Tommy Walker, former offensive lineman for Arkansas State, never misses the Red Wolves Caravan when it visits Little Rock. His hair and goatee are graying, but he remains a massive beef-man, still capable of delivering a punishing, molar-rattling block even as he enters his 60s. Instead of shoulder pads and a baggy 1980s style jersey, he’s wearing a sports jacket and a black button-down, a silver cross dangling from a chain around his bullish neck. I’ve known Tommy for years, and when we shake hands, I’m accustomed to his hand crushing mine.

It’s a good crowd. Shane Broadway teleports in for a round of greetings. Luke Matheson of Red Wolves Report proudly shows me a photo of his son, who bears a wicked curve ball. The Red Wolves information team hustles about, led by SID Jerry Scott wrangling coaches and reporters. Jeff Reed ambles in a little late, exchanging barbs and pearls of wisdom. I find the MC of the event, Matt Stolz, who marvels at the turnout in Memphis and Paragould. The mention of “Paragould” shakes a memory from my brain. Later, I drop by the merchandise table and ask the young women running it if they’d heard of The Kingsway. They do not.

Dr. Todd Shields is here. He’s built like an offensive lineman. His grip is nearly as devastating to my phalanges as Tommy’s. Later, he shares A-State’s intentions to partner with the thriving steel industry in Northeast Arkansas. I dream of a new steel baseball stadium.

They’re serving Michelob Ultras so I grab one. The journalists in attendance are asked to gather around for interviews, and I pretend to have the proper credentials. Channel 7 is there. Channel 4 is there. Cameras are focused, and microphones are positioned. We hear from athletic director Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton (still working on baseball), basketball head coach Bryan Hodgson (getting difficult to schedule games now that the team is playing well), and football head coach Butch Jones (really likes offensive lineman Mason Myers).

They’re serving Lost Forty Honey Bock, so I grab one. Matt Stolz gets the show going – which is a strength of Matt Stolz. There’s never an awkward moment. He’s well prepared. His voice softly vibrates with chipper optimism. Dr. Shields boasts about enrollment (and steel). Purinton reminds us of our victories in bowling, golf and track. But we’re here for football and basketball, and in regards to this, there is a curious sense that borders on relief. The dark days of both programs appear to be behind us. When Coach Hodgson takes the stage, the applause is both warm and enthusiastic.

Coach Hodgson talks about recruiting, which he underscores by bringing along recent transfer Joseph Pinion, who grins broadly when Hodgson pokes fun at that “team out west.” Hodgson reminds us that he’s delivered the best recruiting class in Arkansas State history, which earns appropriate applause. He’s confident that Terrance Ford Jr. is ready – both physically and mentally – to take on the mantle left by Caleb Fields. As for scheduling, well, it’s a bit of a bitch right now. Who wants to risk their NET on these Red Wolves? So far, it’s UA Little Rock and Tulsa.

Coach Jones approaches the stage wearing a pair of red, white, and black sneakers so fine they made me wish I knew his cobbler. Like Coach Hodgson before him, Coach Jones takes time to compliment Jacob Still and his work with the imPACKt collective. NIL and the recent court judgement allowing universities to pay players feels like an executioner’s axe behind the neck of every G5 program, but we do what we can with what we’ve got. Coach Jones is more concerned about the team’s culture, and he relays a nice story about the team coming together after the humbling loss to Oklahoma. He also reveals he’s writing a book, which a couple of people have since recommended to me that it should be titled “Champions of Life.” I always thought Jones should own that, so I endorse this idea.

The event concludes and I melt from the crowd – two hours is an hour past my expiration date. Besides, Tommy is still there, crushing hands and representing. I don’t want to be in the way.

PHOTO CREDITS ME and Arkansas State Athletics