Arkansas Ladybacks
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(The) Lady'Backs refers to any of the women's sports teams that competes officially for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. On first reference, the teams are known as the Lady Razorbacks. The term Lady'Backs evolved over time as newspaper editors would shorten the mascot name. It was adopted by the Women's Athletics Department for secondary usage in 1991. Notice that it is a contraction -- always with the apostrophe between the two parts and a capital "B". While many university sports teams have dropped the "Lady" portion of their nickname, it remains at the University of Arkansas as a marketing tool to emphasize the separate athletic departments. The Women's Athletics Department was formed at the University of Arkansas in 1971-72. The current women's athletics director at the University of Arkansas is Bev Lewis. For the 2005-06 academic year, the University sponsors 11 varsity women's teams that compete in NCAA Division I. The Lady'Back "A" logo is the official logo for the Women's Athletics Department, but teams also employ the traditional University Razorback on uniforms.
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[edit] Lady'Back Sports
[edit] Basketball
The Lady'Back basketball team is led by head coach Susie Gardner. They play home games in Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. The women's basketball team completed its 30th season in 2005-06, and has made 17 post season appearances (from AIAW through the current NCAA era). Over 900,000 fans have attended home women's basketball games at Fayetteville during the three decades of Lady'Back hoops. The Lady Razorbacks' basketball team made their first NCAA Women's Final Four appearance in 1998, with the help of team leader Christy Smith.
[edit] Cross Country
The Lady'Back cross country track team is led by head coach Lance Harter. They practice (and compete) on Agri Park cross country course (so named because it is located on the on campus agricultural area). Agri Park is also home to the men's cross country team. Harter is the first Lady'Back coach to have his team ranked No. 1 in the nation, and has won more SEC cross country titles than any other member institution -- impressive since Arkansas only joined the SEC in 1991.
[edit] Golf
The golf team is headed by coach Kelley Hester. The team practices both at Blessings course, which is located a few minutes from the University of Arkansas campus in Johnson, Arkansas, and also at the "Fred W. and Mary B. Smith Razorback Golf Training Facility" (also located at Blessings course) which features both indoor and outdoor practice areas. The men's golf team utilizes both areas as well.
[edit] Gymnastics
The gymnastics team is referred to as the Gym’Backs. They are co-head coached by husband and wife team Mark and Rene Cook. They practice in the Bev Lewis Center for Women's Athletics and compete in Barnhill Arena, both of which are located on the University of Arkansas campus. Ranked nationally since the start of the program in 2003, Arkansas is top 10 in the nation in home attendance. The Gym'Backs have two NCAA Regional appearances (2004, 2005), advanced an individual (Dana McQuillin) to the NCAA Championship in 2005 and will host the 2006 NCAA South Central Regional.
[edit] Soccer
The soccer team is head coached by Gordon Henderson, and practice/play on Lady’Back Field which is an exclusively soccer field on campus. Arkansas soccer is one of the oldest programs in the Southeastern Conference, competing as a varsity sport since 1986.
[edit] Softball
The softball team is coached by Jamie Pinkerton. They practice and play at Lady’Back Yard (which is the result of renovations to former George Cole Baseball Field).
[edit] Swimming & Diving
The swimming & diving team is currently seeking a new head coach. The team's facilities are the University of Arkansas Natatorium, which is located inside the HPER building (which also is home to student intramural facilities).
[edit] Tennis
The tennis team's head coach is Michael Hegarty. The team's facilites are the UA Varsity Courts (outdoor) and the adjacent Dills Indoor Tennis Center. Tennis is one of the oldest varsity sports at Arkansas with a continuous history from the first year of the Women's Athletics Department in 1971-72.
[edit] Track & Field
The track & field team is coached by Lance Harter. They have indoor facilities at The Randal Tyson Track Center and outdoor facilities at John McDonnell Field. Harter's teams are the most successful in the Southeastern Conference, winning 16 league titles including the first-ever SEC women's triple crown (a sweep of cross country, indoor and outdoor titles in the same season). His program produced numerous NCAA champions and most recently Athens Olympics medalists Veronica Campbell (two gold medals and a bronze for Jamaica in sprints) and Deena (Drossin) Kastor. Kastor is one of America's premier distance runners, earning a marathon bronze medal in Athens and holding numerous distance and marathon records.
[edit] Volleyball
The volleyball team is coached by Chris Poole. They practice and play in Barnhill Arena. Poole's teams have dominated the SEC Western Division from their inaugural season in 1994. Arkansas has won the Western Division 11 times, including the very first season of competition.
[edit] Famous athletes
- Veronica Campbell - Track. Won two gold medals and a bronze at 2004 Olympic Games competing for Jamaica in sprints.
- Shameka Christon - Basketball. Plays for WNBA's New York Liberty.
- Deena Kastor - Track. One of the top women marathoners in the world and holder of the US marathon record. Won bronze medal in Olympic marathon.
- Stacy Lewis - Golf. Won individual and team championship at 2006 World Student Games.
- Gi-Gi Miller-Johnson - Track. Top heptathlete in US in 2006.
- Amanda McCurdy - Golf. 2nd place in 2006 US Women's Amateur.
[edit] External links
- Lady'Backs Home Page -- LADYBACKS.COM: The Official Website of UA Women's Athletics
- HogCall.com - A website dedicated to the Razorbacks.
- hogs-uncensored | A fan website dedicated to the Arkansas Razorbacks.
| Southeastern Conference |
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| Eastern Division: Florida • Georgia • Kentucky • South Carolina • Tennessee • Vanderbilt Western Division: Alabama • Arkansas • Auburn • LSU • Mississippi • Mississippi State |
