When a person thinks of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and Lion athletics, they can’t help but think of success. That success has been quite apparent over the years, both in the playing arenas and in the classroom.

The Lions have claimed National Championships in men’s basketball (1981, 2006) and women’s basketball (1995), as well as competing yearly for conference and regional championships in all sports for over a half-century.

Since 2000, the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith has claimed six consecutive Bi-State Conference Championships (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) and three Region II Championships (2001, 2002, 2006) in men’s basketball. The women’s basketball team has shared one Bi-State Conference Championship (2003), claimed the outright Conference Championship in 2004 and 2005 and the Region II Championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Dale Harpenau, head baseball coach, has guided his team to over 200 wins and the 2007 Region II Championship while playing in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. UA Fort Smith volleyball has had their share of success, winning Conference Championships in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and Region II Championships in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006. The volleyball program also holds the distinction of being named an NJCAA Academic All-American Team seven years in a row (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005).

The golf and tennis teams, while only in their second year of competition, have already made an impact both regionally and nationally. The men's golf team won back-to-back Region II titles (2006, 2007) and finished seventh in the 2007 NJCAA National Tournament. The women's golf team though small (1 member in 2006, two in 2007) has competed well at both the regional and national level. Men's and women's tennis have both won regional titles in their first two years of competition. The men's team finished the 2007 season in 10th place at their national tournament, while the women finished the year with a 14th place national ranking.

While the teams were all having a great deal of success on their respective playing fields, the UA Fort Smith administration was busy renovating and building new homes for the Lions. Crowder Field renovations were completed, making it one of the best baseball facilities in the area. January 2002 saw the opening of the Stubblefield Center, one of the finest athletic complexes in the country. Home of both basketball programs and the volleyball program, the Stubblefield Center also houses the athletic offices and team locker rooms. In addition to Lion athletic events, the Stubblefield Center has also hosted state high school tournaments in basketball and volleyball, as well as community events ranging from choral and band concerts to graduation ceremonies.

Although the Lions have accomplished great things on the courts and fields, it is the classroom where the UA Fort Smith administration and the entire athletic department staff are primarily focused. Each University of Arkansas –Fort Smith athlete is supported in every academic area to assure that his or her academic goals are met. This is evident through the care and attention that each athlete receives from the athletic academic advisors Julie Mosely and Dustin Smith, tutors, and coaches.

The athletic department at UA Fort Smith, like the rest of the campus community, is striving daily to be the best in all areas, giving students and student-athletes the best chance to succeed.

Mission Statement

The mission of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is to provide student athletes with the opportunity to compete within a structured sporting environment that facilitates and enriches the student athlete’s intellectual, personal, cultural, and professional development.

• A strong athletic program makes a significant positive contribution to University recognition by the public, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

• Intercollegiate athletics supports the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith’s goal for a diverse academic community and seeks to generate a unifying spirit among all institutional constituencies.

• The UA Fort Smith athletics program provides equal opportunity for participation for all people regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

• The UA Fort Smith athletics program believes in an unwavering commitment to the best practices of sportsmanship and sound ethical conduct from all participants, coaches, players, administrators, staff, faculty, students, and community members alike. Pressure to win without regard to the student athlete’s academic, physical, or psychological well being will not be tolerated.

• The UA Fort Smith athletic program is to be administered in accordance with the policies of conference and other state, regional, and national organizations in which the University holds membership.