Hogs agree to continue in LR with 3 games against Mizzou
It’s official.
Arkansas has signed an agreement to play three more football games in Little Rock over the next five years, it was announced Thursday morning.
• Complete signed agreement here
In a press conference in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium, everybody said the right and proper thing.
“A big part of our mission as a university is to make lives better for Arkansans,” said UA chancellor Joe Steinmetz. “That means a lot of things including recruiting students from every part of our state, providing transformational opportunities, solving problems through research and discovery, and contributing service through collaboration.
“But it also means engaging the entire state. The Arkansas Razorbacks are a tremendous source of pride for the University of Arkansas and the state, and will always be a big part of that engagement. We’re excited to continue the tradition of playing at War Memorial Stadium.”
New athletics director Hunter Yurachek was hit with this problem almost before he found his office back in December and spent a lot of his time talking to as many people as possible around the state.
“Throughout this process, I sought and listened to many passionate Razorbacks from every corner of our state and beyond,” he said. “While those conversations provided varying perspectives, they collectively reaffirmed my belief that this state is unified in our desire to see the Razorback program succeed.”
The new agreement is very specific and requires the state to do certain things in terms of fixing the place up. Included in that will be a new turf, getting team dressing rooms up to SEC standards as well as the stadium infrastructure and internet connectivity among other things.
Of course, all of this is subject to SEC scheduling and the league granting waivers.
Quite frankly, the league could throw a giant monkey wrench in the entire agreement on nearly every factor of it because they control the scheduling.
There’s a lot of work that has got to be done to War Memorial Stadium before the 2019 game and that money is coming from somewhere other than the UA.
That is the way it should be. The agreement also has many things in place, including a guarantee on the number of tickets that have to be sold for each game (47,000). The revenue numbers from that for the UA will have to be a minimum of $2.1 million, $2.3 million and $2.5 million, repsectively.
The stadium will control the concessions and, yes, Coke will be available instead of Pepsi (that will make a lot of fans happy for that simple thing alone).
For the spring game, the UA will pay rent of $75,000 per game. If there is a rent for the game against Missouri, well, it escaped me (and I looked a couple of times fairly closely).
It appears to be a much better financial deal for the UA.
Assuming, of course, the SEC agrees to it all. One has to assume Yurachek got at least a verbal go-ahead from the league before any agreement reached this stage.
But if the state doesn’t get War Memorial up to snuff, then there won’t be any games played there at all.
We’ll see how it plays out.
Complete quotes
UA chancellor Joe Steinmetz:
“A big part of our mission as a university is to make lives better for Arkansans. That means a lot of things including recruiting students from every part of our state, providing transformational opportunities, solving problems through research and discovery, and contributing service through collaboration. But it also means engaging the entire state. The Arkansas Razorbacks are a tremendous source of pride for the University of Arkansas and the state, and will always be a big part of that engagement. We’re excited to continue the tradition of playing at War Memorial Stadium. I’d like to thank Hunter Yurachek for his due diligence throughout the process while also including what is sometimes overlooked in a decision like this – the decades of fond memories and strong emotions so many Razorback fans share related to the Razorbacks playing in Little Rock. I’d also like to thank the many people who provided their input and guidance that led to this decision, and especially Governor Hutchinson, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, the War Memorial Stadium Commission, University of Arkansas System leaders and others who helped to continue the connection between War Memorial Stadium and the Arkansas Razorbacks.”
Razorbacks athletics director Hunter Yurachek:
“For 70 years, University of Arkansas football games at War Memorial Stadium have been a part of our program’s rich history and our state’s heritage. We are pleased that through our partnership with the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, we will be able to continue this Razorback tradition while also ensuring our program is in position to compete successfully in the SEC and nationally. Throughout this process, I sought and listened to many passionate Razorbacks from every corner of our state and beyond. While those conversations provided varying perspectives, they collectively reaffirmed my belief that this state is unified in our desire to see the Razorback program succeed. I am appreciative of the support provided by Chancellor Steinmetz and the leadership of the University of Arkansas as well as the constructive dialogue throughout this process with Governor Hutchinson, Kane Webb and others who worked diligently to make this agreement a reality.”
