The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has appointed Cory Blunt as the Assistant Athletic Director of Development. Blunt has a rich background in athletics and community engagement, with experience in coaching, event management, and building partnerships with businesses across the state.
Before joining UAPB, Blunt worked as a project coordinator at the City of Little Rock Convention and Visitor Bureau. In that role, he coordinated large-scale events and collaborated with numerous national and local businesses.
As the Assistant AD for Development, Blunt's primary responsibilities include developing and implementing strategies to build a strong database. He will assist with various aspects of fundraising appeals, overseeing camps, event management while maintaining lists and files to support a computerized database. Additionally, Blunt will help develop, implement, and guide relationships with donors and stakeholders in the university's Institutional Advancement and Athletics, maintaining database and VIP files on recent UAPB graduates.Â
A native of Pine Bluff, Blunt’s athletic career began at Pine Bluff High School, where he helped lead the Zebras to three consecutive football state championships in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He was recognized as one of Arkansas's top defensive backs and return specialists. Blunt continued his success at Missouri State University from 1996 to 2000, where he was a team captain and received multiple Player of the Week awards in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Blunt's coaching experience includes serving as the defensive backs coach at UAPB from 2018 to 2019 and later at the University of Central Arkansas in 2020. He has significantly contributed to youth athletics as the commissioner of the Natural State Youth Football League (NSYFL) and by coordinating prominent high school football showcases in Miami, Florida, and Springdale, Arkansas, helping young athletes gain valuable exposure.
In addition to his athletic roles, Blunt has been involved in organizing notable events such as the 2024 Solar Eclipse celebration, which attracted over 30,000 attendees from 30 states touring Central Arkansas. Other events he has directed include the Little Rock Holiday Parade, the highly anticipated 2024 Hispanic Heritage Weekend, Jazz in the Park, and River Market Live in Little Rock. He also managed the Hardwood Classic basketball tournaments from 2012 to 2014, hosting successful events in Jacksonville, Arkansas, as well as Lubbock and Houston, Texas.
Blunt earned his bachelor’s degree in entertainment management with a minor in psychology from Missouri State University in 2001. He is set to complete his master’s degree in sports administration at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in May 2025. Passionate about furthering his education, he plans to pursue a doctorate in Physical Education. Additionally, Blunt is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
