CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas athletic department has teamed up with SIDEARM Sports to unveil an enhanced home on the web for the Bears & Sugar Bears with the launching of the all-new UCASports.com.

Undergoing its first major redesign since its inception in 2004, UCASports.com has been reinvented to reflect UCA’s rebranding efforts in conjunction with the program’s move to NCAA Division I and to better utilize popular social mediums to improve fans’ online experience.

The site will feature increased video capabilities, a centralized location for live audio and video streaming and enhanced live stats via the SIDEARM Stats software. Fans will also have easy access to the athletic department’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogger pages along with RSS feeds bundled together in the Fan Zone that is featured prominently throughout the site.

Another major improvement is the implementation of an expansive online store, giving fans access to more than 700 items. Online auctions and a photo store are also in the works.

“Our media relations and marketing staffs are to be applauded for their vision and hard work on this project,” said UCA Director of Athletics Dr. Brad Teague. “As we have found, web conversions are very complicated and time-consuming. We’re very appreciative of our team and their commitment to this project.

“Our new site will enable us to provide our fans with a better experience online with the variety of features available and the user-friendly organization,” Teague said. “With the online store, social media options, enhanced live stats and more, we feel that our website now falls more in line with our mission as a growing Division I program. We are excited about the possibilities moving ahead, and look forward to developing the site and continuing to explore new avenues to best serve our fans.”

SIDEARM Sports, based out of Syracuse, N.Y., has a client list that includes nearly 500 athletic clients from around the country from all NCAA divisions, NAIA, NJCAA and other collegiate conferences.

UCA is one of four Southland Conference schools to join the SIDEARM family, joining Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana and Texas State.

The Computer Works of Conway will continue to provide audio and video streaming services, which will be hosted at UCAGameday.com.