Kane Webb, Director of Arkansas Parks and Tourism:
“I think this agreement speaks very highly of the University of Arkansas. In an era in which money seems to be the driving force behind every major decision in big-time college athletics – and it doesn’t get any bigger time than SEC football – this wasn’t a money decision. It required an appreciation and understanding of tradition and culture and a willingness to be uniquely Arkansas.”
Kevin Crass, War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman:
“As Chairman of the War Memorial Stadium Commission, I am both excited and grateful that Razorback games will continue in Little Rock. This announcement reflects the continuation of a successful partnership between the U of A and War Memorial that has lasted 70 years. I appreciate the efforts of all who made this happen, especially Governor Hutchinson, Chancellor Joe Steinmetz and Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek.”
REPORT: Hogs to play Missouri, spring game in LR
According to a report at WholeHogSports.com, officials at Arkansas and War Memorial Stadium have reached a compromise solution to the issue of playing games there.
It’s not exactly perfect and will likely be roundly criticized, but likely was the only possible solution.
The Razorbacks will play Missouri in Little Rock in alternating years as part of an agreement that will extend Hogs’ football games in the state’s capital city, two sources familiar with the arrangement told WholeHogSports.com.
In other years, the Hogs will play their annual Red-White spring game at War Memorial, according to the story.
“I can’t confirm anything, but an announcement will be made soon,” UA Chancellor Joe Steinmetz said Wednesday by text message, according to WholeHogSports.com.
A source was quoted as calling the deal a “compromise,” which is likely the case
Arkansas will play Ole Miss in Little Rock on October 13 this season.
The Missouri game was played in Fayetteville last year and is usually played on the Friday following Thanksgiving. That date has always had students out of town and made it difficult at times to get a decent-sized crowd.
The UA and the Department of Parks and Tourism said in a news release later Wednesday an announcement is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday at the stadium.
Steinmetz, athletics director Hunter Yurachek, Director of Parks and Tourism Kane Webb and War Memorial Stadium Commission hairman Kevin Crass are expected to attend.
Slive brought grace, dignity, power to SEC following Kramer
It was SEC Media Days 2014 in Hoover, Ala., when I got the enduring memory of former SEC commissioner Mike Slive.
At the time, no one knew he was going to be announcing his retirement in a few months and he was the 74-year-old commissioner of a league that was introducing a new television network in less than a month in a world he never envisioned decades before.
As I strolled down radio row in the morning for our 8:30 interview, I saw Slive already sitting at my table. I checked the time on the back of a business card his assistant had given me a couple of days before and, yep, I was running about 45 minutes early.
Yet there he sat, at my table casually drinking coffee and reading Southern Jewish Life magazine, which he often had rolled up inside a jacket pocket. A diminutive man, he cast remarkable power and influence in growing the Southeastern Conference into a revenue machine in the world of college sports.
He greeted me, assured me I was not late and apparently the station he was supposed to be on with at 8 a.m. had not bothered to stay around for the final day … or notified him.
“Oh, they probably just decided to get out of town early,” he said.
He said it with absolutely no attitude whatsoever. I’ve known many that would have been downright miffed, at the least.
So we sat and talked while I started setting things up.
“Take your time,” Slive said. “We’ll just chat a bit while you’re setting up.”
The SEC Network was probably the cherry on the topping for Slive’s tenure as commissioner. There was a lot of talk about how the network came about and an overview of the process that had been in the works for a couple of years.
I asked him if he ever thought about it when he took over for Roy Kramer, who pioneered the expansion and growth of the league after he took over in 1990.
“I remember when a school could only be on television a few times a year (in the 1970’s it had gotten to where a team could only be on a national game five times over a three-year period),” Slive said. “So, no, I never really thought a league could support an entire channel, but things change and you have to be willing to accept that.”
