I loved hearing from Darrell Walker about how coach Kaundart changed his life coming to Fort Smith from Chicago. Lastly, we want to get around campus and meet our campus and our Fort Smith community. Not long after the coaching search began, Coach Boone became an intriguing candidate. The 17-game improvement represents the best among NCAA Division II institutions over this period of time. He said he knows his words were not well chosen and he offended many in the community. University of Arkansas Fort Smith Director of Athletics Curtis Janz announced Tuesday morning that Jim Boone has been hired as mens basketball head coach. The page you are looking for no longer exists. We will be up-tempo offensively and get the ball up the floor in transition. They said former UAFS men's basketball coach Justin Bailey was placed on administrative leave after being arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. #RunToTheRoar . One that was deemed more than worthy of his name being attached to the Stubblefield Center, which was opened in 2002. Baileys coaching career began at the club level where he served as an assistant coach for the Arkansas Sleepers for two seasons before being promoted to head coach in 2006. "Anytime you get a chance to honor a true legend of your university, it is really special," Janz said. The Lady Lions' last eight regular-season games were canceled because of COVID-19. Men's Basketball Head Coach 479-788-7592 479-788-7592 @CoachJimBoone: Jimmy Boone: Assistant Men's Basketball Coach . It will air on KFPW AM1230 until the conclusion of UAFS Baseball on Fox Sports Radio 103.5. UAFS finished tied for first place in the conference, earning its seventhberth in the conference tournament. We were going to do something but then couldn't do it. Boone was inducted into the California (Pa.) Hall of Fame in 2005. Lovato coached the Lady Lions for two seasons. It is important to him to have a program that develops young men . The letter described what the Williamses called a racist act by Boone in regards to the Tyler Williams dreadlocks hairstyle. 11/11/2022 1:15:00 PM. A letter by Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Williams and Tyler Allen Williams, a former UAFS student and basketball player, was posted on Facebook Aug. 31. We will hire our staff, and, very much as in recruiting our team, our staff will be about the right fit, people who fit and will embrace our culture. Kaundart's family, wife Ruth, and sons Wes and Wyatt, were honored during the celebration. When people make that kind of impact in your life, you get the whole range of emotions. He is the winningest UAFS women's basketball coach in program history. The stars finally aligned on Dec. 8 to make it all official with a ceremony during halftime of the men's basketball game that night. In the release, Jennings said the NAACP branch seeks to hold Chancellor Riley to her avowed assurance of a UAFS that is an inclusive environment that values all members of our community.. Assistant Coach : Arizona State, 2014 : 2022-23 Support Staff Printer Friendly Version Name Position . He left EMU after the 2005 season for Tusculum College, a member of NCAA DII and the South Atlantic Conference. UAFS honors Fort Smith coaching legend Kaundart by Harold McIlvain | December 18, 2022 at 1:00 a.m. Ruth Kaundart, wife of legendary University of Arkansas at Fort Smith basketball coach. (Submitted Photo), University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Chancellor Terisa C. Riley hugs Ruth Kaundart, wife of legendary UAFS basketball coach Gayle Kaundart, on Dec. 8 during halftime of a men's basketball game in Gayle Kaundart Arena in Fort Smith. Today gave me an opportunity to meet some of the mens basketball team, staff and even Coach Boone. Boone finished his time with a school-record 228 wins and a .763 win percentage. Northwest Missouri State and Indiana (Pa.) moved up one spot each to second and third, respectively. "Coach Boone will develop an elite level basketball program here at UAFS," Janz said. In 1999 and 2000, he led RMU to a record of 25-13 in the NEC and produced two of the best seasons in Colonials history. UPDATED FOR 2023: Click to view our FULL LIST of coaching changes at EVERY LEVEL of college basketball. After the first hour, we took five minutes to get a drink of water, and we were going to practice for another hour. The celebration of Kaundart throughout the night earlier this month won't soon be forgotten. Boone, Brett COACHING STAFF STUBBLEFIELD CENTER CONTACT US UAFS MEN' BASKETBALL COACHING STAFF JIM BOONE | HEAD COACH Jim Boone was hired as UAFS head men's basketball coach on Tuesday, April 9. Bush, David Reichle, Andrew The official Roster for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions. In five seasons at EMU, Boone quadrupled the programs wins total and set several EMU attendance records. Boone said through the entire situation, his and his coaching staffs main focus was the team. "The history and what's already been done here I'm just looking to continue to build on that.". The Lions now. He said that he cannot speak for the entire organization, but that he, personally, is not satisfied. During that time, Bailey worked with five Sun Devils who went on to play professionally. Boone made the jump to NCAA DI basketball in 1986 as an assistant at Charleston Southern University, where the Buccaneers won the Big South Conference Championship. #RunToTheRoar . http://www.uafortsmithlions.com/news/2018/6/27/mens-basketball-no-place-like-home-uafs-alum-bailey-returns-to-coach-lions.aspx. On the money side of things, the UAFS baseball program brought home $499,243 in revenue and paid out $499,243 in total expenses. Louis Whorton, former head women's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, died over the weekend. It is important to him to have a program that develops young mens character, which will fit into our athletic culture, Janz said. He has a daughter, Alyvia. The ear-to-ear smiles and the roaring laughs. Bailey, who has been an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Lamar the past two seasons, succeeds former UAFS coach Josh Newman, who earlier this month resigned after 12 seasons to become head mens basketball coach at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. This past season UAFS seventh as an active NCAA Division II member the Lions posted a 24-6 overall finish and a 12-4 finish in the conference. