Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Welcomes New Stars

The Oaklawn Event Center in Hot Springs hosted the 68th induction banquet on Friday night, celebrating ten new members of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Seven inductees were present, while three were honored after their passing. Former Razorbacks running back Alex Collins, tennis champion Peter Doohan, and horse trainer D. Wayne Lukas are among those remembered. Collins, who played for Arkansas from 2013 to 2015, was the state’s second‑ranked rusher with 3, 703 yards and led the team in touchdowns during his senior year. After a five‑year NFL career, he joined the Memphis Showboats in 2023. Tragically, Collins died at 28 in a motorcycle accident on August 13, 2023. His mother, Andrea McDonald, spoke first at the ceremony. She thanked everyone and expressed deep pride in her son’s character, wishing she could have seen him accept the honor herself. The audience gave her a standing ovation.

Van Compton, who will retire in November 2025, was next. She built the Arkansas‑Little Rock volleyball program from scratch and guided it to 603 wins, multiple conference titles, and NCAA appearances over 38 years. Jim Haney also spoke, reflecting on his nearly six‑decade journey from a player at Arkansas College to this recognition. Two active football coaches were inducted: Jerry “Buck” James, head coach at Conway High School with six state titles, and Nathan Brown, 39‑year‑old head coach at Central Arkansas. Brown led his team to a 46‑44 record after taking over in 2018, and he set the school’s passing yards record during his playing days. The class also included young basketball coach Erica Leak, who guided Arkansas‑Pine Bluff to a 10‑8 season and had previously won a state title as a player. Lee Hardman finished his coaching career with 117 wins and four championships, while Louis Cella became president of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in 2017 and directed a $100 million expansion.

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