Arkansas Razorbacks

The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams (men or women) at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the pig of the same name. The University of Arkansas student body voted to change the name of the school mascot (originally the Cardinals) in 1910 to the Arkansas Razorbacks after a hard fought battle against LSU in which they were said to play like a bunch of Razorback hogs. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the only major sports team in the US with a porcine nickname, though the Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas play in Division II.

The University of Arkansas currently fields 19 total varsity teams (eight men's and 11 women's) in 13 sports. The seven men's varsity sports includes baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, track and field; the 11 women's varsity sports includes basketball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, soccer, indoor track, swimming and diving, outdoor track, tennis, softball and volleyball. The Arkansas Razorbacks compete in the NCAA's Division I (I FBS in football) and is currently a member of the Southeastern Conference (Western Division).

Football


On December 4, 2012, the University of Arkansas named Bret Bielema the football team's new head coach. The position was previously held by John L. Smith, who served as the interim coach while UofA found a replacement for Bobby Petrino after Petrino was released from his duties with cause on April 10, 2012. Petrino followed the ten season tenure of Houston Nutt. The team plays its home games either at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, located on the University of Arkansas campus, or at War Memorial Stadium, located in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1964, the Razorbacks were the only team to go through the regular season and a bowl game undefeated, and they were awarded the Football Writers Association of America National Championship. The 1969 team, led by legendary quarterback Bill Montgomery, challenged the Texas Longhorns for a national championship in the Game of the Century.

Basketball
The basketball team plays its home games in Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. One of the top 10 NCAA programs of all time, the Razorbacks were ushered in to the modern era on the shoulders of Coach Eddie Sutton (800 game winner). Under the leadership of Nolan Richardson, the Razorbacks won the NCAA tournament in 1994 defeating Duke University, and appeared in the championship game the following year, but were beaten by UCLA. The Razorbacks have been to NCAA Final Four in 1941, 1945, 1978, 1990, 1994 and 1995, though the first two were achieved before the NCAA gathered the final four teams in one site.

The current head coach for the men's basketball team is Mike Anderson. The former assistant under Nolan Richardson has returned to Arkansas. On 26 March 2007, Stan Heath was fired as the head coach of the men's basketball team. John Pelphrey ultimately replaced Heath and made the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, but did not make any subsequent postseason appearances and was fired after the 2010-11 season. Pelphrey compiled a 69–59 overall record and 25–39 SEC conference record while at Arkansas. Mike Anderson was announced as the new men's Basketball head coach on March 23, 2011.

Baseball


The baseball team, led by former Texan Dave Van Horn reached the 2012 College World Series compiling a 2-0 record in Omaha before falling in consecutive games to two time defending national champion South Carolina in the championship of Bracket Two. South Carolina was defeated in the National Championship Series by Arizona.

The Razorbacks also reached the 2009 College World Series, joining previous appearances in Omaha in 2004, 1979 (finished runner-up); 1985; 1987 and 1989. The team plays home games in Baum Stadium, which finished several major renovations in 2004 and 2009.

Many Razorbacks players have gone on to the majors, perhaps the most successful is Cliff Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award Winner, with the most recent being Dallas Kuechel of the Houston Astros.

Track and Field
The track and field team was under the direction of legendary John McDonnell for over 25 years (since the 1977–78 academic year). McDonnell's men's teams have won 40 NCAA championships since 1984, including 11 cross country, 19 indoor track and 10 outdoor track along with 37 Southwest Conference Championships, and 38 of 40 SEC titles. The Razorbacks, under his direction, won five National Triple Crowns, achieved by winning NCAA titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track in the same school year. Arkansas and the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) are the only teams to have ever won the National Triple Crown. The track and field Razorbacks men completely dominated the sport during the 1990s, winning 24 of the 30 available titles.

Golf
The Razorbacks golf teams are based at The Blessings golf course in Fayetteville. From the back tees of the course, the rating is 79.1 and its slope is 153, making it one of the most difficult golf courses in the U.S.

Rugby
Founded in 1971, the University of Arkansas Rugby Club is the longest tenured sports club on campus. Arkansas plays college rugby in the Division 1 Heart of America conference, a conference composed mostly of Big 12 and SEC teams.The team plays at Walker Park, just south of the Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. Arkansas rugby is led by head coach Warren Fyfe.

