New faces should lead to changes for Arkansas athletics
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Sports
Usually, when there is a changing of the guard, the new guard institutes a series of changes that will ultimately help define his legacy.
For new Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long, those changes already include the firing of one football coach and the hiring of another.
But Long isn't the only new face on the hill, and chances are good he won't be the only one trying to change things.
There's new head football coach Bobby Petrino, who will undoubtedly try to lead the Razorback program to places it has never been.
Then, of course, there will be the new chancellor, the man who replaces John A. White. He, like his predecessors, will strive to make his own unique imprint upon the university.
With a new athletic director, new football coach and new chancellor, it seems as though it is finally time to address an issue that has irritated many a fan over the last few years: Little Rock.
It's time for the new leaders of the athletic department to evaluate the viability of continuing to play two Razorback football games every season at War Memorial Stadium.
It would take only a quick look to see that playing two games in Little Rock is hardly viable.
No other team in the Southeastern Conference plays home games at two different sites regularly.
Why? Because it doesn't make sense.
Why anyone would think it is a good idea to play home games outside of the fantastic Reynolds Razorback Stadium is beyond comprehension. It's one of the top facilities in not only the SEC, but in the entire NCAA.
Razorback Stadium seats 72,000 screaming Hog fans for every home game. It has a state-of-the-art jumbotron and scoreboard. It has luxury boxes and any other amenity one could possibly want.
War Memorial Stadium just doesn't stack up.
Don't get me wrong, War Memorial was a good stadium - when it was built.
But now, it's nothing but a run-down, rinky-dink stadium. It seats only 53,727 - nearly 20,000 less than RRS. It doesn't have all the amenities that RRS has - in fact, it really doesn't have any amenities.
For new Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long, those changes already include the firing of one football coach and the hiring of another.
But Long isn't the only new face on the hill, and chances are good he won't be the only one trying to change things.
There's new head football coach Bobby Petrino, who will undoubtedly try to lead the Razorback program to places it has never been.
Then, of course, there will be the new chancellor, the man who replaces John A. White. He, like his predecessors, will strive to make his own unique imprint upon the university.
With a new athletic director, new football coach and new chancellor, it seems as though it is finally time to address an issue that has irritated many a fan over the last few years: Little Rock.
It's time for the new leaders of the athletic department to evaluate the viability of continuing to play two Razorback football games every season at War Memorial Stadium.
It would take only a quick look to see that playing two games in Little Rock is hardly viable.
No other team in the Southeastern Conference plays home games at two different sites regularly.
Why? Because it doesn't make sense.
Why anyone would think it is a good idea to play home games outside of the fantastic Reynolds Razorback Stadium is beyond comprehension. It's one of the top facilities in not only the SEC, but in the entire NCAA.
Razorback Stadium seats 72,000 screaming Hog fans for every home game. It has a state-of-the-art jumbotron and scoreboard. It has luxury boxes and any other amenity one could possibly want.
War Memorial Stadium just doesn't stack up.
Don't get me wrong, War Memorial was a good stadium - when it was built.
But now, it's nothing but a run-down, rinky-dink stadium. It seats only 53,727 - nearly 20,000 less than RRS. It doesn't have all the amenities that RRS has - in fact, it really doesn't have any amenities.
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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