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37-408: The arena features Bud Walton Arena Razorback Sports Museum on the ground level, which houses a history of Razorback basketball, track and field, baseball, tennis and golf. The arena is named after James "Bud" Walton , co-founder of Walmart , who donated a large portion of the funds needed to build the arena. Walton purportedly gave $ 15 million, or around half of the construction cost. Construction of

74-484: A fall in the school gymnasium. When the Great Depression of the 1930s hit the country, Wentworth, like many institutions across the country, struggled to survive. In 1933, Colonel James M. Sellers assumed the superintendency of the school and was soon joined at the helm by Colonel Lester B. Wikoff , treasurer and business manager. Together, Sellers’ natural leadership and Wikoff's business acumen would lead

111-461: A lack of financial support for continued operations. Plans were announced to settle the school's debts, allow students and staff to seek enrollment and employment elsewhere. The 43 acre campus and buildings were sold to Jubilee University (a Christian based music boarding school) which has since maintained the facilities for their ongoing instructional operations. Also sold were the monuments honoring 130 years of valor and achievement, which were sold to

148-573: A memorial, Wentworth focused his attention on finally making a school for boys a reality in Lexington. In the spring of 1880, Mr. Wentworth announced that a new school named Wentworth Male Academy would begin operation in the fall. Mr. Wentworth had a long record of public service to Lexington. A local editorial writer proclaimed that Wentworth was "One of our oldest, most generous and most worthy citizens" and "no nobler name can this community furnish [the new school]. " On May 24, 1880, Mr. Wentworth bought

185-613: A neutral field in Sedalia or Marshall, Missouri . The Kansas City and St. Louis newspapers referred to the gridiron battle as the "Little Army-Navy Game", and gave front-page coverage to the outcome. This rivalry ended with the 2002 closure of Kemper. By the mid-1920s, Sandford Sellers, handed over much of the day-to-day operations of the school to his sons, Sandford Sellers Jr., superintendent from 1923 to 1933, and James M. Sellers , Commandant and Assistant Superintendent. But Sandford Sellers stayed very involved until his death in 1938 after

222-404: A number of enhancements and improvements to the arena. In 2004, a new custom scoreboard debuted, which is 24 feet 3 inches (7.39 m) wide by 22 feet (6.7 m) tall, features four video screens, each 12 feet 6 inches (3.81 m) wide by 8 feet 10 inches (2.69 m) tall. (There is also a LED ring at the top that is used to display game statistics.) In 2005,

259-593: A remarkable 110 years of the Sellers family's continuous involvement in the active operation of the academy. In the 1990s, Wentworth struggled with enrollment. As part of a new approach, female cadets were admitted for the first time in 1993, and soon made up about twenty-five percent of the corps. The Wentworth Foundation was created in an attempt to build stronger financial footing. In 2002, Major General John H. Little , Wentworth Class of 1961, returned to campus as superintendent. Under his stewardship, Tillotson barracks

296-500: The Vietnam War , combined with double-digit inflation, caused enrollment to plummet. Many military schools across the country simply closed their doors. Wentworth was dealt an additional blow when, in 1975, a fire destroyed two buildings and severely damaged others, causing the loss of over 32,000 square feet (3,000 m ) of space. Despite these setbacks, Colonel J. M. Sellers Jr., was able to stabilize enrollment by 1978 and lead

333-633: The "New Presbyterian Church" at the southwest corner of 18th and Main Streets, directed that it be fitted up for the next term, and gave the school solid financial backing. Although his financial involvement was limited to the Academy's early years of operation, his foresight led to the establishment of the first board of trustees and his generosity provided a firm foundation for the school. Wentworth also announced that 22-year-old Benjamin Lewis Hobson,

370-557: The ( North Central Association of Colleges and Schools ). Following its closure in May 2017, the campus was put up for sale and purchased in June of 2020 by Jubilee University, a Christian music and performing arts organization based in St. Louis. They are currently in operation and plan to house as many as 600 students on the campus once COVID restrictions are reduced. The Wentworth Military Academy

407-521: The 2013-14 season, the press seating was moved to the southeast corner of the bottom bowl, with its prior location being used for an expanded student section. On February 6, 2018, the University of Arkansas’s Associated Student Government Senate passed a resolution by Senator Clay Smith to encourage the University of Arkansas Athletic Department to name the court at the arena in honor of former Arkansas head coach Nolan Richardson . On March 28, 2019,

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444-514: The Hemp Bales was still a recent memory when Stephen G. Wentworth founded Wentworth Military Academy in 1880. By the 1870s, the town had already attained the reputation as the "Athens of the West" for its many academic institutions. Lexington was home to three notable schools for girls. Lexington Baptist Female College was started in 1850 in the old county courthouse that had been abandoned upon