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. (KFSM) The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS) is investigating allegations of racism after a former basketball player accused the head coach of singling out people . head coach | 146 views, 2 likes, 2 loves, 1 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from UAFS Lions Athletics: The UAFS Basketball Coaches Show live. His ability to create relationships combined with his work ethic make for a great combination as a coach.". Whorton is the winningest UAFS women's basketball coach in program history, compiling a 648-277 overall win-loss record at the NJCAA and NCAA Division II levels over a 30-year span with 19 20-win seasons and six 30-win seasons. This is the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Men's Basketball scholarship and program info page. Brown, Connor Though Boones apology and words were welcomed, not everyone felt it was enough. He finished his career in the top five all-time in 3-point percentage and top 10 all-time in 3-point field goals made in the Lamar record books. "UAFS is home for Justin. What evidence, beyond the after-the-fact statement of Coach Boone, does UAFS have that indicates the basis of the dismissal of Tyler Williams from its basketball team was based on hair length, as . Chappell said he is excited about joining Newman's staff and helping to continue to build on the program's success. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Coach Boone will develop an elite level basketball program here at UAFS, Janz said. He was named PSAC Coach of the Year on three occasions (1988, 1992, 1996) and NCAA Region Coach Year twice (1992, 1996). Boone remains on campus participating in team-related activities. In a letter sent to the UAFS Athletics on Friday, February 24, Boone announced his intention to retire from basketball after 38 years of service and over 600 career wins. The number one thing, and that was my major concern, was our team. I didn't know it at the time. He was inducted into the UAFS Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019 and the . The official Men's Basketball page for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions The official Men's Basketball page for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions Skip To Main Content Pause All Rotators Skip To Main Content Scoreboard UA Fort Smith Athletics UNIVERSITY OFARKANSAS - FORT SMITH ATHLETICS They chose not to do that, which I think was a good decision, because they didnt want me to become a focal point of something that was supposed to be much bigger than me in terms of the discussion that was being held, Boone said. Former men's basketball head coach Jim Boone stepped down as UAFS head coach after four years with the program. His coaching career brought him back to his alma mater, spending three seasons as the head assistant coach and primary recruiter from 1982-85 at WVSC. The Lone Star Conference will be the largest conference in NCAA Division II. UAFS Women's Basketball Camps are led by the UAFS Lions Women's Basketball coaching staff. UAFS coach Jim Boone had been counting down the days until the team camp started. He recently completed his seventh season as head mens basketball coach at NCAA Division II Delta State University, guiding the Statesmen to a 19-12 overall record, a 12-8 Gulf South Conference record, the Gulf South Conference Tournament Championship and their 17th berth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. "Brandon has an extremely high energy level and an outstanding knowledge of the game," Newman said. Basically you have 13 young men who are coming together that weekend (of the incident), and for them to galvanize as a group and to become a family and the support that they showed me and their teammates was phenomenal, Boone said. 2023 University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Athletics, New Mexico Military Institute/Abilene Christian, Director of Sports Medicine/Head Athletics Trainer, Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Report 2022, Guide For The College-Bound Student Athlete, Hide/Show Additional Information For Cameron Bush, Hide/Show Additional Information For David Ekezie, Hide/Show Additional Information For Drew Miller, Hide/Show Additional Information For Evan White, Hide/Show Additional Information For Daryl McElrath, Hide/Show Additional Information For Courtney Murrell, Hide/Show Additional Information For Drew Irby, Hide/Show Additional Information For Evan Anderson, Hide/Show Additional Information For Furaha Cadeaux de Dieu, Hide/Show Additional Information For Lukas Reichle, Hide/Show Additional Information For Andrew Iyamah, Hide/Show Additional Information For Payton Brown, Hide/Show Additional Information For Connor Slater, Hide/Show Additional