Football
Scholarship for Former Players Honors UCA Football Legends
Kicking ideas around by 1976 Bears teammates has turned into a fully-endowed scholarship for former athletes at UCA.
CONWAY, Ark. — What started out as a brainstorming idea between a couple of 1976 UCA football teammates and got a boost from a former coach has turned into a reality. Now it has a name that honors a legendary player and service from a legendary family.
“We talked that day and numerous times in the months before our reunion,” said Bobby Rich from Alma, one of the pair of team members that worked with David Foyil from Camden. “We knew that our team had been leaders in 1976 and wanted to do something as a group to give back to UCA and the athletics program.”
That team in 1976 started what has become the winningest football program in Arkansas at a clip over 70%. They didn’t win a title, though, dropping the national championship game to a Texas A&I team.
An annual reunion that team has, keeping as many as possible together over the years, was when they wanted to introduce the idea. Foyil and Rich had settled on an idea for a scholarship, but they were struggling with an idea for what type.
That’s when former coach and athletics director Vance Strange and his wife, Jan, stepped in as he has done for decades. If you want something done in Conway or involving UCA and keeping the old AIC conference in everyone’s memory, he’s the one you call.
“There was a discussion about any ideas he might have on a scholarship topic,” Rich said. “He mentioned one of his and Jan’s biggest disappointment was when a players’ eligibility ran out before graduation and they didn’t have the resources to make it back.”
Former athletics director Brad Teague was on-board when he first heard about it. He was also a little surprised
“They certainly were a successful team that’s had a lasting impact on UCA athletics, not just football,” Teague said last summer. “That team has stayed together. They’ve gone above and beyond in their continuing support. They come back every year and it’s a good number of them, not just a few guys.
“The scholarship they’ve endowed proves that. They aren’t content to just talk about what they did that year. They back it up.”
The scholarship idea was announced at their 40th reunion in 2016 when they announced high school coaching legend, a former player that was working as a graduate assistant in 1976, as a posthumous honoree. It took a few years of efforts raising the money to get it fully endowed. They worked with Strange, other members of the team and now-athletics director Matt Whiting to accomplish that in 2023.
“We all knew players that could have benefited from such a scholarship,” Rich said.
The requirements to be fully endowed under the UCA requirements were met last year.
“It’s a big factor in our scholarship efforts and it’s a significant part of it,” Teague said.
Former UCA Bears great Monte Coleman with the Washington Redskins.
Originally it was formed as the Bears Athletic Scholarship Fund for any athlete (any sport, male or female) who fit the criteria for extra funding to graduate. It was announced at the 40th reunion of the team in 2016, they recognized and honored former teammate and graduate assistant coach John Outlaw. He became a high school coaching legend in Arkansas at Arkadelphia and in Texas and two schools.
“There was one thing we missed,” Rich said. “The driving reason behind Vance and Jan Strange’s motive for the scholarship idea was Monte Coleman, who left school early to prepare for the NFL draft and played 16 years for the Washington Redskins and is our 1976 teammate and brother.”
They came up with a new name that reflects the best player in school history and someone who’s given back to UCA and been involved with projects all over town for decades.
The group, with others who continue to contribute, finally had their name.
“Members of the 1976 team are a very close-knit group,” said Whiting, who replaced Teague AD this summer, but has worked with the team on the scholarship for the last several years. “They continue to build on the relationships forged during their time in Conway, come back to campus often, and are very supportive of each other.
“Renaming the scholarship endowment established by them further illustrates their bond and desire to build on their legacy at UCA. We are thankful for their support and the impact that this scholarship endowment will have on Central Arkansas Athletics now and into the future.”
The scholarship is now the Monte Coleman-Vance and Jan Strange Post-Athletic Career Scholarship Fund. You can contribute to the scholarship or find out more information HERE. A formal letter will be sent out soon to all UCA Lettermen regarding the financial goals and levels of the fund raising campaign that we are targeting.
Football
Seven Bears named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-UAC teams
UCA players have earned preseason recognition from Phil Steele, highlighting the team’s experience and emerging young talent
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas heads into the 2025 football season with no shortage of expectations, and now, seven players have the preseason accolades to match.
Phil Steele’s Preseason All-UAC selections, released Monday, shine a spotlight on a program blending seasoned leadership with rising stars, as four Bears were named to the offensive squads and three to the defensive teams.
Senior offensive linemen Will Diggins and Jamal Mull headline the group, each earning first team All-UAC honors.
Diggins and Mull have become the bedrock of UCA’s front line, combining for more than 60 starts over four years. Their consistency and experience have paved the way for three consecutive top-25 offenses, including last year’s unit, which ranked 14th nationally in both total offense and rushing.
Diggins, already an ASUN Freshman of the Year and an All-American, adds another line to an already decorated résumé as he enters his final season.
Mull, well-known for his steadfast play in the trenches, returns for a fourth year as a starter.
With coach Nathan Brown taking over play calling, Mull’s grasp of the system and leadership are expected to anchor an offense that has averaged over 427 yards per game during his tenure.
Wide receiver Malachi Henry, the only sophomore on the first team offense, is poised for a breakout campaign after a stellar freshman year that saw him named a Freshman All-American.
Henry hauled in 41 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, emerging as one of the Bears’ most reliable targets. He logged at least four catches in seven games, with a season-high eight against Southern Utah, showcasing the consistency that makes him a focal point of the passing game heading into 2025.
Sophomore running back Landon Chambers earned third team recognition, a testament to his growing role in a loaded backfield.
Chambers made the most of limited opportunities last year, finishing with 176 rushing yards on 32 carries and 43 receiving yards on four catches.
His best performance came against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, when he rushed for 102 yards on just 15 attempts. Chambers’ six yards per touch suggest greater things to come as he steps into a more prominent role this fall.