Arkansas has consistently been one of the best teams in the Heart of America conference, winning the conference title in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, and finishing second in 2011-12. Arkansas defeated Kansas 28-12 to reach the finals of the 2012 Heart of America 7s tournament, where they lost to Lindenwood.

Rivalries
Historically, Arkansas' most heated rivalry was with the Longhorns of the University of Texas. However, the rivalry has become much less intense since the two teams joined different conferences in the early 1990s and now meet up infrequently. Texas leads the series in football and baseball, while Arkansas holds the series lead in basketball and track & field.

Another rival from the state of Texas is Texas A&M. During their Southwest Conference rivalry days, the two teams played annually in all sports. In 2009, the rivalry resumed again on an annual basis, being played each year at Cowboys Stadium. (see Arkansas–Texas A&M rivalry) The rivalry in all other sports resumed in the fall of 2012 atfer A&M joined the SEC.

Since joining the Southeastern Conference the Razorbacks have developed a rivalry with Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers) in football. The game between these two teams usually takes place near the end of the season and has sometimes decided the SEC Western Division Championship. The winner of this game takes home the "Golden Boot" which is a gold trophy in the shape of the two states. Arkansas took the Golden Boot home in 2007 with a 50–48 win over the #1 ranked Tigers in Baton Rouge. This was their first time winning the trophy since 2002. Arkansas and LSU have also built a rivalry in baseball, as the two schools have been at the top of the NCAA attendance standings for the past several seasons. In 2001, despite coming into the series in last place in the SEC West, Arkansas swept a three-game series from top-ranked LSU, which won the 2000 College World Series, in Fayetteville.

In basketball, the primary rival for the Razorbacks has been the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky. This rivalry developed during the coaching tenures of Rick Pitino at Kentucky and Nolan Richardson at Arkansas when both teams were competing for a national championship on an annual basis. The two schools also participate in a blood drive during the week of the UA-UK basketball game, with a trophy going to the school that gives the most blood.

Inside the state of Arkansas, the University of Arkansas has contiuned to maintain the policy of not competing against other in-state Division I schools There are now four other Division I schools in the state of Arkansas: Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. ASU is the only school of the three to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision; UALR does not have football, while UAPB and UCA compete in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.

History
After classes were first held at the university, a contest was held on campus to select school colors. Cardinal (a shade of deep red) was selected over heliotrope, a shade of moderate purple. The first Arkansas football team was formed that same year and was known as the "Arkansas Cardinals". Sometime around the year 2000, the color black began making its way onto Razorback merchandise and eventually some team uniforms. Indeed, for some time, the Collegiate Licensing Company (responsible for all UA licensed gear) touted the university's colors as red and black instead of cardinal red and white. While this has been corrected, many manufacturers of UA related merchandise still make product according to the red and black color scheme.

In 1909 the football team finished a 7–0 season allowing only 18 points on defense and scoring 186 points on offense. College Football Hall of Fame coach Hugo Bezdek proclaimed his team played "like a wild band of razorback hogs". The name proved so popular that it was changed for the 1910 season. The tradition of calling the hogs, “Woo, Pig! Sooie” was added in the 1920s.

In 1957 Frank Broyles was hired as head football coach and served in that position for 19 years. Broyles team was awarded the 1964 National Championship by the Football Writers Association of America and the Helms Athletic Foundation. At the time, The AP and UPI awarded the designation before bowl games, and gave the award to Alabama. However, Alabama lost their bowl game to Texas, while Arkansas won their bowl game against Nebraska. The FWAA and HAF awarded their National Championship designations to Arkansas, who was the only team to go undefeated through bowl games that year. Both the University of Arkansas and the University of Alabama claim National Championships for the year 1964. However, by the standards of today and by the standards adopted by the Associated Press for the 1965 season (when they adopted awarding the award after bowl games), the University of Arkansas would be recognized as National Champions.

In 1969 Broyles team was ranked #2 and played the #1 Texas Longhorns, coached by Darrell Royal, at Fayetteville. The game, known as "The Big Shootout" is perhaps the most notable football game in Razorback history. President Richard Nixon was even in attendance. The Razorbacks led 14–0 until the 4th quarter. Texas scored 15 unanswered points and won the National Championship 15–14.

After Broyles left coaching and became Athletic Director he hired Lou Holtz to take his former position. Holtz served as head football coach from 1977 through the 1983 season. Under Holtz the Razorbacks lost a National Championship in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama and beat the Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl ending their National Championship hopes.