Information For Jace Linenberger, Hide/Show Additional Information For Jaxon Ingram. "Zane is very thorough as well as organized and eager to impact our program. The others were struggling with them. He left EMU after the 2005 season forTusculum College, a member of NCAA DII and the South Atlantic Conference. His coaching stops across the state at the high school level included Green Forest, Conway and Fort Smith Northside, where he put together a powerhouse program from 1955-1974. Talk Business & Politics is a news website that covers business, politics and culture in Arkansas. All rights reserved. From California (Pa.), Boone moved on to the challenge of rebuilding NCAA Division I Robert Morris University, eventually leading the Colonials to the NEC Championship game in 2000. Our priority will always be about the young people, our students. Jim King had very good stories. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Boone left tradition-rich Delta State as the third-winningest coach in program history with 128 wins. Gibson, who also will be the men's cross country head coach, said he is excited about being a part of Newman's staff. Bailey said he is excited about getting the opportunity to come home and coach the Lions. The official 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions The official 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith Lions 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster - UA Fort Smith Athletics Skip To Main Content Pause All Rotators Skip To Main Content Scoreboard The buzz that event created throughout the week was phenomenal.". His success simply speaks for itself. The Grizzlies and Lady Bears up until last year played at Kaundart-Grizzly Fieldhouse, which was their home since the 1965 season. Boone recently completed his seventh season as head mens basketball coach at NCAA Division II Delta State University, guiding the Statesmen to a 19-12 overall record, a 12-8 Gulf South Conference record, the Gulf South Conference Tournament Championship and their 17th berth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. "Coach Kaundart had all the stats, but you don't really honor someone just because of stats," Janz said. Bailey will have to replenish the Lions roster, which returns only two players from last years squad. A nationwide search for a new head coach in mens basketball at the UAFS will begin immediately. Everything excites me about the university from the gorgeous campus, the direction of the athletics program under the leadership of Curtis Janz and his staff, the outstanding tradition of UAFS basketball and the entire Fort Smith community. It is our belief that players win games in March, not plays. From 1990-96, his California teams recorded more than 20 victories for six consecutive years tallying an impressive 150-33 mark during that span. 276 views, 5 likes, 0 loves, 4 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from UAFS Lions Athletics: Live from Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux with host Jimmy Haas and UAFS Women's Basketball Head Coach. Former Head Men's Basketball Coach Jim Boone resigned from his position as head coach at UAFS following four years with the program. UAFS Athletic Director Curtis Yantz shared information on the upcoming search, stating: Our goal as we begin this process will be to find a coach who embodies the unique aspirations and goals of Division II Athletics while prioritizing academic excellence. His legacy has spanned many generations, but his name will now stand the test of time. FORT SMITH -- The on-court dedication of Gayle Kaundart Arena on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith was 1,112 days in the making, but the celebration was well worth the wait. The latest Tweets from UAFS Men's Managers (@UAFSMBBM). We are so excited to roll our sleeves up and get to work on building an elite program. This past season, UAFS finished 3-6. All Rights Reserved, DRA Co-chairman speaks at Jonesboro conference, Commercial produce production workshop slated for Jonesboro, House Education committee quizzes LEARNS sponsor on bills details, State, partner organizations launch new foster care effort called Every Child Arkansas, Fort Smith Mayor McGill says city in good shape, must work to stay ahead of the curve, Bathroom ban bill passes Senate Judiciary committee, Fort Smith School Board tables decision on Barling area student attendance zone. twitter MENU HOME JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST HEAD COACH RYAN MCADAMS STUBBLEFIELD CENTER UAFS WOMEN' BASKETBALL I believe Coach Boone is a perfect fit with me and the rest of our athletic department, Janz said. And, we will produce a championship-caliber program that will be among the nations elite, a program that our university and our community will be very proud of. UAFS, along with six other Heartland Conference teams, will begin its first season as a member of the 19-team Lone Star Conference beginning this fall. 4 in the D2SIDA Top 25. The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith men's basketball coach responded, through his attorney, to racial discrimination allegations. Our style of play will be like what they do. Irby, Evan The next few weeks will be busy for Boone as he looks to lay the foundation for his new team. The show will air from 6-7 p.m. and can be heard on Fox Sports Radio FM 103.5 and will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network. I liked a couple of them really well, but coach Kaundart was the best teacher of the game I ever played for. 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