Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – Two prominent Northeast Arkansas business leaders joined the latest episode of the “Saturdays in Jonesboro” podcast to discuss the growing momentum surrounding Arkansas State University athletics, the evolution of Jonesboro, and why they believe the university is entering a pivotal moment.
The conversation, hosted by longtime Arkansas State Red Wolves play-by-play voice Matt Stolz for the Arkansas State Media Network, featured Ted Herget, founder of Gearhead Outfitters, and Davy Carter, former Arkansas Speaker of the House of Representatives and regional president of Centennial Bank.
Podcast conversation with Ted Herget, Gearhead Outfitters and Davy Carter, Centennial Bank
Recorded inside the student union on the Arkansas State campus, the wide-ranging discussion focused on the connection between the university’s athletic success and the continued growth of Jonesboro itself.
“I think Jonesboro’s having, and Arkansas State’s having, the moment right now,” Carter said during the interview. “All the momentum that we have with the community involvement and all the great things going on … we are in the middle of a big moment moving forward.”
Both men reflected on their personal histories with Arkansas State and how their passion for the university has grown stronger over time.
Herget, whose family ties to the university stretch back generations, recalled growing up around Arkansas State athletics and campus life long before becoming a student himself.
“It’s just in my DNA,” Herget said. “I grew up on campus. We were always here. I’m proud to be a grad and proud to be leaning back into it.”
Carter said his appreciation for Arkansas State deepened later in life as he recognized the university’s impact on the region and on his own career.
“As you mature and get a little older, you realize how important this university is to you as a graduate, but also to the community and the state,” Carter said. “It’s our school.”
Throughout the podcast, Stolz guided the discussion through Arkansas State’s athletic resurgence, campus improvements, and the increasing enthusiasm surrounding Red Wolves sports.
The group pointed to projects like Centennial Bank Stadium upgrades, the operations center, and the transformation of areas surrounding campus — including the development of Embassy Suites and the Red Wolf Convention Center — as visible signs of the city’s growth alongside the university.
“There have been so many positive improvements,” Carter said. “Sometimes you think nothing’s changed, and then one day you look back and everything’s changed.”
The conversation repeatedly returned to the atmosphere surrounding Arkansas State athletics and the importance of fan engagement.
Herget and Carter both praised Butch Jones for rebuilding the football program’s culture and creating renewed excitement around game days.
“No one wants to win more than Butch Jones,” Herget said. “He’s cast a winning vision.”
Carter echoed those comments, saying Jones inherited a difficult situation but successfully stabilized the program.
“We were not in a good spot,” Carter said. “The culture was bad. He got it done, and I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
The podcast also highlighted the Alpha Pack tailgating initiative near Centennial Bank Stadium, a fan-engagement concept designed to make Arkansas State football Saturdays feel more like a major event experience.
Herget said inspiration for the idea came from attending Kansas City Chiefs games at Arrowhead Stadium and wanting to create a similar atmosphere in Jonesboro.
“People don’t just want to go to a game,” Herget said. “They want an experience.”
The Alpha Pack concept has focused heavily on fellowship, live music, food, and creating an environment that attracts both longtime supporters and first-time attendees.
Carter said the initiative has helped bring new people to Arkansas State football games.
“People that came to the game through Alpha Pack had never been to an ASU game before,” Carter said. “That’s what you want. We’ve got to expand that territory.”
Stolz noted Arkansas State baseball has experienced similar momentum recently, with record crowds and increased energy around Tomlinson Stadium.
The group also discussed how changing dynamics in college athletics — including NIL and revenue sharing — have created uncertainty nationally, but both Carter and Herget expressed confidence in Arkansas State’s future.
“This is our conference,” Carter said of the Sun Belt Conference. “Arkansas State is the gold standard of the Sun Belt Conference. We will get back to that.”
The nearly hour-long discussion concluded with all three men expressing optimism for the future of Arkansas State athletics and continued growth in Jonesboro.
“We’ve got the people,” Herget said. “The stadium’s only 30,000 people. How can we not fill that?”