November 30 marked a historic day for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) as two iconic figures in Golden Lion athletics, former head soccer coach Lee A. Hardman Sr. and present head girls’s basketball coach Erica Smith (Taylor) Leak, had been named to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The distinguished duo, whose careers span generations and embody excellence throughout Arkansas athletics, now take their place among the many state’s most celebrated coaches, athletes, and leaders, underscoring the significance of this achievement for UAPB and the group.
UAPB Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics Chris Robinson expressed great satisfaction within the honor:
“This is a wonderful moment for Golden Lion Nation,” stated Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Chris Robinson.” “To have both Coach Hardman and Coach Leak selected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is truly special. Their impact represents the very best of who we are at UAPB: excellence, perseverance, integrity, and leadership,” Robinson added.
“Coach Hardman constructed a basis of satisfaction, toughness, and perception that also resonates all through our soccer program in the present day. His legacy is woven into the DNA of UAPB Athletics. Coach Leak continues to elevate our girls’s basketball program by her championship mindset, ardour for growing younger girls, and dedication to constructing a tradition that conjures up greatness. The basis she is laying will take our program to one other stage, one thing Golden Lion Nation is already enthusiastic about. Her influence on campus and in the neighborhood speaks to who she is, not simply as a coach, however as a frontrunner and function mannequin.
“This honor places them alongside some of the greatest figures in Arkansas sports history, and it brings tremendous pride to our state, our university, our alumni, and the entire Pine Bluff community. Their selection is a testament to their life’s work, and we are grateful to celebrate this moment with them. They continue to set a powerful standard for Golden Lions everywhere, and we could not be more proud, Robinson concluded.”
Lee A. Hardman Sr.
Lee Hardman A. Sr., a Stuttgart, Arkansas, native and one of probably the most achieved and revered soccer coaches in Arkansas historical past, has earned his place within the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. A standout defensive again at Arkansas AM&N from 1968–71, Hardman constructed a training legacy over greater than three a long time, outlined by championships, participant growth, program rebuilding, and transformative management at each the high-school and collegiate ranges.
Hardman started his head-coaching profession at Dollarway High School in 1982, shortly turning the Cardinals into one of Arkansas’s premier soccer packages. Throughout his dominant highschool tenure, he amassed an distinctive 117–38–1 document. He captured 4 state championships, establishing a typical of excellence that also resonates throughout Arkansas prep soccer.
In 1993, Hardman returned to his alma mater to take over the UAPB soccer program following its reinstatement from the NCAA’s Death Penalty. Tasked with one of probably the most tough rebuilding challenges in school soccer, Hardman grew to become the primary coach in NCAA historical past to information a program off the Death Penalty and document 5 wins, signaling a strong turnaround and ushering in a brand new period for Golden Lion soccer.
Just one 12 months later, Hardman engineered one of the best seasons in program historical past, main UAPB to the 1994 NAIA Division I National Championship Game. He adopted that success with a 1995 NAIA Semifinal look, solidifying the Golden Lions as a nationwide contender.
As UAPB transitioned into the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1997, Hardman continued elevating this system. He produced a number of successful seasons, together with back-to-back 8–3 campaigns in 1997 and 1998. He additionally grew to become the primary UAPB head coach to defeat all 10 SWAC opponents prior to convention enlargement, an achievement unmatched in program historical past.
Over his 11-year collegiate tenure (1993–2003), Hardman compiled a 64–57 document, making him the winningest head soccer coach in UAPB historical past. His management guided this system by main transitions, restored nationwide relevance, and produced some of probably the most aggressive groups of the trendy period.
Hardman later returned to Dollarway High School, serving in administrative and athletic roles from 2013–15 earlier than resuming head-coaching duties from 2016–17. His continued management additional stabilized this system and strengthened his lifelong dedication to mentoring younger athletes.
With greater than 180 profession teaching victories, Hardman stays a towering determine in Arkansas athletics and a foundational pillar in UAPB soccer historical past. His induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame cements his legacy as one of the state’s biggest soccer minds.
Hardman expressed deep gratitude for the dignity of being chosen to the Hall of Fame:
“It’s a great honor, and I am very proud to be inducted. The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame represents the highest level of recognition in our state, and the group I’m going in with is truly outstanding. It gives you chills knowing that my name will now be part of something so special. There were so many deserving individuals who could have been chosen, so to know that I was selected is incredibly humbling and deeply meaningful.”
