NCAA to Honor Nolan Richardson
By: U of A Media Relations
Updated: January 30, 2013
FAYETTEVILLE,
Ark. - A one-of-a-kind painting honoring former University
of Arkansas head mens' basketball coach Nolan Richardson and the 1994 national
championship basketball team will be unveiled at halftime of the Razorbacks'
game against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, Feb. 2. Following the
unveiling at halftime, the painting will be available for the public to view on
the south concourse of Bud Walton Arena.
The painting was commissioned by the
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of
Basketball Coaches (NABC) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of
March Madness. One painting is being created for each of the 74 national
champions with a 75th painting to be
completed after the 2013 NCAA Championship
game.
"We are pleased that one of college
basketball's legendary coaches and a signature moment in Razorback Basketball
history are being recognized as part of the 75th anniversary of
March Madness," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long says. "Coach
Nolan Richardson helped lead our men's basketball team to the pinnacle of
college basketball culminating with the 1994 NCAA Championship. It is fitting
that this work of art celebrating Coach Richardson and our national championship
be unveiled at Bud Walton Arena in front of the Razorback
fans."
The original art piece is being designed and
painted by artist Opie Otterstad and will be auctioned off online starting on
Feb. 2 at www.NCAA.com/ART. Limited
edition reproductions will also be made available for purchase at the same
website. A portion of the proceeds for the auction will benefit the NABC
Foundation, which supports TTRR (Ticket to Reading Rewards), the College
Basketball Experience (CBE) and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of
Fame.
"Coach Richardson is one of the greatest
coaches and teachers in the history of college basketball," Dan Gavitt, NCAA
vice president of men's basketball said. "The NCAA and Arkansas are eternally
grateful for his impact on the lives of the student-athletes he coached and
thrilled to honor Richardson's place in the tradition of March Madness with this
painting."
Fans looking for additional information on
the NCAA and programs celebrating 75 years of March Madness should visit
www.ncaa .com/march-madness.
