Bill Stephens, the longtime University of Central Arkansas athletic director and former state representative responsible for changing the school's name in 1975, died Monday at Conway Regional Medical Center. He was 83.
Stephens of Conway died of complications from a stroke, according to his sister-in-law Donna Stephens. He retired from UCA in 1999.
During his 22 years in the state House of Representatives, which he served while working at UCA, Stephens wrote legislation that changed the university's name from State College of Arkansas to the University of Central Arkansas. He also helped pass other key education-related legislation, including the Quality of Education Act, which established the coursework public school students need to graduate, and the Quality Education Act, which set standards for class size.
Former state Sen. Stanley Russ said he knew he always had Stephens' support during their time in office.
"It made my life a lot easier and more effective in the Senate because I wouldn't have to worry about [legislation] when it left the Senate," Russ said. "I knew Bill Stephens could and would handle it."
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe recalled Stephens as being thoughtful and considerate during their days together in the General Assembly.
Stephens' dual roles as university athletic director and legislator "was an occupation that was unique, at least in my time there," Beebe said. He also recalled that Stephens once ushered the governor; his wife, Ginger; and their son, Kyle, into the locker room at a Chicago Bulls basketball game thanks to his connection to Scottie Pippen, a former UCA player who played for the Bulls.
But it was Stephens' athletic prowess and coaching abilities that many remembered Monday. A record-setting athlete in Conway High School's class of 1951, Stephens was offered college scholarships in football, basketball and track. He went to Arkansas State Teachers College on a basketball scholarship but later switched to football. He also ran track at the school.
Stephens was head football coach and athletic director at Conway before being hired by the college in 1967. He served as assistant football coach and defensive coordinator under the late Raymond Bright. Stephens became head track coach in 1972, leading the school to three Arkansas Intercollegiate Athletic titles and coaching 12 All-Americans. He was named the league's coach of the year twice.
Russ said Stephens' athletic career was "somewhat" overshadowed by his older brother Ken -- an Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame member who coached at UCA and was a standout football player and track athlete at Conway High School -- but Ken Stephens refuted that.
"He was a better athlete than I was," Ken said.
The brothers played together and coached with and against each other.
"He was not just my brother; he was a great friend," Ken said. "He was the best defensive coach I ever saw."
Stephens became UCA's co-athletic director in 1981 and was named athletic director in 1987. During his tenure, UCA won three national championships in football. He also started the men's and women's soccer programs and the softball program, and was instrumental in UCA's move from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 1992.
He was inducted into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2006. A $3.5 million track and soccer complex named for Stephens opened in 2009. His 33-year tenure is the longest of any employee in the history of the UCA athletic department, the university said.
"He influenced a lot of lives, not only in Conway and UCA, but around the state," UCA President Tom Courtway said.
Stephens is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geneva; a son, Mark Stephens; and daughters Sonya Stephens and Stephanie Stephens, all of Conway.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Conway. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
State Desk on 04/05/2016