481-414: The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name the court in honor of former coach Richardson . Attendance Record: 20,361 vs. Auburn, February 8, 2022. Attendance Chart (men) for every year Bud Walton Arena has been in operation ( NCAA National Champions ) ( NCAA Runner-Up ) James %22Bud%22 Walton James Lawrence "Bud" Walton (December 20, 1921 – March 21, 1995)

518-407: The academy through another period of growth. In 1980, Wentworth celebrated its centennial year, with Vice-President Walter Mondale addressing the corps of cadets at commencement. In the early 1980s, enrollment continued to rise, peaking at over 400 cadets in 1984. In 1990, Colonel Sellers Sr., who taught Latin until he was 95 years old, died, and Colonel Sellers Jr., resigned as superintendent, ending

555-654: The age of 73. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Columbia, Missouri. Wentworth Military Academy and College Wentworth Military Academy and College was a private two-year military college and high school in Lexington, Missouri , one of six military junior colleges in the United States. The institution was founded in 1880 and closed in 2017. Lexington's Civil War Battle of

592-475: The arena took only 18 months, a short time considering the size of the undertaking. When it was built, it was touted as a larger version of Barnhill Arena , the team's former home. In hopes of recreating the formidable home-court advantage the Razorbacks enjoyed at Barnhill, architect Rosser International built an arena that, as the company put it, had "more seats in less space than in any other facility of

629-478: The boom times of World War I, when enrollment more than doubled to over 500 cadets. He also oversaw the addition of the junior college in 1923. During much of the 20th century, the annual football game with rival Kemper Military School and College in Boonville, Missouri was a huge event on Thanksgiving Day, with both corps of cadets boarding trains and either meeting on their home fields, or sometimes meeting on

666-613: The boys worked on the family's farm. Bud Walton delivered newspapers, worked as a lifeguard, and did yard work. He attended David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, where he played varsity basketball and was elected senior class president. After graduation, he attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington , Missouri. He served as a Navy pilot in World War II. While undergoing flight training, Bud met and married his wife, Audrey. They had two daughters, Ann and Nancy . Bud and his brother, Sam, began their career in

703-568: The campus since 1921 and was traditionally saluted by every cadet when they passed by it. Wentworth's college was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission . The Higher Learning Commission placed Wentworth on probation in late 2015 "because of concerns related to integrity regarding the College's finances and resources to support its academic programs and operations." The high school was accredited by AdvancED , formerly

740-540: The construction of the new Lafayette County Courthouse , built in 1847 and still in use today. In 1869 the Baptist Female College moved its operation to the former home of Pony Express Founder William B. Waddell at the corner of 13th and South Streets. Elizabeth Aull Seminary was opened in the fall of 1860 and operated in a large building on Highland Avenue. Central Female College , later Central College for Women , began in 1868 and, in 1871, took over

777-500: The highest bidder by Oldham Auctions of Bates City MO. Many unique pieces of Wentworth's history were purchased at the auction by former cadet alumni, many of whom then donated it to the Wentworth Museum in downtown Lexington (WMAmuseum.org). Saved from the auction block for museum display were several large historic items, including the chapel's stained glass windows, and the actual WWI "Doughboy" statue which stood in front of

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814-483: The locker rooms were remodeled, and a lounge and meeting area were added. Prior to the 2008–09 season, eight luxury suites were added, raising the total to 47. In addition, courtside seating was added, the student section was reconfigured, and press seating was moved to the east side of the arena behind the basket. In 2008, LED ribbon boards were installed around the ring between the upper and lower decks. The addition of these improvements expanded seating to 19,368. Prior to

851-525: The new school alone, and he turned to Sandford Sellers , a 26-year-old friend and former classmate at Centre College in Kentucky . Sellers eagerly accepted Hobson's invitation to join him as co-principal at Wentworth Male Academy. When Hobson left to pursue a career in the ministry at the end of the 1880–81 school year, Sellers took full charge of the academy. Sandford Sellers became the force who forged Wentworth's national reputation, and his hand would guide

888-630: The old Masonic College on the grounds of the Battlefield. However, Lexington's educators, business leaders and ministers had made numerous attempts to establish a school for boys and young men. Public schools were not yet widespread and there was a glaring need for a boys' school, but none had been successful. The most visible failed effort was the Masonic College of Missouri , which moved to Lexington in 1847 and operated until 1859. On May 12, 1879, Wentworth's 27-year-old son William died. As

