Spring Break
Arkansas to play at War Memorial through 2016
UA Media Relations
Issue date: 8/25/08 Section: Sports
LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas and the War Memorial Stadium Commission have announced a two-year extension of their existing agreement for the Razorbacks to play football games at War Memorial Stadium.
Under the terms of the extension, the Razorbacks will play two games each year at War Memorial Stadium through 2016, including at least one Southeastern Conference game each season. The other provisions of the original agreement remain in place.
War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman Gary Smith of Little Rock approached UA Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long on the possibilities of a contract extension.
"In considering the current national trends in home game scheduling and the desire to have the Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium in the future, the Commission worked together with the University to accommodate a two-game schedule while extending the overall agreement," War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman Gary Smith said.
Smith added, "With the new contract, we've taken care of the next nine seasons and we're in a much better position to continue renovating and enhancing War Memorial Stadium."
"We are pleased that the long-standing tradition of Razorback football at War Memorial Stadium will continue in the years to come thanks to a contract extension through 2016," Long said. "As an athletic program, we are extremely fortunate to have two venues that provide a tremendous home-field advantage for our coaches and student-athletes. We are excited about the future of Razorback football and appreciate the loyal and passionate support of Razorback fans throughout the state."
War Memorial Stadium is celebrating its 60th anniversary this fall and is re-dedicating the stadium to Arkansans who have served or are serving our country. Sturgis Veterans Plaza is nearing completion at the entrance to the stadium at Fair Park and Stadium Drive. The plaza will feature a patriotic, 25-foot-tall Stars and Stripes sculpture.
War Memorial Stadium has undergone over $8 million in renovations and additions over the past five years. They include the remodeling of its concourse, repairing structural problems of the old façade, adding new concession stands (many with video screens), adding a new artificial turf, adding two video screen scoreboards, the mid-field placement of the stadium's new logo, new lights and poles, sandblasting and repainting the stadium's exterior, painting the seats in patriotic colors, and remodeling the visitor's dressing room. Today's stadium has a capacity of 53,727.
Under the terms of the extension, the Razorbacks will play two games each year at War Memorial Stadium through 2016, including at least one Southeastern Conference game each season. The other provisions of the original agreement remain in place.
War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman Gary Smith of Little Rock approached UA Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long on the possibilities of a contract extension.
"In considering the current national trends in home game scheduling and the desire to have the Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium in the future, the Commission worked together with the University to accommodate a two-game schedule while extending the overall agreement," War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman Gary Smith said.
Smith added, "With the new contract, we've taken care of the next nine seasons and we're in a much better position to continue renovating and enhancing War Memorial Stadium."
"We are pleased that the long-standing tradition of Razorback football at War Memorial Stadium will continue in the years to come thanks to a contract extension through 2016," Long said. "As an athletic program, we are extremely fortunate to have two venues that provide a tremendous home-field advantage for our coaches and student-athletes. We are excited about the future of Razorback football and appreciate the loyal and passionate support of Razorback fans throughout the state."
War Memorial Stadium is celebrating its 60th anniversary this fall and is re-dedicating the stadium to Arkansans who have served or are serving our country. Sturgis Veterans Plaza is nearing completion at the entrance to the stadium at Fair Park and Stadium Drive. The plaza will feature a patriotic, 25-foot-tall Stars and Stripes sculpture.
War Memorial Stadium has undergone over $8 million in renovations and additions over the past five years. They include the remodeling of its concourse, repairing structural problems of the old façade, adding new concession stands (many with video screens), adding a new artificial turf, adding two video screen scoreboards, the mid-field placement of the stadium's new logo, new lights and poles, sandblasting and repainting the stadium's exterior, painting the seats in patriotic colors, and remodeling the visitor's dressing room. Today's stadium has a capacity of 53,727.
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