Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas State Red Wolves | |
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Howl and Scarlet | |
Nickname | Red Wolves |
Colors | Scarlet and black[1] |
Website | www |
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Sun_Belt_Conference_2020_logo_in_Arkansas_State_colors.svg/200px-Sun_Belt_Conference_2020_logo_in_Arkansas_State_colors.svg.png)
The Arkansas State Red Wolves are the athletic teams of Arkansas State University. They are a member of the Sun Belt Conference in all sports except women's bowling, a sport not sponsored by that league, competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level. As of the next NCAA bowling season in 2023–24, the bowling team will compete in Conference USA, which absorbed the single-sport Southland Bowling League after the 2022–23 season.[2]
Sports sponsored
Men's sports | Women's sports |
---|---|
Baseball | Basketball |
Basketball | Bowling |
Cross country | Cross country |
Football | Golf |
Golf | Soccer |
Track & field† | Tennis |
Track & field† | |
Volleyball | |
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor |
Baseball
Under head coach Keith Kessinger, ASU's baseball team usually finished in the middle of the pack in the SBC. ASU has claimed several victories over major teams in the last few years, including wins over the University of Mississippi, University of Kentucky, and Michigan State University. Arkansas State University director of athletics Dr. Dean Lee announced on July 1, 2008, that Tommy Raffo had been named head coach of the Red Wolves baseball team. Raffo was hired from Mississippi State after the controversial retirement of Ron Polk at MSU.
Basketball
In 1987 Arkansas State University received a bid to play in the
In 1999 ASU went to the
On March 19, 2008, Arkansas State named
Football
Arkansas State first fielded a football team in 1911. Since then the team has compiled six conference championships and one College Division (now
In 1970, as a member of the
During the 2005 football season, Arkansas State finished the regular season as
The Red Wolves achieved football success in the 2010s despite frequent coaching turnover. Arkansas State has won three of the last five Sun Belt conference titles outright and are co-champions of another.
Notable non-varsity sports
Rugby
Arkansas State plays
Arkansas State was promoted to Division 1 and made the commitment to dedicate resources to its rugby program, offering the in-state tuition rate to qualifying out-of-state players.
The Red Wolves have also been successful in rugby sevens. Arkansas State finished third at the 2011 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships. Led by tournament MVP Zac Mizell, Arkansas State won the 2012 USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships, winning its pool by defeating rugby powerhouse Cal, and defeating Life University 21–7 in the finals.[11] Arkansas State repeated in 2013, going 6–0 to once again win the USA Rugby Sevens Collegiate National Championships, this time behind tournament MVP Dylan Carrion.[12] Arkansas State won the 2015 Las Vegas Invitational and, as of May 2015[update], Arkansas State carried a three-year unbeaten record in rugby sevens.[13]
In February 2014 Arkansas State Rugby announced a partnership with the International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) allowing Arkansas State to promote itself as an international rugby academy and gain preferential access to IRANZ coaches, clinics, and mentors.[14]
In July 2014 Arkansas State was invited to join University of Texas, University of Oklahoma, Notre Dame, BYU, Clemson, UCLA, Cal, Central Washington, Dartmouth, Air Force, Utah, and Navy at the top of college rugby as the 13th member of the now defunct Varsity Cup Championship.[15]
History
Early nicknames were "Aggies" in 1911 (sometimes called "Farmers"), "Gorillas" in 1925, and then "Warriors" in 1930.[16]
Indians (1931–2008)
The name "Indians" officially became the school's athletic nickname in 1931.[16] Arkansas State officially retired the Indian mascot on February 28, 2008, during the last home basketball game of the season. The school retained the Indians nickname for the remainder of the 2007–08 school year.
ASU Indian Family
The ASU Indian Family was a trio of mascots for Arkansas State University.[17] The family consists of Chief Big Track (named for a prominent Osage chief),[18] an unnamed brave and an unnamed princess. It was one of the few trios of athletics mascots for a university. The choice was in honor of the Osage Nation that inhabited the area until the 1800s.[19][20]
The tradition, which had been dormant for years, was revived in 1996 by new athletic director Barry Dowd. During the process of reviving the tradition, Dowd sought permission and advice from the Cherokee and other local tribes on attire, dance and appearance. The various groups which restarted the tradition, including a former "Brave" and "Princess," were responsible for the creation of all outfits. The beadwork was done by the Cherokee as well as tribes from Texas.
