LITTLE ROCK — ATHLETICS
New interim AD at UAPB
Longtime athletic department employee Willie Fulton has been named interim athletic director at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Fulton was appointed to the position by Chancellor Lawrence A. Davis Jr. on Thursday and began Friday. He’ll serve as interim athletic director until Davis finds a permanent replacement for Skip Perkins, after which Fulton will be allowed to return to his previous post as associate athletic director for business.
Perkins took over earlier this month as athletic director at Howard, a position he accepted in October before staying at UAPB through the remainder ofthe fall semester.
Fulton, who arrived at UAPB in 1987 as a defensive coordinator under Archie Cooley, will not be considered for the permanent position.
“We’re just trying to make a smooth transition,” he said. “I’ve been a part of the UAPB family for several years and any way I can make a contribution I will.”
Davis, who was unavailable for comment Friday, has previously said he would like a permanent athletic director in place no later than June.
In the meantime, Fulton said he will concentrate on the academic standing of UAPB’s athletes and the completion of the 2011 football schedule, which still needs one nonconference opponent.
“That is one of our responsibilities. We’ll take that on at the beginning of next week,” Fulton said. “I will consult with coach [Monte] Coleman and we’ll work that out as quickly as possible.” - Troy SchulteBASKETBALL
ASU men suspend Bryant
Junior Daniel Bryant has been indefinitely suspended for a disciplinary issue, according to a statement released by Arkansas State Coach John Brady on Friday.
“When the information gathered is total, a final decision will be made on his future,” Brady said. “When decisions a player makes go too far, as he has been disciplined before, sometimes it may lead to termination from the team.”
Bryant is a 5-10 junior guard from West Palm Beach, Fla. He is team’s second leading scrorer, averaging 10.2 points in 19 minutes per game.
Southern Arkansas moves time
Today’s Southern Arkansas men’s game against West Alabama has been moved from 7:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The women’s team will play at 2 p.m.
Arkansas Tech player noted
Arkansas Tech junior forward Natalia Santos was named player of the week Wednesday bythe Gulf South Conference west division.
Santos had 14 points and 13 rebounds in a 69-39 road victory Saturday at Lambuth. Santos leads the conference in scoring at 20.3 points per game, shooting 59 percent from the floor. She has scored at least 10 points in 24 consecutive games, the longest current streak in the league.
VOLLEYBALL
Briones earns Gatorade mention
Lizzy Briones of Siloam Springs has been named this year’s Arkansas player of the year.
The senior middle hitter had 498 kills, 234 digs, 170 blocks and 45 aces last season as the Panthers finished 19-5-1 and played in the 5A state final. Briones has signed to play at James Madison next fall.
Hannah Allison, also of Siloam Springs, won the honor the past two years.
Henderson State signs three
Jessica Moss, Sarah Williams and Lauren Ray have signed to play for Henderson State next season.
Moss is a middle blocker from Lakeview Centennial (Texas). She led her team in blocks the last three seasons. She also plays basketball and runs track.
Williams is a hitter from Conroe (Texas). Ray will transfer from Hill College (Texas), where she was a conference MVP. As a libero, she had 646 digs last season.
GOLF
ASU women sign Canadian
Arkansas State signed Quebec native Sarah Landry on Friday. She will join the team this spring.
Landry is a true freshman with a 73.28 stroke average. Landry won the Jocelyn Bourassa Series, which is comprised of three tournaments, with a scoring average of 71.
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Arkansas drops to No. 18
With the first half of the season complete, Arkansas dropped one spot in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America poll this week.
Arkansas is 6-2, 2-1. Georgia leads the SEC at No. 2, behind Stanford.
MISCELLANEOUS
Two sign with Williams Baptist
Shelby Upshaw of Mountain Home has signed to play softball and volleyball for Williams Baptist in Walnut Ridge next season.
Upshaw is a libero in volleyball and shortstop in softball. Mountain Home has won two state softball championships and a state volleyball semifinal appearance with Upshaw on the team.
Mountain Home teammate Shelby Anderson also signed to play softball for Williams Baptist. She is an all-state pitcher.
Sports, Pages 27 on 12/18/2010