2019 Game 1 TCU Football Opponent Overview: The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: is located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Pine Bluff is the tenth-largest city in the state of Arkansas and the county seat of Jefferson County. It is the principal city of the Pine Bluff Metropolitan Statistical Area and part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Pine Bluff Combined Statistical Area. 

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (APB) was authorized in 1873 by the Reconstruction-era legislature as the Branch Normal College and opened in 1875. A historically black college, it was nominally part of the "normal" (education) department of Arkansas Industrial University, later the University of Arkansas. It was operated separately as part of a compromise to get a college for black students, as the state maintained racial segregation well into the 20th century. It later was designated as a land-grant. As Congress had originally established the land grant colleges to provide education to all qualified students in a state, in 1890 it required states maintaining segregated systems to establish a separate land-grant university for blacks as well as whites.

In 1927, the school severed its ties with the University of Arkansas and became Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College (Arkansas AM&N). In 1972, the school re-joined the University of Arkansas system and gained its current name and university status. About 3,000 students attend Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

APB is the oldest and largest historically black college in Arkansas and has the only comprehensive aquaculture program in Arkansas. The program was established to help support the state's $167 million aquaculture industry. Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food. 

The school does not offer engineering degrees, but it has a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville that allows qualified students to spend three years to complete an engineering related bachelor's degree at APB then automatic admissions into the University of Arkansas to complete their engineering bachelor's degree in two years. 

L.C. Greenwood

Some Noted Alumni of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: Chris Mercer, first African-American deputy state prosecutor in the south; Danny K. Davis, a former US Representative for the 7^th Congressional District in Illinois; Samuel L. Kounz, who performed the first successful kidney transplant between humans who were not identical twins; Jamil Nasser, jazz musician, bassist; Tevester Anderson, retired head basketball coach for Jackson State University and Murray State University; Frank Burgess, retired professional basketball player and later an attorney and US federal judge for the Western District of Washington; Joe Gardner, jazz musician, trumpet; L.C. Greenwood, former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman; Terron Armstead, offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints; Cleo Miller, former professional football player; Smokie Norful, pastor and Grammy award-winning gospel singer and pianist; Chris Akins, former professional football player; Big Tuck, rapper; former professional football players Greg Briggs, Greg Wesley, Dante Wesley, Monk Williams, Courtney Van Buren, Charles Ali and Don Zimmerman. 

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Traditions: Here are some traditions observed by APB students and alumni:

Colors: Black and gold

Nickname: Golden Lions

Mascot: The Golden Lion. In the fall of 1928, University President John Brown Watson assembled the student body to select a school mascot. Students chose from an “owl” (the wisest bird) and a lion (king of the jungle animals). The Golden Lion was chosen as the school’s mascot.

Band: APB's band is known as the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4). M4 is one of the top three largest collegiate marching bands in Arkansas. It is a five drum major led marching band. The band is accompanied by two auxiliaries. The dance auxiliary is known as the "Golden Girls" and the flag auxiliary known as the "24K Golden Silks." In 2008, the band made its debut appearance at the Honda Battle of the Bands. In 2009, M4 was selected to participate in the United States Presidential Inaugural Parade.

Watch: here  

 Alma Mater: 

State College, we greet thee with love and devotion;
 

Our hearts and our treasures we bring to thy shrine.
 

With arms that are strong from all harm, we defend thee;
 

Thy name shall we cherish, dear mother of mine.
 

We walk through this wide world in peace and with courage.
We gained while we sat at thy sanctified seat.
We come when thou call’st us to battle, dear mother.

Chorus

Alma Mater, we love thee, we love thee, dear mother;
And all that we have we cast down at thy feet.

In days of our childhood we romped in the wildwood.
We waded the brooks, sipped the sweet morning dew.
We heard of great treasurers of wisdom and knowledge,
Of wealth not for purchase of goodness and you.
We entered the portals with some trepidation.
We knew not what fates awaited us there.
Thou girded our loins with the strength of Gibraltar:
We drank from thy fountain and breathed thy pure air.

We breathed thy great spirit and learned more of wisdom,
More truth through the vistas of life can we see.
The work of thy hand as it guided our footsteps
With faith thou did’st teach as we sat by thy knee.
Nor more shall we wonder who gave thee thy powers.
No one but our God can bestow such as gift.
We step with thy heart-strokes today, and forever
Thy flag to the breezes of heaven we lift.

And cast all we have at they gloried feet. 

Listen: here 

Band Concert: Annually, the Music Department presents the University Band in Concert.

Black History Month: During the month of February, Black History Month is observed, to pay tribute to note African Americans who have made significant contributions to the progress of mankind as a whole and to African Americans in particular. 

Chancellor’s Benefit for the Arts: This formal affair supports the visual and performing arts at APB. 

Chancellor’s Convocation: An all-school assembly, is held at the beginning of each semester. 

Founder’s Day: Each year, the University pauses on the Sunday closest to April 25 (the date of the founding of the institution) to pay tribute to those whose services and sacrifices have made the University’s achievements possible. The event includes sunrise service, a family breakfast and the Founders Day Convocation. 

Handel’s Messiah: Each year, the APB choir performs Handel’s Messiah during the Christmas season. Traditionally, the presentation of the Messiah marks the official opening of the Christmas season on the campus.

Homecoming: Celebrated annually and includes a parade on Main Street in the city of Pine Bluff. 

Lion Fever Day: During the fall and spring semesters, high school students from throughout Arkansas and adjoining states are invited to the campus for a day of information and activities. 

Spring Emphasis Week: Each spring, usually in March or April, one week is devoted to honoring different components of the University family: students, faculty, staff, the community, parents, women, and all others who contribute to the life-blood of the University. 

Spring Unity Fest: An even that brings together the University and the community through entertainment, food, games, vendors, information booths, novelty attractions and contests. 

Vesper Choir Concert: The Friday before Commencement, the University Choir performs its annual concert on the steps of the J.B. Watson Library.