Career Highlights – Lee A. Hardman Sr.
- Compiled an elite 117–38–1 document at Dollarway High School
- Led Dollarway to 4 Arkansas state championships
- First coach in NCAA historical past to take a program off the Death Penalty and win 5 video games
- Guided UAPB to the 1994 NAIA National Championship Game
- Led the Golden Lions to the 1995 NAIA Semifinals
- Produced back-to-back 8–3 seasons in 1997 and 1998
- First UAPB coach to defeat all 10 SWAC opponents pre-expansion
- Winningest head coach in UAPB soccer historical past (64–57)
- Achieved 180+ whole teaching victories throughout highschool and school
- Revered for self-discipline, physicality, culture-building, and participant growth
Coach Leak has been inducted for her exceptional athletic profession rooted in Arkansas custom, aggressive excellence, and lifelong dedication to the sport of basketball.
Leak’s story is one of pure expertise, relentless drive, and a deep household legacy in Arkansas athletics. Growing up in a small city, basketball was greater than a sport; it was a manner of life. Competition formed her growth, and her household performed a serious function in her rise. She is the cousin of former Arkansas Razorback Carl Baker and former Ole Miss standout Jason Smith, each of whom competed on main collegiate levels. Their mentorship was pivotal all through Leak’s early basketball journey.
Before coming into highschool, Leak had already developed a championship mindset. She dominated on the junior excessive stage, main her groups to an ideal 53–0 document over three seasons, a streak that previewed the success that will observe.
At Palestine–Wheatley High School, Leak grew to become one of probably the most embellished athletes in Arkansas prep historical past. She guided the Patriots to three consecutive state championship appearances from 1999 to 2001, capturing the state title her senior season and incomes State Tournament MVP honors. In 2001, she was named a Parade All-American, solidifying her standing as one of the nation’s high highschool gamers.
Leak additionally holds deep ties to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Most of her relations are proud UAPB graduates, making a longstanding private connection to the establishment lengthy earlier than she arrived as head coach. That historical past made her return to lead the Golden Lions particularly significant.
Leak took her expertise to nationwide powerhouse Louisiana Tech University, the place she grew to become one of probably the most versatile and impactful gamers in Lady Techster historical past. During her profession, she earned two All-WAC choices, two All-WAC Tournament Team honors, and two All-WAC Defensive Team choices. She was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team. She totaled 1,246 profession factors and 250 steals, rating ninth all-time in program historical past, regardless of lacking most of her senior season. Her legacy was additional acknowledged along with her choice to the Louisiana Tech All Quarter Century Team.
As a 2005 graduate, Leak helped lead the Lady Techsters to 4 straight Western Athletic Conference championships, earned WAC Freshman of the Year honors, and appeared within the NCAA Tournament in all 4 seasons.
Her collegiate success opened the door to the skilled ranks, as she was chosen nineteenth total by the Washington Mystics within the 2005 WNBA Draft.
After her skilled taking part in profession, Leak returned house to Arkansas, the place she continued to affect the subsequent technology of athletes. In 2021, she led West Memphis High School to its first state championship recreation look since 2003. In 2024, she was named head girls’s basketball coach at UAPB, the place she is now laying the muse for a brand new period of development, tradition, and aggressive excellence for the Golden Lions.
Her collegiate profession at nationwide powerhouse Louisiana Tech University additional elevated her legacy. One of probably the most versatile gamers in Lady Techster historical past, Leak earned:
- Two All-WAC choices
- Two All-WAC Tournament Team honors
- Two WAC All-Defensive Team choices
- WAC All-Freshman Team honors
During her time at Louisiana Tech, Leak helped lead this system to:
- Four WAC championships
- Four NCAA Tournament appearances
- 2002 WAC Freshman of the Year honors
Leak expressed deep gratitude for the dignity of being chosen to the Hall of Fame:
“I’m honored to be named to the Hall of Fame Class… it’s a surreal moment, and it allows you to reflect back on your life,” Leak stated. “It’s a reflection of your life being recognized, all the blood, sweat, and tears you poured in. I’m very excited because when you think of all the great people already inducted and then look at this year’s class, it’s humbling to be named among some of the greatest. I’m excited for my children and family to witness this, and I want to thank my AD for supporting me along with the Arkansas Hall of Fame committee.”