Monticello Rotary Club to celebrate 100 years with banquet

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Monticello Rotary Club was founded in 1923 and in its 100 Years has been a beacon for service and community involvement. The club serves Monticello through reading projects at the local schools, scholarships at UAM, and fund raisers for organizations such as Feed the Kids.  On a global scale, Rotary International does water projects and has helped with the eradication of Polio.  

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the Monticello Rotary Club will celebrate its 100 year anniversary with a special Banquet.  The Club will have former Razorback head football coach and current CBS national football analyst, Houston Nutt as its guest speaker. 

Houston Nutt was born in Little Rock.  His father played basketball for Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky as well as Oklahoma State University.  Coach Nutt began is athletic career at Little Rock Central, becoming one of the most highly touted basketball and football prospects in the country in the mid 70’s. He is one of only a few players in Razorback history to play basketball and football in the same seasons. He was on the 1976-77 Southwest Conference Championship Razorback Basketball Team that went 26-2 under Eddie Sutton, and was the last football recruit of legendary coach Frank Broyles. 

After his playing days, Coach Nutt began his coaching career as the running backs coach for Oklahoma State University. There he coached the likes of NFL great, Thurmon Thomas and 1988 Heisman Trophy Winner, Barry Sanders.  

From OSU, Nutt went to Arkansas as an assistant coach under Head Coach Jack Crowe.   Following his stint in Arkansas,  he became the Head Coach at Murray State University where he was a two time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the Eddie Robinson Division II National Coach of the year.  His success at Murray State allowed him to become the Head Coach of Boise State University where he took a first time Division One school to the brink of bowl eligibility.  In 1998, Coach Nutt became the Head Coach of his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks.   During his time as head hog, Coach Nutt became the second winningest coach in school history, behind Frank Broyles, won National Coach of the Year, won two SEC West Titles, and took the Hogs to eight bowl games. 

Coach Nutt has an 11-2 record in overtime games, including a five, six, and seven (twice) over time game victories. 

He is one of four coaches to win SEC Coach of the Year with multiple teams, Bear Bryant, Steve Spurrier, and Nick Saban are the other coaches with this honor. 

Coach Nutt is married to Diana Nutt and they have four children.  

The Monticello Rotary Club is proud of its 100 Years of “Service about Self” in Monticello is excited to have Coach Nutt as its special guest for this momentous occasion. 

The public is invited to attend the 100 year celebration banquet on Tuesday, June 13 in the UAM Green Room.  Sponsor Tables are available for purchase as well as a limited number of individual tickets. Please contact Brandon Hogg at (870) 723-5338 or brandon.hogg@unionbnk.com for ticket information. Banquet information will be provided on the club’s Facebook Page, Rotary Club of Monticello.