Maybe nothing ever defined Slive’s tenure as much as that statement.
He took over from Kramer in 2002 as the internet was starting to blow up. Twitter and Facebook were still unheard of.
He oversaw a time of sweeping change in college athletics and managed a collection of universities as diverse as any league in the country. He did it quietly and, for the most part, staying in the background.
If he ever showed anger, it wasn’t general knowledge. He managed that group of universities with athletic directors with personalities as diverse as their schools with, well for lack of a better word, grace with a firm stance.
Kramer gets the credit for initial expansion, bringing in Arkansas and South Carolina, creating the first conference championship game and shooting the league into a spotlight never seen before.
But it was under Slive that the league turned into a revenue-producing cash machine. He was instrumental in the College Football Playoff and started the push for Power 5 schools to have autonomy in the NCAA.
He had continued in a consulting role after he stepped down in the summer of 2015, but it had strictly been in the background.
Slive passed away Wednesday at the age of 77. He had battled prostate cancer, but had survived that. A cause of death has not been released by the family.
“Mike Slive literally changed the world through his life,” current SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said.
A New York native who was a lawyer, judge and commissioner of the Great Midwest Conference and Conference USA before coming to the SEC.
In his tenure of roughly 14 years, the SEC won 81 national championships in 17 different sports during Slive’s tenure as conference commissioner.
He was considered by some as the most powerful figure in college sports.
During that time the SEC also won seven straight national championships from 2006-12.
“I can’t take any credit for that,” he told me back in 2014. “We’ve had some great coaches in our league that have really done well.”
That was typical Slive.
He had tremendous power and influence across all of college athletics. He was on the college basketball selection committee for a time, was head of the BCS for a time. At one time or another, he was also chairman of the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee, president of the College Commissioners Association and served on the NCAA Management Council.
Yet, you never would have known it.
He will always remain that courtly gentleman sitting at my table on radio row in Hoover, sipping coffee and reading Southern Jewish Life calmly waiting for the next interview.
Hogs head to Georgia with chance to nail down West title
ATHENS, Ga. — With a one-game lead in the SEC West and only three games remaining in the regular season, Arkansas has a chance to win its first division crown since 2011 when it faces Georgia for a three-game series starting on Thursday.
First pitch for game one is set for 6 p.m. and will be televised online on SEC Network+.
Game two will also start at 6 p.m., while the season finale will have a national television audience on the SEC Network and have a first pitch time of 11 a.m.
In its history since joining the SEC, Arkansas has won four Western Division crowns, three under current head coach Dave Van Horn (2004, 2007, 2011).
In each of those years, the Hogs won 40 or more games and 15 or more in SEC play.
The Razorbacks come in to Athens fresh off another series sweep, their fourth of the year, as it won all three against No. 20 Texas A&M last weekend by a combined score of 18-7.
It was the first time since the Aggies joined the league (2013) that the Hogs were able to secure the sweep and they were able to do it by getting strong outings from all three of their starters.
Blaine Knight, Kacey Murphy, and Isaiah Campbell all went five or more innings last week and struck out five or more.
For Knight, the junior tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts, his second outing of 10 or more this year, while Murphy worked a career-long 7.1 innings in game two, lowering his ERA to 2.30, the second lowest in the conference.
Offensively, the Hog lineup continues to be led by redshirt senior Carson Shaddy, who has been on a tear since returning from a hand injury that kept him out for seven games.
Shaddy returned on May 6 at LSU and hasn’t slowed down since. Over his last four games, the Fayetteville native has gone 6-for-14 (.429) with six RBIs and three extra-base hits.
Last week against Texas A&M, he hit a three-run home run that helped toward a 9-3 series-opening victory. The home run was his 10th of the year.
FOLLOW LIVE
Games one and two will be available on SEC Network+ via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com, while the season finale on Saturday will be on the SEC Network in front of a national audience.
Dave Neal (PxP) and Mike Rooney (Analyst) will be on the call for the final game.
