Champion of the Year Recipients
Browse past ARPA Champion of the Year recipients recognized for volunteer leadership, service, and meaningful contributions to parks and recreation across Arkansas.
Past Recipients
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1981 | Dr. Delores White |
| 1982 | Ted Williams |
| 1983 | Jim Dunn |
| 1985 | Jack McKay, Arkadelphia |
| 1986 | Dr. Sheila Dunaway Bathke, Russellville |
| 1988 | Danny Ebert, Boston Mountain Ranger District |
| 1990 | Jo Luck Cargile and Kay Kelly Arnold, Real Estate Transfer Tax |
| 1991 | Ralph “Pop” Stricklin, Jonesboro |
| 1992 | John M. Archer, District Ranger U.S. Forest Service, Jessieville Ranger District |
| 1993 | Raymond Powell, Volunteer, “Huckleberry Mtn. Horse Trail,” Mt. Magazine Ranger District, Ozark National Forest |
| 1994 | Mike Hedges, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service |
| 1995 | Dianne Lamberth, Volunteer, Batesville |
| 1996 | Susan Driver, Fayetteville Parks & Recreation Advisory Board |
| 1997 | Bill Waite, City of Fayetteville Advisory Board |
| 1999 | Robert Smart, Snapper |
| 2000 | Clay Curtener, Newport |
| 2002 | David Justice, Fayetteville |
| 2004 | Mike Hill, Fayetteville Boys and Girls Club |
| 2005 | Kristi Sixkiller, Champs League |
| 2006 | Larry Yancy, Jonesboro |
| 2008 | Hobbit Singleton, Little Rock Marathon |
| 2009 | Wade Colwell, Fayetteville |
| 2010 | Cindi Cope, Fayetteville |
| 2011 | Rollie Friess |
| 2012 | Dave Bowman |
| 2014 | Diane Gaynor, Fayetteville |
| 2015 | Frank Sharp, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation |
| 2017 | Camilla Ballard, Jonesboro |
| 2018 | Laura Underwood, Yvonne Richardson Community Center |
| 2019 | Rob Reno, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation |
| 2021 | Dr. Cathi McMahan, Arkansas Tech University |
| 2022 | Dr. Robert Williams, Little Rock Parks and Recreation Volunteer Park Ranger |
| 2023 | Grant Watts |