"The Indian Family maintains a stately and dignified persona, befitting the Indian tribes which once lived in this area, as the official mascot of Arkansas State athletics and they will still have a major presence at our game day events," said Lee.[21]
On June 18, 2007, Arkansas State's Mascot Review Committee unanimously approved a recommendation for Arkansas State to retire the "Indians" nickname and all Native American mascots and imagery. The time frame for finding a new mascot is yet to be determined.[22] Chancellor Robert L. Potts promised a broad-based search to be guided by a Mascot Selection Steering Committee. The move for the name change comes in response to the NCAA's 2005 ban on ethnically or racially derogatory mascots at championship events.[23]
The Family served their last performance as mascots of Arkansas State University during the last game of the 2008 men's basketball season, during a mascot retirement ceremony at halftime.
Red
In 2003, Arkansas State University decided to make a new mascot, named Red, created by ASU's director of athletic marketing, Andrea Scott. "The spirit character began as a project to design a character that looks friendly, is unique, and is not an animal," Andrea said. "I was looking for something out of the ordinary that's presence could elevate spirit at ball games." "Red absolutely will not replace Arkansas State's official mascot, the Indian Family," said Dr. Dean Lee, ASU director of athletics.[24] "Red was named because that was how he was perceived by the marketing analysis and research groups, which were children and youth," said Dr. Dean Lee, ASU's athletic director.
He won many awards, such as:[25][26][27][28][29]
- 2004 – Universal Cheerleader Association – won 3rd place as "best mascot"
- 2005 – Universal Cheerleader Association – won "best mascot"
- 2005 – University Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship – won 6th place
- 2006 – Universal Cheerleader Association – won "best mascot"
- 2006 – College National Mascot Championship – won 2nd place
Lost only to Auburns "Aubie", and beat Michigan State University's "Sparty", University of Delaware's "YoUDee", University of Minnesota's "Goldy Gopher", University of Kentucky's "Wildcat", University of Tennessee's "Smoky", University of Iowa's "Herky the Hawk", University of Alabama's "Big Al", University of Wisconsin's "Bucky Badger".
- 2006 – Southern Living magazine – All-South football section
- 2007 – College National Mascot Championship – won 4th place
- He won over Tennessee's "Smokey", Colorado's "Chip", Delaware's "YoUDee", Alabama's "Big AL", Louisiana State's "Mike the Tiger", and Northern Iowa's "TC".[28]
Red Wolves
On January 31, 2008, Arkansas State University's Mascot Selection Steering Committee decided to use the "Wolves" as a mascot.
Red Wolves (Howl)
A panel selecting the new nickname first narrowed the list down to twelve finalists: A's, Black Wolves,
On January 31, 2008, Arkansas State University's Mascot Selection Steering Committee[33] decided to use the Red Wolves as a mascot. Arkansas State officially retired the Indian mascot on February 28, 2008, during the last home basketball game of the season. The roll-out ceremony for the new Red Wolves logo was held on March 13.
Athletic bands
- Sound of the Natural State – perform during football games and events.
- The Howlers – perform during basketball games and various collegiate events.
