Arkansas Baptist College Opens Season at War Memorial Stadium

Arkansas Baptist College will begin its eighth season of football in the stadium where the school played its first home game ever in 2007, War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. 

During a news conference at the stadium Monday, school officials announced that the Buffaloes will open the 2014 season on Saturday, Aug. 23, against Georgia Prep Sports Academy. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Both schools play at the junior college level.

“Junior colleges begin the season a week earlier than the four-year schools, so we’ll be the only game in town that Saturday,” said Charles Ripley, the Arkansas Baptist athletic director. “Playing at War Memorial Stadium allows us to showcase our product, which we are very proud of.” 

Tickets for the game, which are $10 each, may be purchased in advance at Arkansas Baptist or on the day of the game at War Memorial Stadium. What’s being billed as the Back To School Buffalo Classic will feature youth football games beginning at noon.

Richard Wilson, the Buffalo head coach, said he has almost 160 players out for preseason drills.

“I’ve had the good fortune to coach at a lot of schools,” Wilson said. “I’m realistic about the job at Arkansas Baptist. My mission is different here. It’s to give kids a chance. But we have a talent base this year that we haven’t had in the past. We should be a very competitive team.”

Read Rex Nelson’s feature on Charles Ripley here.