His love for the Natural State and Little Rock Trojans is undeniable. “Ray Tucker is a cornerstone of Trojan Athletics and a legendary figure in Arkansas sports media,” Director of Athletics for UA Little Rock Frank Cuervo boasts. As the voice of Little Rock Trojan Basketball, Ray recounts four decades of round ball adventures. The 2016 NCAA Tournament tops the list of favorites; the Little Rock Trojans, Sunbelt Champions, played the Big 10 Purdue Boilermakers. He remembers a game that met most expert expectations. “The Boilermakers led by 14 points; that’s when the Trojans found ‘lighting in a bottle’ and caught fire. The end result; a national television audience witnessed one of the most thrilling games ever as Little Rock stormed back to shock Purdue in double overtime. Friends and fellow Trojan fans will celebrate many of the university’s most epic victories and recognize Ray for his unwavering commitment to UA Little Rock at SpectacuaLR this fall.
This Arkansas native returned to Little Rock in 1984 after working with the Memphis Tigers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys to join KTHV-Channel 11. “Owner Bob Brown wanted KTHV to be ‘The Trojan Station’ and I had the pleasure of partnering with Max Morgan – awesome guy, by the way – to work the Trojan games.” Home games at the Statehouse Convention Center “turned out to be a great venue as then Head Coach Mike Newell had the program rolling big time. He put Little Rock in the national spotlight.”
Ray later joined 103.7 The Buzz with Randy Rainwater for the Trojan radio broadcast and remains one of the hosts of Drive Time Sports. “Randy is like a brother; he passed the torch to me.” Ray has been the play-by-play radio voice of the Trojans since 1998 and has shared some of the most memorable Trojan moments with alumni and fans.
Each year, SpectacuaLR celebrates the accomplishments of the UA Little Rock student-athletes and the potential harnessed through a winning combination of academics + sports training. This evening of camaraderie generates critical funding for the 15 Trojan athletic programs, raising more than $4 million since its inception in 2009. The evening guarantees a lively gathering with fellow fans that will not disappoint. Frank notes, “Supporting our Trojan student-athletes isn’t just about celebrating their success on the field – it’s about investing in their future, their education, and their impact as leaders in our community. Ray’s passion and enthusiasm have left an indelible mark on generations of student-athletes and fans alike.”
SpectacuaLR
Thursday, October 16
Jack Stephens Center
