Corliss to coach UCA Bears; I'm reminded of a nude beauty queen (?!)

The big sports news today is that former Arkansas Razorback and NBA star Corliss Williamson is the new men's basketball coach at my alma mater UCA.

The fine Conway daily The Log Cabin Democrat reports that:

Williamson is leaving his job as coach at Arkansas Baptist, a junior college in Little Rock, to take over at Division I Central Arkansas, according to Charles Ripley, the athletic director at Arkansas Baptist.

Ripley says Arkansas Baptist is "excited" for Williamson and that he expects the former Arkansas Razorback to "do very well" at Central Arkansas.

Max Brantley over at the Arkansas Times Blog reports that Corliss has:

mentioned that Scotty Thurman may join him as an assistant.

This is all very interesting given that I had a brush with both men today.

I did this story about the city of Little Rock's effort to encourage participation in the census this year. The city had arranged this morning for Corliss, Scotty and Arkansas Baptist President Fitz Hill to show up at a TV studio and record PSAs (Public Service Announcements) targeting minority residents of the capitol city.

The shoot was to begin at 10:00, but when I arrived with other reporters and photographers we were informed that Williamson would not be able to make it after all. This was a bit annoying as he was the biggest name among those we were told were coming. Dr. Hill didn't show up until maybe 10:15, and he ended up doing a PSA with Sgt. Cassandra Davis of the LRPD. As I was leaving around 10:45, Thurman was just arriving.

So, as sometimes happens, you brush up against a story only realizing later what was actually going on.

An example from earlier in my news career: Vanessa Williams, now known as a soul singer and actress on Ugly Betty, was the first black Miss America, a big deal in July 1984. I was a young radio reporter in my first year at KARN, and was sent to cover a personal appearance by Miss Williams at a store (I want to say it was a Wal-Mart) on Geyer Springs Road. She was there promoting some beauty product, as I recall. Along with a gaggle of other reporters, I asked a couple of inane questions, we got our quotes/photos and headed back to our respective newsrooms.

An hour later, I hear a CBS radio newscast saying that Penthouse publisher Bob Gucione had bought nude photos of the lovely Vanessa and was planning to print them in the September '84 issue of his magazine. Knowing she was in town, the local press sprung into action, but Miss America was quickly and quietly whisked out of Little Rock, avoiding the press.

After several days of national controversy, Williams resigned under pressure from the Miss America organization. Her final pre-scandal appearance as Miss America was in southwest Little Rock.

So, there you have it... sometimes you miss a story by thaaaat much.