Little Rock added another major upgrade to its athletic facilities with the John F. Torbett Memorial Scoreboard at the Donaghey Aquatic Center. The new scoreboard will greatly enhance the Trojans’ swimming and diving meets while honoring one of the program’s cornerstones. 

The scoreboard, which was officially dedicated prior to the Little Rock Invitational on Saturday, October 20, measures 17 and a half feet wide by nine feet high with a 10mm full color LED matrix display. The $70,000 project was made possible by generous donations from Little Rock swimming and diving alumni as well as friends and supporters in the Little Rock swimming community.

“This scoreboard is a tremendous upgrade to the Donaghey Aquatic Center, bringing us to the forefront in terms of technology and what we are able to do with this new board,” said head coach Amy Burgess. “It is a great way to honor Coach Torbett and we are so thankful and appreciative of everyone who donated to help make this a reality.”

Coach Torbett was the head coach of the Little Rock swimming and diving teams from 1969 until 1984. During his time at the helm of the Trojans, his teams compiled a dual meet record of 91-39-1, including a program-best 33-meet winning streak.

“I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to a man who has influenced so many lives over a long and distinguished career,” said Senior Associate Athletic Director Richard Turner, who competed for Little Rock under coach Torbett. “It is important to acknowledge what this means to the swimming community in this region of the country, elevating the Donaghey Aquatic Center to a level that makes it one of the premier competitive and training venues in this part of the country. My gratitude to the legion of donors who made the purchase of the scoreboard possible.”

“This project could not have been possible without the private support of our lettermen, alumni and the central Arkansas swimming community,” said Associate Athletic Director Eric Silakowski. “We are eternally grateful to coach Torbett, the entire Torbett family and our own Richard Turner in making this program and community what it is today. We look forward to seeing this new addition to the Donaghey Aquatic Center continue to enhance the Little Rock swimming and diving program, as well as serving the central Arkansas community, for years to come.”

Along with the scoreboard honoring Coach Torbett is a donor recognition board, recognizing those whose generosity helped make the new scoreboard a reality. Those wishing to support the project, as well as the Trojan swimming and diving program, can contact Tyson Baldwin, Little Rock’s director of athletic development, at (501) 569-3449 or twbaldwin@ualr.edu.