As always, Arkansas’ Sportscaster of the Year Phil Elson will call all three games on the radio for the Razorback Sports Network from IMG. The radio broadcasts are also available on the Razorback Gameday app.
IMPORTANT LINKS (ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Thu, May 17 – Arkansas vs. Georgia – 6 p.m. – LIVE STATS | WATCH (SECN+)
Fri, May 18 – Arkansas vs. Georgia – 6 p.m. – LIVE STATS | WATCH (SECN+)
Sat, May 19 – Arkansas vs. Georgia – 11 a.m. – LIVE STATS | WATCH (SEC Network)
PROBABLE STARTERS
THU: ARK RHP Blaine Knight (8-0, 2.87 ERA, 77 SO, 17 BB) vs. UGA RHP Chase Adkins (5-0, 4.46 ERA, 57 SO, 23 BB)
FRI: ARK LHP Kacey Murphy (6-4, 2.30 ERA, 63 SO, 12 BB) vs. UGA RHP Emerson Hancock (6-4, 4.82 ERA, 71 SO, 31 BB)
SAT: ARK TBA vs. UGA LHP Kevin Smith (7-1, 3.25 ERA, 65 SO, 22 BB)
RAZORBACK PRIME 9
• Arkansas heads into the final weekend of the regular season with a chance to lock up its fifth SEC Western Division title in school history, fourth under Dave Van Horn when it takes on Georgia in Athens.
• The Razorbacks are still atop the SEC West at 17-10 in conference play and a series win over the Bulldogs will give the Hogs their best conference record since 2004 (19-11).
• Blaine Knight is currently the only SEC pitcher with an undefeated record and an ERA under 3.00 (7-0, 2.87). In 10 of his 13 starts, Knight has thrown six or more innings and struck out four or more.
• Knight tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts against then-No. 20 Texas A&M last week in what ended up being his longest outing of the season (7.0 innings).
• Jake Reindl has still yet to give up an extra-base hit in SEC play, making 10 appearances and 21.1 innings pitched. In his last 10.2 innings pitched, he has only allowed two unearned runs.
• Redshirt senior Carson Shaddy currently has top-three totals in the SEC in batting average (3rd – .364), slugging (3rd – .674), and on-base percentage (2nd – .459). All are career-bests for the Fayetteville native.
• Last week, Arkansas swept Texas A&M for its fourth series sweep of the SEC season and its most since 1999. The Hogs also did not lose a series inside Baum Stadium and need two more wins to tie the school record for most wins at Baum Stadium in a single season (31 in 2004).
• After throwing a career-high 7.1 scoreless innings last week against Texas A&M, junior lefty pitcher Kacey Murphy lowered his ERA to 2.30, the second-lowest ERA in the SEC to only Florida’s Brady Singer (2.25).
• As a team, Arkansas has hit at least one home run in eight of its last nine games and is 29-10 on the year when hitting a home run.
Incredible finish has Arkansas moving on to NCAA Championships
NORMAN, Okla. — Paced by a 5-under 67 from sophomore William Buhl, 15th-ranked Arkansas rallied and earned a trip to the 2018 NCAA Championship on Wednesday.
The Razorbacks opened the final day of the 2018 NCAA Norman Regional in 10th place but moved up six spots after carding the second-best round of the day with an 8-under 280.
They vaulted up the leaderboard and edged No. 22 Florida State tying for fourth place to move on to the NCAA Championship in Stillwater, Oklahoma, next week.
Arkansas wrapped up the three-day event shooting 288-293-280=861.
Alvaro Ortiz posted a 2-under 69 moving up 13 spots in the final round. He finished as the low man for Arkansas tying for 12th place overall shooting 74-71-69=214 (-2).
Buhl made the biggest jump climbing 25 points into a tie for 18th overall. The sophomore carded rounds of 69-79-67=215 (-1).
