The UCA football program has a long-standing tradition of being active in the local community. In recent years, Bears players and coaches have participated in numerous charitable functions benefiting schools, shelters, churches, etc. along with lending a hand for an episode of Extreme Home Makeover in south Arkansas, and tornado clean-up efforts. UCA also helps raise money for the Arkansas Rice Depot annually through its football game with McNeese State in the Red Beans & Rice Bowl.
The cause dearest to the Bears, however, is Arkansas Children's Hospital. For years, the Bears have
visited the hospital on Fridays prior to home games — an experience typically just as, if not more, enjoyable for the Bears as the kids they are visiting. The football program has also recently started making trips on Fridays of home game weekends to Ellen Smith Elementary for reading and recess with the kids.
