UAPB hoping to scrimmage today despite wet conditions

By Jeremy Muck/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Preparation is one of the key ingredients of a successful football program.

For Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman, he’s got the preparation part down pat.

With the weather conditions that have plagued the state of Arkansas this spring, the Golden Lions have been affected by the wet weather as well. UAPB was forced to call off Wednesday’s practice at Old Pumphrey Stadium because of poor field conditions that were caused by the storms late Tuesday night.

Instead of going outside and practicing Wednesday, Coleman and the Golden Lions watched film of Tuesday’s practice. Tuesday was the first day of the spring that UAPB had practiced in full pads.

“It was a very needed day to get on the board and discuss some things and watch some film,” Coleman said.

Coleman was pleased with his team’s first day in full pads on Tuesday afternoon.

“It wasn’t bad,” Coleman said. “It was a high intense practice. I was real pleased.

“I had to slow down and remember that it was the first day in pads. We’ll be building off of it.”

As far as players who impressed the first-year head coach, starting quarterback Johnathan Moore threw the ball extremely well, according to Coleman. On defense, defensive back Michael Witherspoon and defensive end Jermaine Clemmons have performed well for the Golden Lions so far this spring. Coleman added that defensive back Kevin Thornton has been “solid throughout the whole process.”

The Golden Lions are scheduled to hold their first scrimmage of the spring today at 3:30 p.m. at Old Pumphrey Stadium, weather permitting. When spring practice kicked off last Tuesday, Coleman said that the spring was going to be an evaluation period for his team. Today’s scrimmage will help Coleman and his staff help evaluate players as they continue to work toward the 2008 season, which opens Aug. 30 against Arkansas-Monticello at Golden Lion Stadium.

The 80-play scrimmage will feature the first-team offense against the first-team defense, the second-team offense against the second-team defense, the first-team offense against the second-team defense and the first-team defense against the second-team offense.

“I just want to see some intensity,” Coleman said. “We have some younger players. I’m not looking for perfection, but I am looking for effort. On defense, I want all 11 hats going to the football. On offense, I want execution, moving the chains, and making wise decisions.”

UAPB will make up one of their two lost practices on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Old Pumphrey Stadium. But the weather may wreak havoc with UAPB’s spring schedule once again today, as there is a 60 percent chance of rain in the forecast.

The Golden Lions will wrap up spring practice at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 with the annual Black and Gold Game at Golden Lion Stadium.

Monte Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament

Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman and the Golden Lion Athletic Department will hold the first Monte Coleman Celebrity Golf Tournament and Meet and Greet reception on Thursday, June 12 and Friday, June 13 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.

Celebrities expected to attend this year’s tournament include NBA greats Scottie Pippen, John Starks and Dennis Scott; and former NFL stars Darrell Green, Art Monk, Charles Mann, Tony Peters, Ken Coffey, Jay Novacek and Eddie Payton.

This year’s tournament begins at 8 a.m. on June 13 with the women’s flight, followed by the men’s flight beginning at noon. There is a $100 entry fee for all participants and that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner along with a commemorative gift bag. Additionally there will be prizes available for the first through third place finishers along with closest to the pin and longest drive.

There will also be a silent auction with various pieces of autographed sports memorabilia set to be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting the UAPB Football Program.

In addition to the tournament, there will also be a Meet and Greet Reception on June 12 at the Pine Bluff Country Club beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Interested parties, whether to play in the tournament or become a sponsor, can contact either Coleman at (870) 575-8664 or UAPB Athletic Director Skip Perkins at (870) 575-8675 for more information. Spaces are limited.