The basketball team rose to prominence in the 1970s under the coaching of Eddie Sutton and with future NBA star Sidney Moncrief along with Marvin Delph and Ron Brewer, three similarly-sized Arkansas bred guards, known as "The Triplets." The team made a Final Four appearance under Sutton, finishing 3rd by defeating Notre Dame on a last second shot in the now defunct consolation game.

In the 1980s the football team was coached by Ken Hatfield and established itself as a powerful running team. The Razorbacks challenged for the SWC title each year and went to the Cotton Bowl Classic twice. Hatfield's teams established excellent regular season records, but had difficulty winning bowl games.

In 1990 Broyles led the Razorbacks out of the Southwest Conference and into the Southeastern Conference, setting off a major realignment in college football. In 1995 Arkansas won its first SEC Western Division Title in football.

In 1994 Nolan Richardson's basketball Hogs won the NCAA Tournament. Richardson's basketball teams challenged for the SEC and National Championships regularly during the 1990s, making three trips to the Final Four and two trips to the championship game while compiling a record of 389–169 (.697) in his 17 years as the head coach.

On 10 December 1997, Houston Nutt was hired as head football coach for the Razorbacks (1998 season was his first full season) to replace his predecessor, Danny Ford, who had been head coach since 1993. Highly sought after as a Little Rock Central quarterback, Nutt had been the last recruit to sign under Broyles, but transferred to Oklahoma State once he did not fit Holtz's offensive plans.

Soon after Houston Dale Nutt's timely departure, Razorback fans rejoiced as Atlanta Falcons Coach Bobby Petrino called the Hogs. Petrino quickly rebuilt the depleted Razorback football program into a top ranked nationally relevant program leading them to a BCS game in 2010 and the school's third 11 win season with a top five season ranking in the 2011 season. Petrino was subsequently fired as details of an affair with a member of his staff and Petrino's attempts to cover up this relationship surfaced. AD Jeff Long introduced John L. Smith as the interim coach for the 2012 season in late April.

Smith entered the season as the steward of a pre-season top ten squad with multiple pre-season Heisman hopefuls. He recorded the school's first loss to a Sunbelt team in the program's 100 year history as Louisiana Monroe pulled the upset in Little Rock. In only his second game he had managed the second largest drop from the AP ranking narrowly missing the number one spot held by Michigan after losing the season opener to Appalachian State just threes years before.

On December 4, 2012, the school named former University of Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema as head coach for the 2013 season.

Mascots


The live mascot for the University of Arkansas is named Tusk. He is a Russian boar that closely resembles a wild razorback hog and weighs in at approximately 400 pounds. Tusk attends all home Razorback football games, as well as various other events.

There are a number of costumed mascots for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks that attend most major sporting events. Big Red (aka the "Fighting Razorback") is the traditional mascot for the University and represents the intimidating fighting spirit of the Razorbacks at all athletic events. Sue E., is the female hog and is famous for her costume changes and dancing ability. Pork Chop is the "kid" mascot. Boss Hog, a nine-foot inflatable mascot, joined the mascot family during the 1998–99 football season.

The Razorback was officially adopted as the University's mascot in 1909 after Hugo Bezdek, the coach at the time, stated after a big win that his team played like a "wild band of razorback hogs". Subsequently, the razorback became the mascot for the entire university, replacing the cardinals as the official mascot. The only current athletic logo for the University is the classic or running hog as has been depicted on the program's football helmets. The university has ceased manufacture of memorabilia with any of the other logos in an attempt to re-brand the athletic department.

National championships

 * NCAA Men's Division I Football Championship: 1964
 * Basketball: 1994 (first runner-up 1995)
 * Men's Indoor Track: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006
 * Men's Outdoor Track: 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003
 * Men's Cross-Country: 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000

