04 Jun 2025 UCA to welcome Hall of Fame Class of 2025

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas will induct a class of seven new members into the UCA Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 4 in conjunction with the football weekend against Utah Tech.

The newest class of inductees includes: Dr. Bill Bandy (meritorious service); Troy Brown (track and field); Gary Huggins (football); Shane McConnell (football); Darryl McCree (football); Hollie Fowler Rogers (soccer), and Joanna Velasquez (softball).

Bandy was the longtime Faculty Athletic Representative for the UCA athletic department, was chair of the UCA Athletics Committee and was a professor in the physical therapy department at UCA for 39 years.   

Brown was a highly decorated track and field athlete who was a two-time NAIA All-American in 1988 and 1989.

Huggins was a two-time All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference linebacker in 1968-69 and was a member of the UCA All-Decade team.

McConnell was an NAIA All-American offensive lineman in 1987 and played on two NAIA national championship teams. 

McCree was an NAIA All-American guard in 1978 and was a L.B. Jackman Award winner as Most Valuable Player in the UCA Homecoming game in 1978.

Fowler Rogers was the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year in 1998 and a first-team All-GSC selection the same year and set numerous school records for the women’s soccer program.

Velasquez was the Gulf South Conference West Player of the Year in 2000, was a two-time All-GSC selection, an All-South Region selection and an All-Academic selection as a pitcher for the Bears. 

The brunch for the newest inductees will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, in the Student Center Ballroom.