Crass officially named Director of Basketball Operations at UALR

Congratulations to Ted Crass for officially being named the Director of Basketball Operations at UALR.

I say officially because this was the worst-kept secret of the year. Crass has been basically doing the job all summer, including running Coach Steve Shields summer basketball camps. But we didn't want to jinx it until it was officially announced, which it was by UALR yesterday.

Regular readers of this blog know how I feel about Crass. I've never seen anybody work as hard as he has to do the things he has. He's a great person and will be a very good coach at whatever level he eventually lands at.

Here's the story I initially wrote when Crass was promoted from manager to player:
http://burnthehorse.blogspot.com/2012/02/ualr-student-manager-gets-shot-at-d1.html

Here's Crass before last season talking about being the Trojans' only senior:
http://youtu.be/tnB_o3YpY10

And here's Crass taking that leadership to another level last season:
http://burnthehorse.blogspot.com/2013/01/bth-morning-after-crass-inspiration.html

I give Crass total credit for what he's accomplished. But I also give Coach Steve Shields a ton of credit for giving him a chance -- as a manager, as a player and now as a coach.

"I think Ted is the perfect fit for this job," Shields said. "He's been with us for five years now, both as a player and student manager. His work ethic and loyalty are second to none. He's worked closely with each of our last two directors of basketball operations and he knows this job inside and out. I couldn't be more excited for him to stay with our program in a full-time capacity."

Crass, who graduated from UALR in May, will oversee academics and living arrangements, team travel accommodations, video exchange and community liaison for outreach programs.

Crass replaces Kerry Darting, who was with UALR for one season.

UALR already utilizing 10 days of practice allowed for foreign trip

UALR gets 10 days of practice leading up to next month's preseason trip to Canada. The practice days don't have to come on 10 consecutive days leading up to the trip. Coaches can split them up as they see fit. How will UALR utilize these 10 days?

They're already doing it.

UALR actually began its Canada preparations last week. UALR is attempting to get the most of its time by using both the 10 practices allowed for teams taking foreign trips and the two weekly hours of "individual workout" time allotted all NCAA teams. Full squad workouts are permitted during this time. The Trojans were able to get in a couple of practices last week, this week and will continue to do so until the week of the trip.

They'll finish up with the final practice dates the week of the trip. UALR will then practice Aug. 11, 12 and 13 before flying to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Aug. 14, where they'll practice at Jack Simpson Gymnasium. UALR will play the University of Calgary on Aug. 15, the University of Alberta on Aug. 16 and the University of Calgary on Aug. 17.

A couple of notes about the trip:

  • UALR will not be at full strength when it makes the trip. Redshirt freshman Andrew Poulter hasn't been able to practice most of the summer after breaking his foot. He is expected to be ready well before official practice begins in October.
  • And junior point guard J.T. Thomas has been limited with an injury and has not participated in practice. It is hoped he will be available for the Canada trip.
  • UALR and rival Arkansas State are both making the trip and they'll be participating in doubleheaders each night against either Calgary or Alberta. UALR and Arkansas State are also staying in the same hotel. That should be interesting.
  • UALR received a guarantee for its participation in an event that sees them host North Florida and travel to Florida, Middle Tennessee and Southern. That guarantee includes UALR's Canadian travel expenses.


UALR will play Calgary twice, Alberta once in August trip to Canada

Details are now available for UALR's summer trip to Canada.

UALR will play three games in Calgary, Alberta, on August 15, 16 and 17. Arkansas State is playing in the same event but the Sun Belt Conference schools are not permitted to play against each other.

UALR will open play at 6 p.m. on Aug. 15 against the University of Calgary Dinos. The Trojans will play again at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16 against the University of Alberta Golden Bears. And UALR will wrap up play at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17 against Calgary.

Arkansas State will play the opposite opponent each day, playing the second game of the doubleheader on Aug. 15 and 16.

UALR gets to practice 10 times leading up to the trip. With the entire roster already having reported to Little Rock, the Trojans figure to get a pretty good look at the 2013-14 season while north of the border.

UALR has one Canadian on the roster this season in sophomore guard Kemy Osse, who is from Montreal, Quebec.

The University of Alberta finished 14-8 last season, finishing fourth in the Canada West Conference. The Bears finished one spot ahead of The University of Calgary, which finished 13-9. The teams split two games last season.

This is the first foreign trip the Trojans have taken under Coach Steve Shields. The event was set up as part of the regular season round robin event that will see UALR host North Florida and travel to Florida, Middle Tennessee and Southern.


UALR headed to Virgin Islands in December; rest of schedule TBD

U.S. Virgin Islands
This is the time of year when the schedule is just about complete. But UALR doesn’t have its nonconference slate nailed down.

The Trojans will open Sun Belt Conference play on Jan. 2 with a road trip to face a couple of conference newcomers. UALR will begin the 18-game schedule with a trip to Texas State and Texas-Arlington.
But it’s the nonconference portion of the schedule that has proven as difficult to put together as any in UALR Coach Steve Shields 11 seasons in Little Rock.

Burn The Horse has confirmed UALR will participate in a neutral site event. The Trojans will be in a tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands right before Christmas. UALR will play Jacksonville State in its opener and then the winner/loser of Southern Miss and Coppin State in its other game. UALR went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last year.

In addition to the SEC’s Florida, UALR is in talks for road games at a regional Big XII school and at a regional American Athletic Conference school.