Spring Break
New faces should lead to changes for Arkansas athletics
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Sports
Now, there are Arkansas fans who will argue that the Razorbacks are a statewide phenomenon, and, well, they are.
But by no means does that translate into playing games in the capital city.
This is the UA-Fayetteville.
The campus is in Fayetteville.
The stadium is in Fayetteville.
The games should be played where the stadium and campus are located. It's very simple and straightforward.
It's so simple that it makes one wonder why this hasn't always been the case.
One word - money.
The university and athletic department's search for the almighty dollar led to games being played in Little Rock, and it's what keeps them there now.
Many Razorback donors and alumni don't actually live in Fayetteville, of course, and there are plenty that live in the middle of the state.
Naturally, there are those who think it makes sense to move two games a season to Little Rock in order to appease the donors and alumni.
But those who are in that frame of mind are forgetting something.
Well, several thousand somethings, really.
The STUDENTS.
These are the UA Razorbacks, not the "Big Time Donor" Razorbacks.
The Razorbacks, first and foremost, represent the university and its student body. They do not represent only those who donate big bucks to the university.
Over the last several years, this idea has been lost. The students have been pushed aside in favor of the greenbacks, and too much power has been given those who donate the most.
In this new era of Razorback athletics, it's time for some changes.
A new athletic director is in place. So is a new football coach. Soon, a new chancellor will join them.
Each of them will want to define their Razorback legacy and shape their role in what former athletic director Frank Broyles so eloquently calls the "Razorback Miracle."
By keeping every home game in Fayetteville, those new members of the Razorback family will certainly be off to a favorable start, at least in the eyes of the students.
And that should be of utmost importance.
After all, without the students, there would be no Razorbacks.
Bart Pohlman is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Friday.
But by no means does that translate into playing games in the capital city.
This is the UA-Fayetteville.
The campus is in Fayetteville.
The stadium is in Fayetteville.
The games should be played where the stadium and campus are located. It's very simple and straightforward.
It's so simple that it makes one wonder why this hasn't always been the case.
One word - money.
The university and athletic department's search for the almighty dollar led to games being played in Little Rock, and it's what keeps them there now.
Many Razorback donors and alumni don't actually live in Fayetteville, of course, and there are plenty that live in the middle of the state.
Naturally, there are those who think it makes sense to move two games a season to Little Rock in order to appease the donors and alumni.
But those who are in that frame of mind are forgetting something.
Well, several thousand somethings, really.
The STUDENTS.
These are the UA Razorbacks, not the "Big Time Donor" Razorbacks.
The Razorbacks, first and foremost, represent the university and its student body. They do not represent only those who donate big bucks to the university.
Over the last several years, this idea has been lost. The students have been pushed aside in favor of the greenbacks, and too much power has been given those who donate the most.
In this new era of Razorback athletics, it's time for some changes.
A new athletic director is in place. So is a new football coach. Soon, a new chancellor will join them.
Each of them will want to define their Razorback legacy and shape their role in what former athletic director Frank Broyles so eloquently calls the "Razorback Miracle."
By keeping every home game in Fayetteville, those new members of the Razorback family will certainly be off to a favorable start, at least in the eyes of the students.
And that should be of utmost importance.
After all, without the students, there would be no Razorbacks.
Bart Pohlman is the assistant sports editor for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Friday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
brittbarnes
posted 1/18/08 @ 8:13 AM CST
Nice article, there's just a few things that are overlooked in them. You might be looking at a student's point of view that is originally from fayetteville but there are a lot of student from all over the state. (Continued…)
Rudy
posted 1/19/08 @ 12:16 PM CST
People just dont understand the atmosphere in War memorial stadium, not to mention the only team to beat us in little rock was LSU, and we all know how good they are. (Continued…)
Doyle
posted 1/20/08 @ 3:46 PM CST
WMS is a awesome atmosphere for football!Yes RRS is nice,but the atmosphere is not the same.The UofA has sold out to corporate venues and it really hurts the atmosphere at RRS. (Continued…)
SM
posted 1/22/08 @ 12:15 PM CST
In 1995, The Green Bay Packers had to have been a little anxious about not playing in Milwaukee 4 games per year and bringing all home games, well, home. (Continued…)
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