MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Department of Athletics and Farmers Bank & Trust are teaming up yet again this year for the 11th annual Mulerider Club* Kickoff event. The event will take place inside the W.T. Watson Center on Thursday, August 13, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The annual event, which is sponsored by Farmers Bank & Trust, will serve as the official start to the 2026-27 athletic year at SAU. The event will feature a sit-down dinner that will include burgers, chips, and dessert as well as season previews provided by fall coaches and a meet-and-greet with various members of the SAU athletic department and Mulerider Club Advisory Board members.
"The Mulerider Club Kickoff is always a special evening because it brings together the people who care deeply about Mulerider Athletics and the success of our student-athletes," said SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "We are grateful to Farmers Bank & Trust for once again helping us host this event and for their continued investment in Mulerider Athletics. This year's kickoff will also give us an opportunity to introduce the refreshed Mulerider Club, visit with our coaches and supporters, and build excitement for what we believe will be another outstanding year in Mulerider Country."
Shortly after the meal, those in attendance will have the chance to hear from the head coaches of the fall sports at SAU, including Mulerider Football Head Coach Brad Smiley, Mulerider Volleyball Head Coach Alli Harrell, and Men's and Women's Cross Country Head Coach James Bowlin, all participating in a Mulerider Athletics-led Q&A panel on behalf of their programs and in advance of their season.
Tickets for the Mulerider Club Kickoff are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance of the event, as there will be no tickets sold at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at
www.MuleriderAthletics.com/tickets, by contacting
Julie Walker in the Athletic Department Office by email at
jewalker@saumag.edu or phone (870) 235-4102, or through any of the Mulerider Club Advisory Board members listed below.
Jeff White, Chair
Clay Cheatham, Vice-Chair
Steve Goodheart
Jeff Venable
LeRoy Martin
Tera Cranford
Victoria Kennedy
Ryan Phillips
Tom Sawyer
Monty Harrington
Julia Machen
Jon Orr
Individuals interested in becoming a member of the Mulerider Club can do so at the following link:
https://muleriderathletics.com/sports/2017/7/19/mulerider-club.aspx or by contacting Athletic Department Secretary
Julie Walker
*The Mulerider Club is the fundraising arm of the SAU athletic department, and its members help contribute to the current and future success of Mulerider Athletics through their private investments and participation at athletic events. Through the contributions of its members, the Mulerider Club services the SAU athletic department by helping to provide funding for athletic equipment, apparel, and facility enhancements, and helping SAU athletics achieve its overall mission of assisting student-athletes as they succeed on and off the playing field or court.
