Hall of Fame
The late Leslie “Shorty” Beard was one of the most-beloved figures in UAM history.
A basketball and football player at Arkansas A&M in the 1940s, Beard was named head basketball coach in 1959 after nine successful seasons at Drew Central High School.
He coached the Boll Weevils for 13 seasons from 1959 to 1972. Beard coached more seasons and won more games (153) than any coach in school history. His first A&M team captured the school’s first NAIA District championship and earned a trip to the NAIA national tournament in Kansas City. His first four teams averaged 17 wins a season.
Beard resigned as head basketball coach in 1971 to become athletic director, a post he held until his retirement in 1985.