Football

 * Joe Adams - plays for for the Carolina Panthers.
 * Fred Akers – former head coach at University of Texas.
 * Lance Alworth – played for San Diego Chargers. Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame member.
 * Gary Anderson – USFL and NFL running back.
 * Shawn Andrews – plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.
 * Steve Atwater – played for Denver Broncos. Won two Super Bowls and elected to eight Pro Bowls.
 * Jim Benton – played for the Cleveland Rams, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams in the '30s and '40s. Member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team.
 * John Bond – offensive coordinator for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team.
 * William "Bud" Brooks – All American and winner of the Outland Trophy for the nation's best interior lineman in 1954.
 * Frank Broyles – played football at Georgia Tech for Coach Bobby Dodd, but as coach found success throughout the 1960s. Under Broyles, Arkansas claimed the 1964 National Championship. After retiring from coaching in 1976, has been well known as the Arkansas men's athletic director (1974–2007) and a broadcaster for ABC Sports. Member, College Football Hall of Fame.
 * Fred Childress – six-time all star offensive lineman in the CFL.
 * Greg Childs - plays for the Minnesota Vikings.
 * Butch Davis – NFL and college head coach.
 * Joe Ferguson – played for Buffalo Bills.
 * Barry Foster – played for Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Ken Hamlin – starts for the Dallas Cowboys.
 * Dan Hampton – played for Chicago Bears. Pro Football Hall of Fame member.
 * Dave Hanner – member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
 * Ken Hatfield – member of the 1964 National Championship team at Arkansas He went on to be the head football coach at the Air Force Academy, the University of Arkansas, Clemson University, and Rice University.
 * Wayne Harris – member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
 * Madre Hill – played for the Cleveland Browns, Berlin Thunder (NFL Europe), San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders and in Super Bowl XXXVII. Considered one of the greatest running backs to come out of the University of Arkansas.
 * Red Hickey – NFL player and head coach; credited with creating the shotgun formation.
 * Peyton Hillis – starting tailback for the Cleveland Browns, Madden 12 cover boy.
 * Jim Lee Howell – NFL player and head coach.
 * John Jenkins – head coach for University of Houston and in the Canadian Football League.
 * Jimmy Johnson – member of the 1964 National Championship team at Arkansas. He went on to be the head football coach at Oklahoma State University, the University of Miami, Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins.
 * Felix Jones – 2008 first round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys.
 * Jerry Jones – member of the 1964 National Championship team at Arkansas. He is the owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
 * Matt Jones – first-round draft selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones also played for the Razorbacks in basketball.
 * Kenoy Kennedy – starts for the Detroit Lions.
 * Steve Little – one of top college kicker/punter combos, kicking an NCAA record 67-yard field goal in 1977. Played for St. Louis Cardinals.
 * Jonathan Luigs – All American and 2006 winner of the 2006 Dave Rimington Trophy given to the outstanding center in the U.S.
 * Ryan Mallett - plays for the New England Patriots.
 * Darren McFadden – winner of 2006 and 2007 Doak Walker Award, 2006 and 2007 Heisman Trophy runner-up and winner of the 2008 Walter Camp college football player of the year award. 2008 first round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders.
 * Marcus Monk - played for the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, and Carolina Panthers.
 * Bill Montgomery- member of the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor and QB during the 1969 Big Shootout.
 * Jason Peters – Offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles.
 * Loyd Phillips – member of the College Football Hall of Fame and 1966 winner of the Outland Trophy for the best interior linemen in the country.
 * Billy Ray Smith, Jr. – first round draft selection in 1983 draft; played for the San Diego Chargers, 1983–1992. Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame.
 * Billy Ray Smith Sr. – longtime NFL defensive lineman
 * Pat Summerall – played ten years in the NFL, primarily as a kicker; best known as a broadcaster, gaining prominence with his partner John Madden.
 * Van Stumon - plays for the St. Louis Rams.
 * Barry Switzer – member of the 1964 National Championship team at Arkansas He went on to be the head football coach at the University of Oklahoma and for the Dallas Cowboys.
 * Boo Williams – Receiver for the New Orleans Saints 2000–06
 * Dennis Winston – defensive lineman for the Pittsburg Steelers and New Orleans Saints.
 * Jarius Wright - plays for the Minnesota Vikings.

Basketball

 * John Adams – 1941 All-American and one of several individuals credited with inventing the jump shot.
 * Corey Beck - member of the 1994 National Champtionship team, and played for four seasons in the NBA most notably with the Charlotte Hornets
 * Ron Brewer – drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in the 1st round (7th pick) of the 1978 NBA draft. Played 8 years in the league for six teams.
 * Ronnie Brewer – son of Ron Brewer. 1st round NBA draft choice of the Utah Jazz in 2006.
 * Gordon Carpenter – gold medalist at 1948 Summer Olympics.
 * Todd Day – played for five NBA teams, most notably Milwaukee Bucks.
 * