Razorbacks celebrate signing day

Susan G. Komen Ozark Affiliate supporters gathered Jan. 30 at the UARK Bowl in Fayetteville for the It's Time for Race for the Cure kickoff party. The Race for the Cure, the nonprofit organization's largest annual fundraiser, is slated for April 25 at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.

Guests were seated at tables for eight, with one chair at each table bearing a pink sash to represent the one in eight women who will have breast cancer, Mary Alfrey, affiliate executive director, told us.

Sue and Charles Redfield are the Race for the Cure 2015 honorary chairmen. Charles said, "Like everyone in this room, we have family and friends who have been affected by breast cancer." The fundraising goal for this year's race is $900,000 -- with a "stretch goal" of $1 million.

Seventy-five percent of the money raised from the local walk stays in Northwest Arkansas, but Redfield said, "Last year, we had more grant requests than we could give. That's why we need that stretch goal."

It's an achievable goal if a few changes are made, he said. For example, if the number of race participants who also make a donation were to increase from 10 percent to 20 or 25 percent or if each team gave an average of $50 instead of $35, the goal would be met.

Marybeth Cornwell, race honorary survivor chairwoman, a three-year breast cancer survivor, shared some of her reflections on the importance of the race. Because of the great strides made in early detection, she said "we forget that there is no cure. It's time for us to put an end to this." She said she works with the organization to "turn pink into just a color in little girls' princess dreams."

Those kicking off the race season with Komen included Brandon and Kari Nikolish, Amy and Mike Bates, Jim Eden, Gay Prescott, Sarah and Chris Farnet, Stephen Rosenfeld, Tyler Clark and Gina Maddox.

The Northwest Arkansas Razorback Club played host to more than 500 Razorback faithful at its annual Signing Day on the Hill event Wednesday evening at the Fayetteville Town Center. Proceeds from the evening will help support Razorback Foundation athletic scholarships.

Guests were among the first to be in the know about the newly signed recruits as Razorback football coach Bret Bielema revealed the roster of new Razorback recruits, complete with film and commentary for each.

E.K. Franks, Razorback director of recruiting, told us that recruiting a high school athlete is generally a two-year process. "Coaches are out building relationships with those players and their families."

Bielema introduced his coaching staff to the crowd, including Dan Enos, new offensive coordinator, who joined the team in January from Central Michigan University. Enos said the welcome to Arkansas "has been great. Coach B is building something great here."

During the Q&A following the program, Bielema was asked, "Are you having fun yet?" He replied in the affirmative, adding, "The fun part of the job is watching this unfold."

Among those rallying at the Fayetteville Town Center to celebrate new Razorback recruits were Jane and UA Chancellor Dave Gearhart, Fanny and UA Vice-Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long, UA Trustee Mark Waldrip, UA Trustee John Goodson, Frank Broyles, Cyndy and Ken Hatfield, Betty and Eddie Bradford, Lanell Lashley, Charles Scharlau, Cindy and Richard Knipple, Becky and Bob Alexander, Sheri and Rich Wilson, Maria Frakes, Connie and Mike Morse, Cindy and David Alphin, Dash Goff and Chris Suter.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 02/08/2015