Posted April 5, 2005 6:13 p.m.

It’s springtime here at UCA, but fans, it’s no time to stop supporting the Bears. Spring sports may not always draw the fanatics like basketball and football, but this could be the most important spring sport schedule in UCA’s history.

UCA comes into the spring sports leading the Gulf South Conference All-Sports Trophy standings in both the men’s and women’s division. And if all goes well this spring, both of those trophies could be making their way back to Conway this summer.

The All-Sports Trophy is awarded annually to the GSC’s top programs. Every GSC championship sport is featured into the equation. Points are awarded based on how well the team did during that sport’s season, and the number of points per sport depend on the number of teams that compete in each particular sport. For example, there are 17 men’s basketball teams in the GSC. The team that ends the year with the best record of all GSC teams will get 17 points, second gets 16 and so on. In the case of a tie, the teams get half-points. For instance, two teams tie for the 15-point mark, well both teams get 14.5 points.

Both basketball programs were big for UCA, bringing home more points than any other sport at UCA.

The Sugar Bears’ 28-7 finish resulted in 17 points to help the women’s push for the trophy. The Sugar Bear cross country team nailed down 15 points for the women back in the fall. Strong finishes from the women’s soccer team and the volleyball team resulted in giving the women six and a half and six points, respectively. That gives UCA a total of 44.5 points; four in front of second place Alabama-Huntsville.

The two women’s sports remaining are tennis and softball. The UAH softball team has a 36-8 record so far this season but is struggling in the GSC with just a 6-5 record in the conference. The Bears are 12-17 overall and 5-7 in the conference. The softball teams are virtually even from a conference record standpoint, although UAH may bring home more points when it’s all said and done.

On the tennis front, however, it looks good for the purple and gray. UAH’s women’s tennis squad is suffering through a 2-9 season, 1-4 in the GSC. While the UCA tennis team is ripping through its opponents, they find themselves with a 6-0 record in the conference and only one loss overall. The Sugar Bears also find themselves ranked No. 24 in the nation.

If the tennis team continues its path and the softball team gets a little lift, the women’s trophy should be well on it’s way to Conway.

On the men’s side of things, it could be a little tighter of a race. The men have three sports left (baseball, golf and tennis). However, UCA doesn’t have a men’s tennis team, which could be its downfall. The Bears are holding just a two and a half point lead of Harding, 34-31.5.

Harding has a tennis team and is currently second in the GSC West. However, the Bisons’ baseball team is lingering at the bottom of the division while the Bears are situated near the top.

It may all come down to golf. UCA has had several strong appearances on the course so far this year and could bring home the trophy thanks to a couple more high finishes in tournaments.

The men’s basketball team tied with West Georgia for the second most points with 14.5; football gained 9.5 points for UCA; soccer brought home seven; and cross country got the Bears three points.

So it’s that time of year when everyone’s ready to go home and enjoy the long summer break, but there’s some more great sports to be had. Every spring sport is still in a championship hunt of its own.

And that, my friends, is reason enough to catch yourself some spring sport action this year.

Before I run off this week, I’ve got a few brief observations from the world of sport:

• It’s amazing how just a week ago, we were treated to maybe the greatest Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament history, and Saturday we were treated to maybe the worst national semifinals in NCAA history.

• I still don’t think I’m fully recovered from the Sugar Bears exit from the national semifinals. It’s almost a bad thing to make it that far as a basketball team, because you know if you don’t win the whole thing, your season isn’t going to end very pleasantly.

But really, that may be the greatest team to ever come through the Farris Center, and I am proud to say I got to watch them play night-in and night-out.

• Spring practice is raging on over at the practice fields and the new Pepsi Indoor Sports Complex, and the team has, so far, exceeded my expectations. With two new quarterbacks and changes across both lines and half the coaching staff, I was expecting a shaky scrimmage last Friday, but it may be one of the better spring scrimmages I can remember in my time covering the Bears.

• The indoor facility might not be the greatest looking thing from the outside, but the thing is spectacular on the inside. The turf is incredibly realistic, so much so Josh Goff and I even found a rock in the artificial surface. But seriously, it is a spectacular facility and will benefit the football program quite nicely.

Thanks, Pepsi.





