The University of Arkansas at Little Rock raised more than $433,000 to support the university’s over 270 Trojan student-athletes during a record-setting night for Little Rock Athletics on Oct. 7.

The 13th annual SpectacuaLR event honored Cindy and Warren Simpson, long-time supporters of Trojan Athletics and UA Little Rock. Warren Simpson currently serves on the Trojan Athletic Council, the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors, and is a past president of the UA Little Rock Foundation Board.

“We are so grateful and appreciative of everything Cindy and Warren have done for our department and their support of our Little Rock student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics George Lee. “It’s only fitting that with everything they’ve done that this year’s event set the record for money raised. It certainly would not have possible without their continued help and support.”

This year, The Massey Family Charitable Foundation, Harriet A. and Warren C. Stephens, Dillard’s, and Becky and Gus Blass served as presenting sponsors for the event, which brought in more than 600 attendees that had the opportunity to meet and talk with UA Little Rock student-athletes for whom these funds will directly benefit. This year’s event also featured a casino theme, with Fisher Court transforming into a SpectacuaLR casino with attendees able to redeem their chips for raffle tickets.

“UA Little Rock serves as a strong economic engine for our local economy and what is best for UA Little Rock and Little Rock Athletics is best for our city,” Warren Simpson said.

Over the past 13 years, SpectacuaLR has raised nearly $3 million since its inaugural event in 2009. Those generous donations are used to help fund the 15 Trojan athletic programs, benefiting more than 270 student-athletes that represent Little Rock’s Team.