department’s executive staff were also on hand for the reception.

The Razorbacks won the 2009 SEC Indoor Track and Field title in February. The championship was the first for Bucknam at the helm of the Arkansas program. Junior Dorian Ulrey (mile, 3,000 meters), senior Alex McClary (800 meters) and the distance medley relay won individual titles and Arkansas had seven student-athletes earn runner-up finishes in their respective events.

For more information about Arkansas Athletics, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.