TOUCHDOWN CLUB SCORES AGAIN
An enthusiastic crowd was on hand Aug. 6 for the unveiling of the 2024 Little Rock Touchdown Club slate of speakers. LRTC co-founder David Bazzel revealed the slate during a ceremony at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
“There is not another touchdown club in America that has a turnout like this to see the lineup,” Bazzel said, adding that no other club meets 15 weeks straight.
Chris White, chief community banking officer at Simmons Bank, gave the opening statement, saying, “I honestly believe this year is going to be amazing.”
The 2024 roster is particularly noteworthy in this, the club’s 20th anniversary year. It includes:
Aug. 19: Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Aug. 26: Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
Sept. 3: Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens
Sept. 9: Eric Dickerson, SMU, Los Angeles Rams
Sept. 16: Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas
Sept. 23: Jimbo Fisher, FSU, Texas A&M
Sept. 30: Greg McElroy, ESPN, Alabama
Oct. 7: Dan Mullen, ESPN, Florida, Miss. St.
Oct. 14: Nathan Brown, UCA
Oct. 21: D.J. Williams, Arkansas, Green Bay Packers; Jarius Wright, Arkansas, Minnesota Vikings; Joe Adams, Arkansas, Carolina
Oct. 28: Butch Jones, Arkansas State
Nov. 4: Colt McCoy, Texas
Nov. 11: Barry Switzer, Oklahoma, Dallas Cowboys; Ken Hatfield, Arkansas; Freddie Marshall, Arkansas
Nov. 18: Jordan Rodgers, SEC Network, Vanderbilt
Nov. 25: David Pollack, Georgia, Cincinnati
Switzer, Hatfield and Marshall will speak for the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Razorback championship team with Hatfield and Marshall representing defense and offense, respectively.
“It just wouldn’t be football season without the Little Rock Touchdown Club,” said Heather Baker, president of AY Media Group, a media sponsor of the club, who was on hand to witness the event. “This organization has done so much to support the football culture in Arkansas and the many fans who live for their teams from one end of the state to the other.”
Arkansas PBS will live stream the weekly meetings this year.
The Little Rock Touchdown Club debuted in August 2004, when a small group gathered at what was then the Little Rock Hilton to discuss football. The club has become one of the nation’s largest and now has more than 500 members. Each Monday during the season, members gather for lunch, starting at 11 a.m., followed by the program beginning at noon.
Simmons Bank serves as the presenting sponsor for the club. Premier sponsors include Doublebee’s, Sissy’s Log Cabin, Oaklawn Sports and Crain Automotive Team.
Past speakers have included college and pro football greats, coaching legends, and titans of the broadcast booth. The club also reserves weeks in the schedule to showcase Arkansas college football programs and caps the year with an awards program recognizing outstanding achievement on the field.
To become a member, visit lrtouchdown.com.
Watch the announcement ceremony below.
