LITTLE ROCK – Presented by Triple-S Alarm, the seventh annual SpectacUALR will honor Derek Fisher, one of the greatest men’s basketball players in Trojan history and the current head coach of the New York Knicks. The event is set for Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, at the Jack Stephens Center.
“I’m excited to be this year’s SpectacUALR honoree and to be back in Little Rock,” Fisher said. “Little Rock has meant so much to me and my family, and I cannot wait for this event. Triple-S Alarm has been so gracious in supporting this event, supporting me and supporting the university. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in September as we celebrate Little Rock’s Team.”
A Little Rock native, Fisher played four seasons at UALR from 1992-96 under head coaches Jim Platt and Wimp Sanderson. A two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection, he was named the 1996 Sun Belt Player of the Year while leading UALR to 23 wins and its third National Invitation Tournament. That same year, he was a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) First Team All-District Selection and an honorable mention Basketball Weekly All-American.
“We are thrilled to welcome home one of our own in Derek Fisher,” Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “Derek is the ultimate representative of Little Rock’s Team. As a Little Rock Parkview graduate turned Trojan, Derek has made our city, state and Trojan Nation proud every step in his journey. We couldn’t be happier to honor one of our all-time greats this September.”
In 2005, Fisher helped establish the Fisher Fellows Life Program, a mentoring series for Trojan student-athletes. The Jack Stephens auxiliary gym, Fisher Court, is named in his honor.
“SpectacUALR serves as not only our institution’s largest fundraiser, but a special evening where we are able to honor our current student-athletes and the 14 programs they represent,” Conque said. “This evening allows us to pay tribute to those who have laid the strong foundation on which we stand today.”
Fisher came to UALR from Little Rock Parkview High School. As a senior, Fisher averaged 11.9 points and 3.3 assists while helping lead the Patriots to a 35-1 record, a state championship and a top-five national ranking. All five Parkview starters earned Division I scholarships.
After Fisher’s time with UALR, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him with the 24th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. Playing largely under coach Phil Jackson, Fisher spent his first eight seasons with the Lakers and won three straight NBA titles from 2000-02. Following stints with the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz, Fisher returned to Los Angeles and was a part of the Lakers’ 2009 and 2010 title teams.
A five-time world champion, Fisher has played in (259) and won (161) more NBA playoff games than any player in league history. He served as president of the NBA Players Association from 2006-13 and played a pivotal role in ending the 2011 NBA lockout.
Most recently, Fisher was named the head coach of the New York Knicks before the 2014-15 season under team president and former coach Phil Jackson.
Over the last six years, SpectacUALR has raised over $1.1M in support of Trojan student-athletes. Fisher’s mother, Annette, was the first SpectacUALR honoree in 2009. This year’s event will be led by co-chairs Andrea Peel and Jane Yocum.
The evening will feature unique silent and live auction items with all proceeds directly impacting UALR’s current student-athletes. Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and the attire will be business casual. Tickets for the event are $75 and are on sale now.
For more information on how to become a sponsor or to purchase tickets, contact Sheena Howell by phone at (501) 569-3393 or by email at smhowell1@ualr.edu. Fans can also visit the event’s homepage and purchase tickets online by going to ualrtrojans.com/SpectacUALR.
