Arkansas Boys State inducts Matt Zimmerman and Jeff Wardlaw into Hall of Fame

Zimmerman, a 1983 Arkansas Boys State delegate, and Wardlaw, a 1996 Arkansas Boys State delegate, were inducted on Friday, May 31.

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CONWAY, AR (06/02/2024) Arkansas Boys State is proud to induct two exceptional alumni, Matt Zimmerman and Jeff Wardlaw of the 83-year leadership and civic engagement program into the Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony took place on Friday, May 31, during the closing ceremonies of Arkansas Boys State at the University of Central Arkansas.

Dr. Lloyd Jackson, executive director of Arkansas Boys State, expressed his pride in inducting these exceptional program alumni into the esteemed Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame.

"Matt Zimmerman and Jeff Wardlaw have lived truly remarkable lives, serving as exemplary role models for our delegates and embodying the core values of Arkansas Boys State," Jackson said. "They have consistently represented our program with distinction, leaving a lasting impact on their communities and the state of Arkansas."

The Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame induction ceremony not only recognizes the outstanding achievements of Zimmermam and Wardlaw but also celebrates the transformative power of the Arkansas Boys State program. Through hands-on civic engagement and leadership development, Arkansas Boys State empowers young men to take their skills and knowledge to become the next generation of influential leaders and responsible citizens in the state.

About Matt Zimmerman
Matt Zimmerman, a 1983 Arkansas Boys State delegate, Arkansas native and University of Arkansas graduate, has dedicated much of his professional life to the Razorback men's basketball program. Returning to his alma mater in 2011, Zimmerman spent eight years in various roles, including five years as a member of the coaching staff and three years as the Director of Basketball Operations. In 2020, he transitioned to the Razorback Foundation, continuing his strong association with the university.

Since 2015, Zimmerman has served as a color analyst for the men's basketball program with the Razorback Sports Network. His involvement expanded in 2020 to include assisting with football broadcasts, and in 2021, he became a co-host of the popular Razorback Daily podcast. His contributions to sports media were recognized in 2023 when he was named Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association (NSMA). With 21 years of basketball coaching experience, Zimmerman has coached at both the high school and collegiate levels, including stints at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, the University of Missouri, and the University of Arkansas.

Zimmerman's journey began in the high school ranks, where he served as a head coach at Dardanelle High School and Plainview-Rover High School for seven years. He started his association with the Razorbacks as a manager under Naismith Hall of Fame head coach Nolan Richardson. A 1990 graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in physical education, Zimmerman also completed four years in the ROTC before joining the United States Army. He served five years in the military, achieving the rank of Captain, graduating from Airborne School in 1991, and serving with the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) from 1991-1995. His military roles included Platoon Leader, Shop Officer, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Adjutant.

About Jeff Wardlaw
Jeffrey Reed "Jeff" Wardlaw, a 1996 Arkansas Boys State delegate, is a farmer and Republican politician from Hermitage in Bradley County, Arkansas. Since 2011, he has represented District 8 in the Arkansas House of Representatives, covering parts of Bradley, Drew, and Desha counties. Wardlaw is a graduate of Hermitage High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He is an avid hunter and fisherman and an active member of the Rotary Club.

Wardlaw owns and operates Wardlaw Brothers Farms, Inc., in Hermitage. He has served in various leadership roles, including vice chairman of the bipartisan Freshman Caucus and chairman of the Insurance Subcommittee within the House Insurance and Commerce Committee. Recognized for his contributions to the forestry industry, he received the "Legislator of the Year" award from the Arkansas Forestry Association. Wardlaw is also involved with the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce and the Bradley County Industrial Development Commission. Initially a Democrat, he switched to the Republican Party in November 2016 due to differences on social issues.

Currently serving his seventh term, Wardlaw represents District 94, which includes parts of Bradley, Drew, and Desha counties. For the 94th General Assembly, he is the House Chair for the Arkansas Legislative Council and serves on the House Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee, as well as the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. Outside of politics, Wardlaw works in agriculture and medical sales. He and his wife, Laura "Missy" Wardlaw, reside in Hermitage with their three children and attend the United Methodist Church.

More information about the Arkansas Boys State Hall of Fame is available online at https://arboysstate.org/alumni.

Arkansas Boys State is an immersive program in civics education designed for high school juniors. Since 1940, the week-long summer program has transformed the next generation of leaders throughout the state and beyond. These men have become state, national, and international leaders, including Pres. Bill Clinton, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former White House Chiefs of Staff Mack McLarty and Jack Watson Jr., Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. John Boozman and Arkansas Chief Justice John Dan Kemp. Learn more at arboysstate.org.

During their week at Arkansas Boys State, delegates are assigned a political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, delegates, from the ground up, administer this mock government as if it were real: they run for office, draft and pass legislation, solve municipal challenges, and engage constituents. By the week's end, the delegates have experienced civic responsibility and engagement firsthand while making life-long memories and friends - all with our guiding principle that 'Democracy Depends on Me.'