		Spring no time to rest


		Posted April 5, 2005 6:13 p.m. It’s springtime here at UCA, but fans, it’s no time to stop supporting the Bears. Spring sports may not always draw the fanatics like basketball and football, but this could be the most important spring sport schedule in UCA’s history. UCA comes into the spring sports leading the Gulf South Conference All-Sports Trophy standings in both the men’s and women’s division. And if all goes well this spring, both of those trophies could be making their way back to Conway this summer. The All-Sports Trophy is awarded annually to the GSC’s top programs. Every GSC championship sport is featured into the equation. Points are awarded based on how well the team did during that sport’s season, and the number of points per sport depend on the number of teams that compete in each particular sport. For example, there are 17 men’s basketball teams in the GSC. The team that ends the year with the best record of all GSC teams will get 17 points, second gets 16 and so on. In the case of a tie, the teams get half-points. For instance, two teams tie for the 15-point mark, well both teams get 14.5 points. Both basketball programs were big for UCA, bringing home more points than any other sport at UCA. The Sugar Bears’ 28-7 finish resulted in 17 points to help the women’s push for the trophy. The Sugar Bear cross country team nailed down 15 points for the women back in the fall. Strong finishes from the women’s soccer team and the volleyball team resulted in giving the women six and a half and six points, respectively. That gives UCA a total of 44.5 points; four in front of second place Alabama-Huntsville. The two women’s sports remaining are tennis and softball. The UAH softball team has a 36-8 record so far this season but is struggling in the GSC with just a 6-5 record in the conference. The Bears are 12-17 overall and 5-7 in the conference. The softball teams are virtually even from a conference record standpoint, although UAH may bring home more points when it’s all said and done. On the tennis front, however, it looks good for the purple and gray. UAH’s women’s tennis squad is suffering through a 2-9 season, 1-4 in the GSC. While the UCA tennis team is ripping through its opponents, they find themselves with a 6-0 record in the conference and only one loss overall. The Sugar Bears also find themselves ranked No. 24 in the nation. If the tennis team continues its path and the softball team gets a little lift, the women’s trophy should be well on it’s way to Conway. On the men’s side of things, it could be a little tighter of a race. The men have three sports left (baseball, golf and tennis). However, UCA doesn’t have a men’s tennis team, which could be its downfall. The Bears are holding just a two and a half point lead of Harding, 34-31.5. Harding has a tennis team and is currently second in the GSC West. However, the Bisons’ baseball team is lingering at the bottom of the division while the Bears are situated near the top. It may all come down to golf. UCA has had several strong appearances on the course so far this year and could bring home the trophy thanks to a couple more high finishes in tournaments. The men’s basketball team tied with West Georgia for the second most points with 14.5; football gained 9.5 points for UCA; soccer brought home seven; and cross country got the Bears three points. So it’s that time of year when everyone’s ready to go home and enjoy the long summer break, but there’s some more great sports to be had. Every spring sport is still in a championship hunt of its own. And that, my friends, is reason enough to catch yourself some spring sport action this year. Before I run off this week, I’ve got a few brief observations from the world of sport: • It’s amazing how just a week ago, we were treated to maybe the greatest Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament history, and Saturday we were treated to maybe the worst national semifinals in NCAA history. • I still don’t think I’m fully recovered from the Sugar Bears exit from the national semifinals. It’s almost a bad thing to make it that far as a basketball team, because you know if you don’t win the whole thing, your season isn’t going to end very pleasantly. But really, that may be the greatest team to ever come through the Farris Center, and I am proud to say I got to watch them play night-in and night-out. • Spring practice is raging on over at the practice fields and the new Pepsi Indoor Sports Complex, and the team has, so far, exceeded my expectations. With two new quarterbacks and changes across both lines and half the coaching staff, I was expecting a shaky scrimmage last Friday, but it may be one of the better spring scrimmages I can remember in my time covering the Bears. • The indoor facility might not be the greatest looking thing from the outside, but the thing is spectacular on the inside. The turf is incredibly realistic, so much so Josh Goff and I even found a rock in the artificial surface. But seriously, it is a spectacular facility and will benefit the football program quite nicely. Thanks, Pepsi.