Razorbacks participate in MLK celebration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A contingent of Arkansas Razorback student-athletes joined Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long at the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Planning Committee’s 13th Annual Recommitment Banquet on Monday evening.

"I was honored to be joined by a group of our student-athletes as we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr., Day at the recommitment banquet," Long said. "It is important to celebrate the heritage of our nation and the work that Dr. King did to promote civil rights for all individuals. Our more than 462 student-athletes in 19 sport programs represent a diverse community of outstanding young men and women. The recommitment banquet provided a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Dr. King’s dream and help fulfill a part of our intercollegiate athletics mission to educate our student-athletes outside the classroom and athletic venues."

Dr. Gene C. Young was the featured speaker at the banquet held at the Fayetteville Town Center. Additionally, the planning committee awarded its annual scholarships and individuals from the Northwest Arkansas community were honored for outstanding community service.

Those Razorback student-athletes in attendance included Erin Gray, Whitney Jones and Catherine White of women’s cross country and track and field, Chris Bilbrew, Randy Parker and Mychael Stewart of men’s track and field, Taylor King and Bradwin Williams of men’s tennis and Elton Ford of football.

Razorback student-athletes were joined at the banquet by Long and members of the Academics and Student Life offices including director Marvin Caston, Dee Dee Brown-Campbell, Waqna Damuni, Monica Jones and Temesha Greenlee.

As a part of its continued commitment to education, the Razorback athletic department will feature profiles of former African-American student-athletes on ArkansasRazorbacks.com as part of Black History Month. The profiles of the former Razorbacks will highlight the academic and athletic accomplishments of Arkansas’ outstanding student-athletes from a variety of sports.

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