PINE BLUFF, AR — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Athletics Department proudly announces that its Sports Information staff has been named the 2025–26 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Sports Information Staff of the Year, as voted on by conference peers.
The award recognizes excellence in strategic communications, creativity, and service throughout the league while highlighting UAPB's continued leadership in elevating the visibility of its student-athletes and the Southwestern Athletic Conference brand.
Led by Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications and Director of Community Relations
Cameo Stokes and Associate Director of Strategic Communications/Director of Creative Content
Tay Brown, UAPB's Sports Information Department has emerged as one of the most innovative and impactful communications teams in the conference. Supported by the Creative Lions program including Senior Lead Photographer
Emory Eagles and Media Specialists
Jorell Grant,
DaMarion Wright, and
Joshua Alexander the department has built a dynamic storytelling platform that brings the Golden Lion experience to life.
"This is truly an honor for
our staff and student assistants to be recognized by our peers throughout the conference," said Stokes. "We take great pride in following the leadership of Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics
Chris Robinson in telling the stories of our student-athletes here at UAPB while building a true partnership with our community and the state. This award reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire athletics department as we continue building something special."
"It's just a blessing to have an opportunity to represent a place that means so much to us," said Brown. "This award is special because Pine Bluff and UAPB are home. We were raised here, shaped here, and now we have the chance to give back through the work we do every day. I'm thankful for our student-athletes and coaches for competing at a high level and giving us stories worth telling. To be recognized by our peers in such a talented conference is truly humbling, and we'll continue doing everything we can to make Dear Mother proud."
In 2025, UAPB Athletics generated more than 106 million impressions a 61 percent increase from 66 million in 2024 along with 4.3 million engagements across digital platforms. Spring football coverage alone produced more than 3 million Instagram page views, and video content averaged more than 22,000 views per post, reflecting strong and consistent audience engagement.
Stokes has been instrumental in developing the next generation of sports communications professionals, guiding students through live game streaming, statistical reporting, and press release writing within a Division I athletics environment. That hands-on mentorship has made the program a proven pipeline for industry talent, with alumni advancing to ESPN (Kalan Hooks), KNOE in Monroe, Louisiana (Shahid Evans), and KTHV Channel 11 News (Brandon Moore).
Co-founded by Brown and
Quenton Moore, the Creative Lions program has become one of the most recognizable creative brands in HBCU athletics. Moore's early contributions in shaping the program's foundation and helping establish UAPB's digital strategy laid the groundwork for the department's continued growth and success. Building on that foundation, Brown's vision, leadership, and award-winning creative direction have been the driving force behind the program's rise, helping transform UAPB Athletics' digital presence into one of the most engaging brands in HBCU sports. A multi-time HBCU Videographer of the Year honoree, Brown has consistently elevated the standard of storytelling at UAPB, spotlighting student-athlete journeys, conference matchups, and community connections with a style and authenticity that sets the Golden Lions apart not only in the SWAC, but across the HBCU landscape.
Among the program's standout contributors is Senior Lead Photographer
Emory Eagles, whose impact on the department's visual identity has been significant. Eagles led photography efforts for media days and photo shoots, bringing an aesthetic vision that elevated the creative standard across UAPB Athletics through thoughtfully crafted backgrounds, lighting, and visual effects.
Beyond his work at UAPB, Eagles has distinguished himself on a national stage serving as the first student recipient of a SkullSparks scholarship, an intern at the HBCU All-Star Basketball Weekend, a Dallas Mavericks intern, and an MLB HBCU Classic intern cementing his place as one of the most accomplished student creatives in HBCU sports media.
Over the past two years, three Creative Lions participants have earned SkullSparks creative scholarships and invitations to the prestigious SkullSparks Conference, positioning UAPB among the nation's leaders in developing emerging sports media talent.
The SWAC Sports Information Staff of the Year honor underscores UAPB Athletics' commitment to innovation, mentorship, and comprehensive student-athlete coverage. Through measurable growth, award-winning content, and a forward-thinking approach to communications, the department continues to elevate the Golden Lions brand while contributing significantly to the visibility and prestige of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
