A QUICK LOOK AT - Arkansas

by Jack Witthaus

The Institution

School Quick Facts

Official Name:

The University of Arkansas

Nickname:

Razorbacks

Location:

Fayetteville, AR

Enrollment:

23,153

Founded:

1871

Mascot:

Big Red

Live Mascot:

Tusk (a Russian Boar)

Fight Song:

"Arkansas Fight"

SEC Division:

West

Nicknamed “The Hill,” the University of Arkansas sits on a perch with an Ozark Mountain vista. The U of A contains 130 buildings with 11 on the National Register of Historic Places.

The university boasts many unique traditions. Its biggest tradition is Senior Walk, a sidewalk etched with each name of the more than 140,000 Razorback graduates.

The history of the U of A also contains many interesting facts. Arkansas allowed the first African American student to enter a major Southern college in 1948 without litigation. Vitamin E was discovered at Arkansas, and Bill Clinton graduated from the university.

Arkansas is one of the newest members of the SEC, moving to the conference in 1991 along with South Carolina.

Arkansas Football

Football Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium

Venue Capacity:

72,000

Venue Surface:

Artificial

First Season:

1894

Overall Record:

676-451-40

Last Season:

11-2 (6-2 SEC, Cotton Bowl winner)

Head Coach:

John L. Smith (0-0)

Football Rivals:

LSU, Missouri

In 1894, Latin teacher John Futrall created the U of A’s first football team. Up until the 1909 season, the school’s mascot was a Cardinal.

Under head coach Hugo Bezdek, the Razorbacks went undefeated in 1909, even beating the tough football program at Washington University in St. Louis. That team pioneered the “no-huddle” offense as it steamrolled opponents.

With its speedy offense, Arkansas, according to Bezdek, played “like a wild band of razorback hogs.” The name stuck.

Before the SEC, the Razorbacks played in the now defunct Southwest Conference. In that conference, the Razorbacks captured its only National Championship in 1964. The Hogs went undefeated, beating Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl Classic.

Frank Broyles coached that team to its National title and is currently the winningest coach in Arkansas football history (144-58-5, 149-62-6 overall). Broyles held the reigns for 18 years, from 1958-1976.

In his only head coaching year outside of Arkansas, Broyles led the Missouri Tigers to a 5-4-1 record in 1957.

Other notable coaches include Lou Holtz and Huston Nutt, who rank No. 3 and No. 2 in wins for the program, respectively.

After Nutt, Bobby Petrino ran the football program since 2008. Petrino quickly rebuilt the football program, capturing 11 victories last season. However, Petrino was fired this spring after a motorcycle accident revealed an extra-marital affair with an employee of the Arkansas Athletic departmenr.

Speaking of splitting time, Arkansas is the only Division I school with two home football fields: Razorback Stadium on campus and War Memorial in Little Rock. The home-game split started in 1948. Since then, Arkansas has tried to move its home games to Razorback Stadium. However, Little Rock investors in the football program threatened to stop supporting the team. Two games are played at War Memorial each year. The contract is set to expire in 2016.

Overall, Arkansas holds 13 conference championships and 45 All-Americans. The Razorbacks are 13-23-3 in Bowl games. In 2008, Mizzou dismantled Arkansas 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl.

Two former Arkansas players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Dan Hampton (2002) and Lance Alworth (1978).

Current NFL players include Ryan Mallet and Darren McFadden.

Mizzou is not scheduled to play Arkansas in football this season.

Arkansas Basketball

Basketball Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Bud Walton Arena

Venue Capacity:

19,368

First Season:

1924

Overall Record:

1537-863

Last Season:

18-12, (7-9 SEC)

Head Coach:

Mike Anderson (18-12, 218-110)

NCAA Final Fours:

6

NCAA Championships:

1 (1994)

Although they haven’t been to the Big Dance since 2008, the Razorbacks have had a successful basketball program since their inception in 1924. In their 88 years, Arkansas has suffered only 19 losing seasons.

Their love for basketball is exemplified in their court. The Bud Walton Arena is the fifth largest on-campus arena in the US. Co-founder of Walmart James “Bud” Walton donated a large sum of money to build the arena.

Nolan Richardson is arguably the greatest Razorback basketball coach in its history. Richardson (1986-2002) guided his teams to a 389-169 record, 13 NCAA tournaments, four Final Four appearances, and a 1994 National Championship over Duke.

Overall, Arkansas has made 29 NCAA Tournament appearances, and has sent scores of players to the NBA.

Currently, Mike Anderson, former Mizzou head basketball coach, runs the program. In his first season, Anderson snapped a two-year losing record streak, compiling 18 wins.

It will be interesting to see how Mizzou basketball fans treat Anderson this season. Many still hold hard feelings toward him since his departure.