On the defensive side, the Bears return talent and production at key positions. Defensive lineman Bradley Clark and defensive back Dillon Williams were each named to the second team, joining a unit that helped UCA finish as the UAC’s top defense by yards allowed last season.
Clark, a disruptive force up front, posted 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, making an impact in nearly every game. His knack for plugging gaps and pressuring quarterbacks is a critical asset for the Bears’ front seven.
Williams, the team’s leading returning tackler, anchors a secondary that contributed to the league’s third-best scoring defense. In 2024, he finished with 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack, showing a relentless pursuit of the football.
Williams posted five games with at least five tackles, including a season-high nine against Abilene Christian, and recorded an interception against West Georgia.
His leadership and playmaking ability will be central to a defense aiming to build on last year’s performance.
Rounding out the list is senior safety Person, UCA’s second-leading returning tackler. With 53 stops last season, including 33 solo tackles and four pass break-ups, Person adds experience and instincts to the secondary.
His presence is vital for a defense looking to limit big plays and forcing turnovers.
The seven selections underscore UCA’s depth on both sides of the ball. With a blend of battle-tested veterans and promising underclassmen, the Bears appear well-positioned to compete in the UAC and beyond. The preseason recognition is both a testament to last season’s success and a challenge to improve in the months ahead.
There is no guarantee that preseason accolades will translate to victories, but the foundation is set.
With seven Bears on Phil Steele’s All-UAC teams, UCA heads into 2025 as one of the most watched teams in the conference.
Football
UCA opens fall camp as quarterback competition takes center stage
Myers says competition drives improvement as Bears open with a spirited three-hour practice under the morning sun
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas began fall camp Wednesday, completing a three-hour morning practice as the Bears prepare for their season opener in 20 days.
Bearsoach Nathan Brown said he was pleased with the team’s effort and energy.
“We attacked at a high rate of speed, effort was good, a lot of retention from spring and summer,” Brown said. “That’s what you’re looking for as a coach, not having to coach a lot of x’s and o’s, details.
“I’m very pleased with the way we attacked, it’s hot out here. I don’t care if you start at 8 in the morning or 3 in the afternoon, it’s July, it’s going to be warm.”
UCA Bears coach Nathan Brown at opening practice of fall camp. | Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images
The Bears will continue camp for three weeks, including two team scrimmages. The first full scrimmage is scheduled for Aug. 9.
UCA enters the season with a quarterback competition following the departure of last year’s starter Will McElvain. Incumbent backup Austin Myers took first-team reps Wednesday, while Middle Tennessee transfer Luther Richesson worked with the second team.
“Honestly, Austin, Luther, those are kind of the three right now,” Brown said. “Redshirt freshman, he’s going to be a good player here, but I didn’t think we made great decisions today.
UCA Bears quarterback Luther Richesson at opening practice of fall camp. | Ted McClenning-AllBears+ Images
“I’ve got high expectations for that room, obviously being in that room fulltime now, calling plays, I’ve got a vested interest in what each day holds. We’ll improve though, we’re just a little green, but every guy in that room has talent.”
Brown is taking over playcalling duties this season after the departure of offensive coordinator Ken Collums.
“I’m feeling the head coaching duties, obviously,” Brown said. “But a little more intense with the day to day operations, practice scripts, everything’s going through my lips, my lens now. That’s not to pat myself on the back, we’ve got a great offensive coaching staff that have bought into our scheme.
“But yeah, definitely more intense for me, and that’s great, it feels good to do it. We’ve had a lot of success here, I’ve run the offense before, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity with these guys.”
Myers said the competition is helping the team improve.
“It’s different (without McElvain), but we’ve got a really good quarterback room, a lot of guys competing for that job, and that breeds success when you’ve got guys behind you that are pushing you to get better,” he said. “I’ve never felt better throwing the ball, this summer was great.
“Competition breeds success, I don’t want guys behind me that just give me the job, I want them to push me to be better every day. If you have that at every position, you’re going to have a successful football team.”
Myers said having Brown call plays brings encouragement.
“When you get to hear from the head guy directly, that’s different,” he said. “He’s in every meeting we have, and he played here, he was a great quarterback at UCA, so for him to come full circle to calling plays again, it gives us a lot of encouragement.
“To see how the offense has worked in the past when he was offensive coordinator, the success they’ve had, that’s really awesome, we can do something special.”
UCA opens the season at Missouri on Aug. 28.
Football
Bears football opens 2025 camp with new staff, optimism
UCA starting fall practices with both seasoned leaders and new faces, as the Bears look to refine their approach for 2025
CONWAY, Ark. – Coach Nathan Brown prepares to open his eighth season at the helm of Central Arkansas, and starts fall camp on Wednesday with the first of 19 practices before the season opener later in August.
After five players were named to the Preseason All-UAC Team, the Bears are finally ready to put rubber to the road as the squad preps for the 2025 season. Behind two well-awarded senior offensive linemen, Will Diggins and Jamal Mull, the Bears open camp with a host of new faces in key positions.
UCA will also look for increased production from freshman All-American wideout Malachi Henry, and more backfield touches for sophomore running back Landen Chambers.
Defensively, the Bears return a good number of defensive backs, including Preseason All-UAC selection Dillon Williams. Also back on defense are linebacker Buck Cobbs and lineman Bradley Clark, who combined for 14.0 tackles for loss last season.
The Bears take their first official snaps of fall camp on Wednesday, practicing from 9-11 a.m. each day through the end of the week, with practice on Sunday set for 3:30 p.m.
The cycle repeats until August 19, with Monday through Saturday practices from 9-11 a.m., and Sunday practices from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
UCA will have two scrimmages, one on Saturday, August 9, and the second on August 16.
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
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