Tyson Reeder had his best round of the tournament moving up 11 spots into a tie for 32nd. Reeder finished 3-over shooting 76-72-71=219.
Mason Overstreet and Luis Garza rounded out the Razorback scoring. Overstreet finished tied for 38th with a five-over 72-76-73=221. Garza tied for 49th overall shooting 73-74-77=224.
Arkansas made the turn at 1-under after starting their day on the ninth hole. Ortiz picked up an eagle on No. 3 and went birdie-birdie on the 16th and 17th holes of his round.
Overstreet also carded back-to-back birdies on Nos. 7 and 8. Buhl was solid all day playing the first nine 4-under.
He picked up two more birdies on the front side of the course helping Arkansas move up.
The Razorbacks move on to the NCAA Championships making its 21st appearance as a team.
The program’s best finish is a second-place showing in 2009 and Overstreet advanced to the NCAA Championship as an individual last season playing to a runner-up finish.
Host No. 3 Oklahoma won the event edging No. 29 BYU and No. 27 North Florida by a stroke.
The Sooners finished with an 850 followed by an 851 from the Cougars and the Ospreys. Arkansas tied Auburn and the Tigers also move on.
Team and individual medalist titles will be decided May 25-30 at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The 2018 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships will be broadcast for the fifth consecutive year by Golf Channel with more than 100 news and tournament hours planned again for the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships
Arkansas will host the 2019 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships next spring at The Blessings.
The Lineup
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCORES | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| T12 | Alvaro Ortiz | 74–71–69—214 | -2 |
| T18 | William Buhl | 69–79–67—215 | -1 |
| T33 | Tyson Reeder | 76–72–71—219 | +3 |
| T39 | Mason Overstreet | 72–76–73—221 | +5 |
| T49 | Luis Garza | 73–74–77—224 | +8 |
The Field
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORES | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 3 Oklahoma | 283-284-283=850 | -14 |
| T2. | No. 39 BYU | 295-278-278=851 | -10 |
| No. 27 North Florida | 288-283-280=851 | -13 | |
| T4 | No. 15 Arkansas | 288-293-280=861 | -3 |
| No. 10 Auburn | 288-285-288=861 | -3 | |
| 6. | No. 22 Florida State | 293-284-285=862 | -2 |
| 7 | No. 46 Virginia | 297-281-285=863 | -1 |
| 8 | No. 33 Pepperdine | 295-274-295=864 | E |
| 9 | Nevada | 294-285-288=867 | +3 |
| 10 | San Diego State | 290-290-290=870 | +6 |
| 11 | UMKC | 293-297-291=881 | +17 |
| 12 | Sam Houston State | 310-289-298=888 | +24 |
| 13 | Navy | 323-302-296=921 | +57 |
| 14 | Prairie View A&M | 315-316-312=943 | +79 |
Tusk V next in long line of Razorbacks’ live mascots
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas, home to one of the nation’s longest tenured and most recognizable live mascot programs, is celebrating the recent birth of Tusk V, the next in the line of Arkansas Razorback mascots.
Born Saturday, April 19 at the Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle, Arkansas, Tusk V is the son of the current Arkansas Razorbacks’ live mascot, Tusk IV, a Russian Boar which closely resembles the type of “wild band of razorback hogs,” first described by then Arkansas head football coach Hugo Bezdek in 1909.
The following year, in 1910, University of Arkansas students voted to officially adopt the new nickname changing the mascot from the Cardinals to the Razorbacks.
Tusk V will take over official mascot duties in time for the 2019 Razorback Football season, after his father, Tusk IV, is scheduled to retire.
“It is hard to imagine another collegiate live mascot program that is more ingrained in the fabric of its university and its state than Tusk is at this university and within Arkansas,” athletics director Hunter Yurachek said. “The Razorbacks proudly represent Arkansans throughout the state and the Tusk program is an integral part of carrying on that storied tradition.