Notable sports figures
- American-Israeliprofessional basketball player
- NFL wide receiverfor the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins
- Olympic bronze medal pole vaulterand former world record holder
- Bill Bergey – NFL linebacker
- offensive lineman
- USFLplayer and NFL coach
- Carlos Emmons- NFL linebacker who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants
- Brad Franchione – college football coach
- Bryan Hall – Defensive Tackle #95 for Baltimore Ravens
- Jeff Hartwig – US record holding pole vaulter
- Thomas Hill – Olympic silver medalist in 110-meter hurdles in 1972
- James Johnson – Most Valuable Player of 2007 CFL Grey Cup
- Tyrell Johnson – drafted with 43rd pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 NFL Draft
- Ken Jones – 12-year NFL offensive lineman, primarily with the Buffalo Bills
- Al Joyner – Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump
- George Kell – broadcaster and Hall of Fame baseball player Detroit Tigers
- Larry Lacewell – former head coach of Arkansas State; former director of scouting for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League
- Cleo Lemon – quarterback for Toronto Argonauts
- Jerry Muckensturm – former linebacker for Chicago Bears
- Dan A. Sullivan – basketball player in early 1970s; member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for Craighead and Greene counties since 2015
- Kellie Suttle – two time Olympic pole vaulter and silver medalist at 2001 World Indoor Championships and 1999 Pan American Games
- Charley Thornton – sports figure
- Corey Williams – defensive tackle for Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns
- J.J. Montgomery - former ASU Basketball 2003–2005, International Basketball Player.
- Lennard Lopez - sports figure
- Demario Davis- ASU football LB 2007-2011, Linebacker for New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and currently New Orleans Saints
References
- ^ "University Colors – Arkansas State University". Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- ^ "Conference USA to Add Bowling for 2023-24 Season" (Press release). Conference USA. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ "Brady Named Arkansas State Head Men's Basketball Coach - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - astateredwolves.com". Asuindians.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ "2008 Arkansas State Football Media Guide" (PDF). Arkansas State Athletics. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
{{cite magazine}}
: Cite magazine requires|magazine=
(help) - ^ "USA Rugby". Archived from the original on 2012-10-20.
- ^ University, Arkansas State (2015-06-18). "Former Rugby Star to Direct A-State Program as New Head Coach". www.astate.edu. Archived from the original on 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ "This Is American Rugby: Interview with NeMani Delaibatiki, Head Coach & DoR at Arkansas St". www.thisisamericanrugby.com. Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ "USA Rugby". Archived from the original on 2012-10-20.
- ^ "ASU-Jonesboro - Article Details". www.astate.edu. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
- ^ "Life Wins, Red Wolves Get Last Laugh (For Now)". D1arugby.com. 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ Rugby Mag, Texans Help Arkansas State to Title in Texas, Dec. 2, 2012, "Texans Help Arkansas State to Title in Texas". Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^ "Men's 7s Final Brackets, Standings, Scores". Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2013-11-30.
- ^ Release, Press. "Arkansas State Carries 3-Year Streak into CRC". Rugby Today. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ "A-State Rugby Club Partners With New Zealand Academy". Astate.edu. 2014-02-26. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ "Arkansas State Set to Join Varsity Cup". Varsitycup.us. 2014-07-03. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
- ^ a b "Mascot Retirement". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24.
- ^ ASU Indian Family from ASUIndians.com
- ^ NEW SPIRIT CHARACTER MAKES DEBUT - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ "NCAA May Force ASU To Drop Indian Mascot". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^ "NCAA won't allow Indian mascots at playoff games". Noble Savage Media. Retrieved 2007-10-17.
- ^ ASU Spirit Character - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ "Mascot Review Committee Adopts Resolution to Recommend Change".
- ^ "Arkansas State chancellor forms committee to solicit ideas for new mascot". Associated Press/ESPN.com. Associated Press. 2007-07-25. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
- ^ ASU Spirit Character - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ 'RED' RECEIVES NATIONAL RANKING AGAIN - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ "RED" FINISHES SECOND IN NATIONAL COMPETITION - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ "RED" FINISHES SIXTH IN NATIONAL COMPETITION - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ a b "Red" Places Fourth In National Competition - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ "RED" WINS MASCOT AWARD - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com
- ^ "Mascot Selection Steering Committee votes to recommend 'Wolves' as next ASU mascot". Arkansas State Athletics. 2008-01-31. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07.
- ^ Rued, Monika (2008-03-07). "Arkansas State Goes With Red Wolves". TodaysTHV. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ^ "Arkansas State U. Panel Narrows List of Names for New Mascot". Associated Press/DiverseEducation.com. Associated Press. 2007-11-15.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Mascot Selection Steering Committee votes to recommend 'Red Wolves' as next ASU mascot - Arkansas State Athletics Official Web Site - ASUIndians.com