CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas Track and Field head coach Josey Weaver was announced as the 2024-25 winner of the Raymond Bright Award this morning. The honor comes after a dominant season for the Bears, led by Weaver and his staff.
 
Weaver and the Bears swept the ASUN Track and Field Championships this year, both the indoor and outdoor titles, claiming both men's and women's title sweeps for the first ASUN championships in program history. With a dedicated staff and roster, Weaver's squads continue to build the brand of Central Arkansas track and field, rewriting a good chunk of the program's record books over his first three seasons in Conway. On a conference level, freshman Jeremiah Boudreaux earned Most Valuable Performer at both championships, and sophomore Joia Perry earned both the indoor and outdoor Most Outstanding Field Performer awards.
 
"I am extremely grateful and honored to receive the Raymond Bright Award. Especially after finding out about Coach Bright's track and field background," Coach Weaver said of the honor. "This is an individual award made possible by an incredible group of coaches, student athletes and our amazing support staff at the University of Central Arkansas. I hope to continue to honor Coach Bright's legacy through out track and field program for years to come."
 
Weaver is the fourth Central Arkansas coach to claim the award, and the third in the last five seasons, after Jenny Parsons in 2022 and David Kuhn in 2021.
 
"Coach Weaver is very deserving of this recognition. Sweeping the ASUN Indoor and Outdoor titles is an incredible feat in just year three," Director of Athletics Matt Whiting said of Weaver. "Not only have his teams experienced success in competition, they have also been able to achieve high marks academically. We are fortunate to have him and his staff at UCA, and I look forward to seeing the continued success of our cross country and track and field programs under his leadership."
 
The award is named in honor of Raymond Bright, who was one of the most successful and revered coaches in Conway's history and impacted many lives through his dedication. A native of Hope, Bright served in the Navy during World War II. He then graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College, now the University of Central Arkansas. 
 
Bright began his coaching career at Conway Junior High School in 1949 then continued at Conway High coaching football and track from 1951 to 1958. His Wampus Cats won three track & field state championships. Bright moved across town to UCA to coach track from 1959 to 1965 and then football from 1965 to 1971. His teams won multiple AIC titles in both sports. He is a member of the Wampus Cat Sports Hall of Fame, the UCA Sports Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Track & Field Hall of Fame, and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.