CONWAY, Ark. _ When the University of Central Arkansas Bears travel to Jonesboro on Sept. 24 to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves, a statewide audience will be watching live on Little Rock’s ABC affiliate KATV, Channel 7.
The game, dubbed the “Centennial Shootout,” was announced Wednesday. It will be the first meeting between the in-state schools since they met twice in Jonesboro in the 1990s. Centennial Bank, based in Conway, is the major sponsor of the event.
“The game with ASU will be tremendous for both fan bases and alumni, but also for this great state,’ said Dr. Brad Teague, UCA Director of Athletics. “Having the game televised will additionally provide opportunities for Arkansas to enjoy a great in-state rivalry.
“We appreciate Centennial Bank and their support of this game. Having the game on KATV channel 7 is a huge added bonus. Both organizations are important partners of UCA Athletics. Their association will certainly ensure a great weekend of football. We appreciate ASU and their intent to promote a great college football event.’
The Bears and Red Wolves have met 23 times on the football field, with UCA holding a 12-9-2 advantage. ASU won 17-7 in 1996 and held on for a 36-35 victory in 1997 in front of a then-stadium record crowd of 29,465.
“Arkansas State University approached KATV about broadcasting the Centennial Shootout, and we are very pleased to take the opportunity to be ASU’s media partner,’ said KATV Senior Vice President and General Manager Mark Rose. “Local programming is the most important thing we do at Channel 7. With rabid fan bases at both ASU and UCA, this game has generated great interest in Arkansas.
“We are very excited to be able to serve Arkansans in this new way. It’s one more example of how Channel 7 is Arkansas’ sports leader.’
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at ASU Stadium.
Home Bancshares, Inc. CEO and Centennial Bank President Randy Sims, as well as Home Bancshares, Inc. Chairman of the Board of Directors Johnny Allison, are both heavily involved with UCA and ASU.
Allison is a 1969 ASU alumnus and previously served on the University’s Board of Trustees. Sims is a current member of UCA’s Board of Trustees and is a former chairman of the board.
“I’m excited for Centennial Bank to be a part of the ASU-UCA ballgame,' said Allison. “As an ASU alumnus and a long-time resident of Conway, these two schools are special to me. It’s going to be fun to get this in-state rivalry started.’
“We are confident that this will be a quality television production led by KATV, and we are excited that such a tremendous station within the state has agreed to broadcast this game that we are certain will be a major attraction for college football fans,’ said ASU Director of Athletics Dr. Dean Lee. “We are also grateful to Centennial Bank for their support as our major sponsor for the Centennial Shootout.’