“We are grateful to Keith and Julie Stokes and their entire family for their longtime care of our live mascots and for the countless hours they spend in supporting our teams, coaches and student-athletes
“We look forward to Tusk IV’s final year and to 2019, when Tusk V will carry on this legacy for generations of Razorback fans to come.”
Tusk IV and V live on the Stokes Family Farm near Dardanelle, Arkansas.
The work of caring for Tusk IV and V is shared between Keith and his wife Julie, their daughter Abbey, their son Chip and his wife Lori, and their four-year-old son (Keith and Julie’s grandson), Colt.
Tusk IV makes a two-hour trek up to Northwest Arkansas for every Razorback football game as well as select other Razorback athletics events throughout the year.
Beloved by Razorback and opposing team fans of all ages, Tusk is always the center of attention when he makes an appearance at games or other special events.
Through the years, he has traveled the state and throughout the region to appear at various locations including at bowl games, Razorback Clubs and even the Arkansas State Capitol.
Arkansas’ first live mascot, Tusk I was selected in 1997 and served as the Razorback mascot for eight years.
After spending four football seasons at the Little Rock Zoo, Tusk I was moved to the Tyson Foods Farm in Springdale in 2001.
In 2002, Tusk I became the father to Tusk II. Tusk I passed away in 2004 and his son, Tusk II, was moved from the Tyson Farm to the Stokes Family Farm and served as the live mascot from 2005 until 2010.
Tusk III was the brother of Tusk II and both were second-generation Russian boars. Tusk III served for only one football season in 2010.
Tusk IV is the son of Tusk II and took over as the official live mascot during the 2011 football season. He recently completed his seventh season.
In 2008, Razorback Athletics created the Tusk Fund to help provide financial assistance for the maintenance and upkeep of the live mascot program.
Donations to the fund provide Tusk with improvements to his facilities and most of all, create a legacy program for guaranteeing the longevity of the Razorback live mascot program.
Fans interested in supporting the Tusk Fund, can do so by clicking here.
The tradition of a live mascot predates the Tusk lineage, dating back to the 1960s with a series of hogs that have proudly represented Arkansas.
Razorbacks challenged by weather conditions at Norman regional
NORMAN, Okla. — Challenging conditions including a lightening delay pushed Arkansas down the leaderboard in round two of the 2018 NCAA Norman Regional Championship at Jimmie Austin Golf Course on Tuesday.
Players battled winds gusting from 13 miles per hour up to 32 miles per hour throughout the day and were delayed more than an hour near the end of the round after lightening occurred in the area.
The Razorbacks slipped from a tie for second place on Monday into 10th place in second-round action. The top five teams from each of six regional sites move on to the NCAA Championship later this month.
Arkansas is just eight shots back of the cutline with one round remaining.
Senior Alvaro Ortiz shaved three shots off his round one total moving up two spots on the leaderboard. He finished the day 1-under shooting a 71 with three birdies and two bogeys. Ortiz is tied for 26th overall with a 1-over 145 (74-71).
Tyson Reeder also bettered his first-round score shooting an even-par 72. Reeder counted two birdies and two bogeys on Tuesday moving up eight spots to a tie for 43rd overall with one round to play.
Luis Garza, Mason Overstreet and William Buhl combined for seven birdies on the day. Garza is tied for 37th with 147. Overstreet and Buhl are tied with Reeder in 43rd place with a two-round 148.
Host No. 3 Oklahoma remains at the top of the leaderboard and is in the clubhouse with a 9-under 567. The top five teams include No. 33 Pepperdine who led the field with a 14-under round.
The Waves are second with a 569. No. 27 North Florida is third shooting 571. SEC member No. 10 Auburn and No. 39 BYU are tied for fourth with 573.
Van Horn previews finale regular-season series
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn met with the media Tuesday to preview the upcoming Georgia series in a wide-ranging session that covers a variety of topics.
Murphy on settling into role as second-day starter for Hogs
Razorbacks pitcher Kacey Murphy talked with the media about the upcoming weekend series at Georgia and how he’s adapted to the role of the Day 2 starter.
