Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Vince Holyfield, a native of Junction City, was the first Southern Arkansas University baseball player to receive National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-America honors in 1983, when he was named honorable mention. He went on to play professional baseball, advancing as high as the Class AA leagues, the second highest level next to the majors. He was the first baseball player drafted out of the state of Arkansas in 1985, taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round in the June Major League draft.

Holyfield was also a two-time All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC) selection in 1983 and 1985. He batted .400 as a Mulerider freshman, led the team in home runs with 11, and was a threat on the base-paths with his speed. A centerfielder, Holyfield led the Muleriders to the NAIA College World Series, the NAIA Area V championship, the NAIA District 17 title, and the AIC crown in 1983.

In professional baseball, Holyfield, playing in the Class A South Atlantic League for Spartanburg, S.C., was selected to the League All-Star team. He was a Top All-Star selection in 1987, batting .292 with 18 home runs, and 58 stolen bases.

In 1990, he played in the Class AA Eastern League, where he was named to the League All-Star team while playing for Reading, Pa. He was hitting around .270 when injured at mid-season.

Holyfield now resides in Virginia with wife Tracey, and two sons, Vince, Jr., and Bryce, and two daughters, Tiffany and Vanessa. He currently works for Altria.