*Special to UAPB athletics

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Unbeknownst to most, the Southwestern Athletic Conference leads the entire FCS in football game attendance. This fact displays a level of unwavering pride that radiates through the hallowed halls of our illustrious institutions. At the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, that pride is most easily noticed by looking in the parking lot of Simmons Bank Field a few days before any UAPB home football game, especially this past weekend for Homecoming. With days remaining before kickoff, a line of RV's,(recreational vehicles) could be seen stretching from one end of the lot, to the other. These RVs belong to the Golden Lion RV Club, also known as, "the Rolling Lions."

"You tell the football team 'we're with you.'"

This was the response of RV club president Gregory Summers when asked if he had a message to the football team.

This sums up the spirit of the club. The pride shown by members of the club is self evident as they speak about great times in the history of UAPB football. The memories members have made during their travels, truly have lasted a lifetime. Pride in UAPB football, however, is nothing new to the club.

According to former president Kenneth Smith, the RV club has been going strong since 2001, but the roots of the group go even further back into the late 90's at the old Pumphrey Stadium, when four friends began to park their RVs outside the stadium for football games. The club can be found following the team all across the country and is also a faithful staple of game-week in Pine Bluff. From city to city and town to town, the RV club, (which is comprised of 40 percent of alumni of the university) is helping to inspire a new generation of the best fans in college football.

Joining the RV club is fairly simple. Summers says that anyone interested in becoming a member of the Rolling Lions must: own an RV, purchase at least two UAPB football season tickets, and pay the annual membership dues of $100 dollars.

If you are interested in being a part of the club, you are encouraged to reach out to alumni regarding the 'Rolling Lions'. For general information about reserving an RV parking spot at the stadium, please contact the office of Roger Totten at (870) 575-8544.



S. Beavers
UAPB Sports Information Student Assistant


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