Lodging:
Embassy Suites
223 Red Wolf Boulevard
Jonesboro, AR 72450
Room Rate: $119.00++ Room Block is SOLD OUT rooms at regular rate still available
2870-619-4482
Keynote Speaker:
DeMoine Adams is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas and is a former University of Nebraska standout football player. He played an instrumental role in helping the Huskers win a Big 12 Conference Championship in 1999 and helped lead the Huskers to the National Championship Rose Bowl in January 2002. He also spent time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, and San Francisco 49ers. As a first-generation student, DeMoine received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska in Political Science with minors in English, History, Communications, Ethnic Studies, and African Studies. He went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing his Doctorate degree at the University
of Nebraska. DeMoine is currently serving as the CEO for TeamMates Mentoring, which was started by co-founder and former Nebraska Football Head Coach Tom Osborne. DeMoine also speaks numerous times each year across the country as a motivational speaker inspiring others to be winners and leaders in life. He currently resides in Lincoln, NE, and his motto in life is: “Once you see where you’re going, then everything you do must correspond with where you’re going.”
Luncheon Keynote:
Arkansas State University System President Dr. Chuck Welch announced May 4, 2022, that Jeff Purinton, a highly-respected and veteran athletics administrator who most recently spent the last seven years as part of the Alabama Athletics Department’s executive staff, has been named the Red Wolves’ Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. Purinton comes to A-State following a 15-year stint at the University of Alabama, but his path to Jonesboro also included professional stops working with the Orange Bowl Committee (2006-07) and the Florida State Athletics Department (1994-2006) while also having a national presence on multiple college football committees. Purinton most recently served as Alabama’s Executive Deputy Director of Athletics after being elevated to the position in 2021, but also held Deputy AD (2019-21), Executive Associate AD (2018-19), Senior Associate AD (2015-18) and Associate Athletics Director for Football Communications (2007-15) titles during his time with the Crimson Tide.Purinton has served on several College Football National Championship Game media coordination committees while working at Alabama and the Orange Bowl and was a member of the College Football 150th Anniversary Committee. He has successfully helped promote four Heisman Trophy winning campaigns (Chris Weinke at Florida State; Mark Ingram, Derrick Henry, DeVonta Smith at Alabama) along with a Campbell Trophy winner (Barrett Jones at Alabama). Purinton is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics and the Football Writers Associate of America. He was a 2019 NEXT UP honoree by CollegeAD and was selected to attend the NACDA AD Mentoring Institute (2017 & 2019) and the Lead1 Institute (2018). From 2016-17, Purinton served as the athletics department coordinator for the University’s United Way campaign. A native of Palatka, Fla., Purinton received his bachelor’s degree in sports management and master’s in athletics administration at Florida State University. He and his wife Julie have two daughters, Jillian and Josie.
