HODGSON ERA BEGINS FOR MEN'S BASKETBALL

As I said Monday at our press conference, it was a monumental day for Arkansas State Athletics introducing Bryan Hodgson as our 17th men’s basketball head coach in program history. The energy and passion for Arkansas State was evident in the room Monday, and it has continued since the press conference.  We’ve set the bar high to compete for conference championships and go to the NCAA Tournament on an annual basis, and I truly believe we can do that.  Season tickets are on sale now and we look forward to Coach Hodgson announcing his staff and shaping the roster for the 2023-24 season.  

ON A ROLL

Our bowling team went a perfect 4-0 last weekend at the Southland Bowling League Championship to claim the third conference title in program history and clinch a 15th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Congratulations to Coach Kostick and our entire team, as well as Maggie Thoma for earning MVP honors and both Maggie and Faith Welch for being named All-Tournament.  Earlier today at a selection show watch party, our squad found out they are the No. 3 seed and will travel to Rochester, N.Y. for the NCAA Regional next weekend.

RISING IN THE RANKS

Our men’s golf team finished sixth among an elite 21-team field, which included 10 of the top-100 teams in the Golfstat rankings, last week at the All-American Intercollegiate. A-State earned wins over two top-50 programs (LSU and Houston), while also finishing ahead of five other Sun Belt programs in the field. With the result, our Red Wolves have moved up to No. 76 in the latest rankings. Two regular-season events remain ahead of the Sun Belt Conference Championship in late April. 

TRACK AND FIELD STRONG START

Outdoors for the first time this year, our track and field team completed a strong opener at Mississippi State with five event wins and 28 top-five results during the three-day event. We’re looking forward to our home outdoor meet April 21-22 at the A-State Track & Field Complex.  

COACH RAFFO INDUCTED INTO RON POLK RING OF HONOR

Congratulations to our head baseball coach Tommy Raffo on his official induction into Mississippi State’s Ron Polk Ring of Honor last weekend.  Details about the induction ceremony can be viewed here. 

SPRING CAMP CONTINUES

Following spring break, our football team returned to spring-camp practice Tuesday. Our Pack Day Spring Game will be played April 15, and we will have a full day of activities for A-State fans. The day will start with our first "Pack Day Cornhole Classic," beginning at 9 a.m. in Halsey Thrasher Harpole Tailgate City. There will be Beginner and Advanced brackets in the doubles event. For more information on how to enter the tournament, go to https://bit.ly/23PackDayClassic.

Watch for additional details soon, but our current “Pack Day” schedule includes the following:

• ALL DAY:  Food trucks and vendors located in the Centennial Bank Stadium parking lot
• 9 a.m.:  Pack Day Cornhole Classic
• 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Athletics Gear Sale on the southwest concourse of the stadium
• 2:15 p.m.: Pack Day Spring Game presented by JTown’s Grill, followed by autographs on the field with our coaches and student-athletes
• 5:30 p.m.: Optimum Movie Night (“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”) on the stadium videoboard

CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT

As announced yesterday, the 45th annual Convocation of Scholars at Arkansas State University will highlight events recognizing outstanding students and faculty.  This is a month-long celebration that calls attention to these achievements. Convocation of Scholars leads into the conclusion of the semester and Spring Commencement, which will be held in two ceremonies on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at First National Bank Arena.

GET YOUR WOLVES UP!

This week’s #WolvesUp photos feature ASU System President Dr. Chuck Welch with daughter Ava and wife Mandy with their Wolves Up during a trip to Honduras and Belize, as well as Brandi Keedy with her Wolves Up in Cape Cod.

Remember to use the hashtag #WolvesUp in your social posts and tweet your photos to me @JeffPurinton if you have any pictures with your Wolves Up! or promoting A-State.  We will select photos to feature in each edition of State of the Pack.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

View the list of scheduled events, broadcast information, start time and stat links on our composite calendar.  (Note:  All times are listed in Central Time.)  Access live stats from your desktop or mobile device by visiting AStateStats.com.

TICKETS

Season and single-game tickets for our fall and winter sports are available by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/Tickets or calling the A-State Ticket Office at 870-972-2781.  You can contact the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 for additional information and/or to purchase tickets in our premium areas.