925-668: The retail industry working in the Ben Franklin Stores , a franchised unit of Butler Brothers of Chicago. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. opened its first Sam's Club – named for Sam Walton – on April 7, 1983, in Midwest City, Oklahoma . Together, the Walton brothers donated $ 150,000 to build a new home for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau in Columbia, Missouri. The building

962-610: The same type anywhere in the world." The arena has been the home to the Razorbacks since November 1993; the men's team won the national championship in the arena's first season of operation. The basketball team's former home, Barnhill Arena was renovated into a volleyball -specific facility and now houses the Razorback volleyball and gymnastics teams, along with hosting high school graduations. In its early years, Nolan Richardson 's teams frequently attracted standing-room-only crowds of over 20,000. Since its opening, there have been

999-485: The school for the next 58 years. In the early days, he handled all the institution's administrative affairs, academic planning, and student recruitment on his own, canvassing surrounding areas on horseback. In 1882, Wentworth became a military school , and Sellers hired Captain David W. Fleet, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute , as the first Commandant. Fleet brought VMI terms such as "rats", "rears", and "Old Boys" to

1036-689: The school to new heights. Colonel Sellers and Colonel Wikoff guided the school through the lean years of the 1930s and into the prosperity of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. During their term of leadership, Wentworth added a number of buildings to the campus, including the Sellers-Wikoff Scholastic Building, the Memorial Chapel, Sandford Sellers Hall, and the Wikoff Field House. In addition, a unique military aviator training program complete with its own airport

1073-470: The school, and Wikoff served as superintendent from 1960 to 1971. During that time, Wentworth had unparalleled enrollment, averaging over 550 students a year. Under Wikoff's leadership, the 65,000-square-foot (6,000 m ) Wikoff Field House opened in 1966, including three basketball courts, a Laykold-type indoor track, a racquetball court, a weight room, a wrestling room, and a pool. Among the signature programs that Wentworth offered from 1966 until its closing

1110-402: The school. The school officially changed its name to Wentworth Military Academy in 1890. Sellers' skills as educator, administrator, businessman, and promoter saw the institution through its first half-century of growth, and his vision remained throughout the history of the school. He led Wentworth through economic panics of the 1890s, when he struggled to keep enrollment above 100, and through

1147-708: The son of the local Presbyterian minister who had run a fledgling private boys’ school in town the previous year, would be given charge of W.M.A. Young Hobson had graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky , with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1877, and had spent the next two years as teacher and then principal of Spencer Institute in Taylorsville, Kentucky . In the summer of 1879, he had returned to his hometown of Lexington and started Hobson's Select School for Boys. Benjamin Hobson knew that he could not operate

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1184-400: Was General Mark A. Welsh who would go on to be 20th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force . In 1973, a third generation of the Sellers family assumed leadership of the Academy when Colonel James M. Sellers Jr. , a 1945 Wentworth graduate, was named as superintendent. In the early 1970s, the school was again faced with crisis. Anti-military backlash from the country's continued involvement in

1221-454: Was constructed. On April 7, 2017, the Board of Trustees announced that Wentworth Military Academy & College would be closed, with final commencement to occur on May 13, 2017 and the official date of closure set for May 31, 2017. An email was sent out to all alumni and employees, parents and cadets informing them of the closure. The announcement cited declining enrollment, an aging campus, and

1258-593: Was launched to train pilots. A highlight of the Sellers-Wikoff era was President Harry S. Truman 's speech to the cadet corps at Wentworth's 75th anniversary celebration in 1954. The cadet corps stood in review for the President before he attended a reception at the home of COL Sellers for the unveiling of a Mariners' Compass created in terrazzo tile by the Academy art instructor, Max Harper. In 1960, Sellers retired as superintendent but remained as president of

1295-860: Was named the Thomas G. Walton Building in honor of their father. Bud Walton donated $ 15 million for the construction of a basketball arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, named Bud Walton Arena in his honor. College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri , is home to the James L. "Bud" Walton Chair of Retailing, named in honor of his support. Walton died following surgery for an aneurysm in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 1995, at

1332-573: Was the Army's two-year Early Commissioning Program , an Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program through which qualified students can earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant after two years of college. Wentworth also participated in the Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation Scholarship program beginning in 1971 and continuing through 2016. Among the first class of Falcon Scholars at Wentworth

1369-601: Was the brother of Sam Walton and a Walmart businessman. Walton was born to Thomas Gibson Walton and Nancy "Nannie" Lee Lawrence Walton on December 20, 1921, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma . His father worked as a farm appraiser and mortgage agent. The family moved often because of Thomas Walton's job. When he was two years old, his family moved from Oklahoma to Springfield, Missouri . The Walton family later lived in Marshall , Shelbina , and Columbia, Missouri . As children,

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