The 2018-19 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff athletics season can be defined by one word: transition.

New leadership, new coaching hires, strong academic performance and outstanding individual accolades marked the past season.  

Here's a snapshot:

• Hines Named Athletic Director: Melvin Hines II was named Athletic Director in September 2018, setting a new vision for the department based on AEIOU: Accountability, Excellence, Integrity, Orientation, University. Hines hired executive team in Spring 2019, naming Temeka Samuels Deputy Athletic Director / COO, Keith McCluney Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, and Duane Lewis Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications.
• New Coaches Hired: UAPB hired new head coaches in volleyball, soccer, and women's basketball. Chelsea Lucas was named head volleyball coach in February, Jeremy Winzer was hired as head soccer coach in early May, and Dawn Brown was named head women's basketball coach later in May.
• Men's Cross Country Wins SWAC Championship; Lion Men Post Best Ever Finish In SWAC Commissioner's Cup Standings: The UAPB men's cross country program won its first SWAC Championship since re-entering the conference in 1997 and its first conference crown since 1993. The men's indoor track and field team finished third, and the men's outdoor track and field team finished fourth. The Golden Lions combined to finish third in the standings for the C.D. Henry Award for best all-around men's program in the SWAC. The men's golf team made a nearly 100-shot improvement over last year's performance in the SWAC Championship in posting a fourth-place finish. Cross Country head coach Chris McCoy was named SWAC Coach of the Year, and men's golf coach Roger Totten was named SWAC Co-Coach Of The Year.
• Student-Athletes Have Strong Year Academically: UAPB student-athletes combined to post a 2.928 GPA for the 2018-19 year. A total of nine of the 14 teams had GPAs for 3.0 or better. 120 student-athletes earned a 3.0 or better in Spring 2019, including 31 with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. A total of 50 student-athletes graduated in Spring 2019.
• Lion Teams Continue To Flourish In APR: The women's cross country team, women's track team, men's tennis, and men's cross country team each earned a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 1000 for the 2017-18 year. A total of 13 of the 14 UAPB teams achieved above the NCAA mandate of 930 over the four-year period from 2013-14 through 2017-18.
• Athletic Academic Center Opens: In December 2018, UAPB opened a new Student Athlete Academic Center in the J. Thomas May Field House. The center provides student-athletes with a lab with assistance from athletic academic advisors, computers, and programs to assist with their matriculation at UAPB.
• Videoboard, New Turf Installed At Simmons Bank Field: Renovations to the home of Golden Lions football were completed prior to the 2018 season. Simmons Bank Field was renovated with a new video board, field turf, scoreboards, and audio system to provide an enhanced fan experience.
• New Floor, Seating Installed At H.O Clemmons Arena: In January 2019, the renovated home for UAPB volleyball and basketball was unveiled. A new, brighter playing surface was installed with an updated UAPB logo emblazed at center court as well as new basketball goals featuring the UAPB logo on each basketball support. The renovation also included newly installed bleachers in the UAPB Black and Gold colors with the Golden Lion logo.
• Baseball Facility Upgrades: The Torii Hunter Baseball Complex received facility upgrades this season. In February, new padding was installed around all fencing inside the newly named Bill Jones Field. In April, the Simmons Bank Pavilion opened behind home plate, featuring a team locker room, coach's offices, officials' locker room, press box, and concession stand.
• McKnight, Harris Earn HBCU Basketball All-America Honors: Martaveous McKnight and Shawntayla Harris earned BOXTOROW All-America honors. McKnight earned first-team honors after he led the SWAC in scoring at 20.3 points per game including a pair of 40-point games and ranked 33^rd nationally in scoring. McKnight was also selected to represent the conference in the 3x3 National Championship Tournament during the Final Four. Harris earned second-team honors after lead the SWAC in blocked shots (2.5 per game) and was fifth in rebounds (6.7 per game).
• John, Bibbs Set Track and Field Records: Safiya John and Travis Bibbs had record-setting performances in the SWAC Track and Field Championships. John earned outstanding field performer honors in both the SWAC Indoor Track and Field Championships and the SWAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship. John set SWAC records in the heptathlon in both the indoor meet with 3,449 points and the outdoor meet with 5,257 points. Bibbs set school records in both the indoor triple jump (15.48m) and outdoor triple jump (15.54m) at SWAC Championships this season.
• Bibbs Among Five Men's Track Athletes To Compete In NCAA West Outdoor Regionals: Bibbs' mark earned in the SWAC Outdoor Championship helped him to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Regionals in Sacramento, Ca. Rasheed McAlpin competed in the 400 meter hurdles, while teammates Wade Garner and Laurel Heath competed in the 800 meter dash. The trio along with teammate Malique Smith comprised the UAPB 4x400 relay team that qualified and competed in the NCAA West Regional.
• Armstead Named To First Pro Bowl: Golden Lion alum ('13) and New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead was named a Pro Bowl starter. Armstead, who just completed his sixth NFL season in New Orleans, started 10 games for the NFC South Champion Saints in 2018, protecting the league's all-time leading passer Drew Brees.
• Gillan, Sanchez Sign Professional Contracts: A pair of Spring 2019 graduates signed professional sport contracts. Former UAPB punter and kicker Jamie Gillan signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League in April. Baseball standout Ricardo Sanchez signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.