Birmingham, AL. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Department of Athletics proudly announces that Deputy Athletics Director and Head Men's Golf Coach Roger "The Legend" Totten has been selected for induction into the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hall of Fame, recognizing a remarkable career spanning more than three decades of championship success, leadership, mentorship and dedication to historically Black colleges and universities.

Totten, one of the most respected coaches and administrators in the SWAC, will officially be enshrined on Friday, December 11, 2026, at the Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central Time and will be streamed live on SWAC TV.

The honor represents another historic milestone for a coach whose impact has been felt across multiple institutions, sports and generations of student-athletes.
A proven winner on the football field and golf course, Totten has established a legacy built on excellence, discipline, academic achievement and a commitment to developing young men into successful leaders beyond athletics.

Building a Championship Legacy at UAPB
Under Totten's leadership, the UAPB men's golf program has experienced the most successful era in school history, capturing three SWAC championships in four seasons (2023, 2024 and 2026), three NCAA Division I Regional appearances and the 2025 PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship HBCU national title.

The championship journey began in 2023 when the Golden Lions captured their first SWAC Men's Golf Championship in program history. UAPB dominated the conference tournament, winning by a then-record 29 strokes and securing its first NCAA Division I Men's Golf Regional appearance.

The Golden Lions followed with another historic performance in 2024, successfully defending their conference title and making a second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance while establishing themselves among the premier HBCU golf programs in the country.

In 2025, Totten guided UAPB to another groundbreaking achievement as the Golden Lions captured the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship HBCU national title at the prestigious Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.

UAPB claimed the championship by an impressive 32 strokes, earning the program's first HBCU national championship. Jose Berenguel captured the individual championship at 7-under-par, while four Golden Lions finished among the tournament's top 10 competitors.

The Golden Lions continued their championship tradition in 2026, returning to the top of the SWAC with a three-round score of 876 (+12) at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham, Alabama.

The victory marked UAPB's third conference championship in four years and secured another NCAA Division I Men's Golf Regional appearance at Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas.

The program's success has extended beyond conference championships, including the 2024 SAS HBCU Invitational title, numerous individual tournament victories, multiple All-SWAC selections and national recognition as the No. 1 HBCU men's golf program in 2025.

A six-time SWAC Men's Golf Coach of the Year, Totten has transformed UAPB men's golf into a nationally recognized program while establishing a championship culture centered on competitive excellence, academic achievement and character development.

A Distinguished Football Coaching Career
Long before building a national championship golf program, Totten developed an impressive reputation as an offensive strategist and mentor throughout the HBCU football landscape.

A 1987 graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Totten also holds master's degrees from Grambling State University and Alcorn State University.

He began his coaching career at Mississippi Valley State before serving in various offensive coordinator, assistant head coach and assistant coaching positions at UAPB, Tuskegee University, Alcorn State University, Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University.

Throughout his football coaching career, Totten coached 16 student-athletes who went on to play in the National Football League (NFL), demonstrating his ability to identify, recruit and develop elite talent.

One of his signature football achievements came in 2012 when he helped guide UAPB to the SWAC Football Championship, adding another significant accomplishment to his championship résumé.

His offensive units consistently ranked among the conference's best, including leading the SWAC in rushing offense in 2000, directing highly ranked offensive attacks and contributing to the 2010 SWAC Eastern Division Championship at Alabama A&M.

Totten's football coaching success established him as a respected teacher of the game and a leader whose influence extended far beyond wins and losses.

Leadership Beyond the Playing Field
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Totten has made significant contributions to collegiate athletics administration.

As UAPB's Deputy Athletics Director, a position he has held since 2021, Totten has played an important role in the department's daily operations, student-athlete development, NCAA compliance, recruiting, fundraising and overall athletics administration.

His leadership philosophy has consistently emphasized the importance of academic achievement, personal responsibility, discipline and preparing student-athletes for success after graduation.

Under his guidance, the men's golf program has also been recognized for academic excellence, earning UAPB's highest men's team grade-point average in 2021 and 2022.

His ability to develop champions academically, athletically and personally has made him a respected figure throughout the conference and HBCU athletics.

The nickname "The Legend" reflects a career defined not only by championship trophies and individual honors but also by decades of dedication to serving student-athletes and advancing HBCU athletics.

A Well-Deserved Hall of Fame Honor
Totten joins five other distinguished individuals in the SWAC Hall of Fame Class of 2026, including Alabama A&M's Robert Mathis, Alabama State's Brad Baxter, Alcorn State's Lisa L. Powell and Alvin Moore, and Jackson State's Willie H. Barnes Jr.

His selection recognizes his extraordinary contributions as a coach, administrator and mentor, along with his longstanding commitment to the mission and values of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

For UAPB, the recognition celebrates more than an individual achievement. It honors a legacy of championship excellence, leadership and service that continues to shape the future of Golden Lions Athletics.

2026 SWAC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Date: Friday, December 11, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. CT / 7 p.m. ET
Location: Omni Hotel – Atlanta, Georgia
Live Stream: SWAC TV
Ticket information for the enshrinement ceremony will be announced at a later date through the conference's official social media platforms and SWAC.org.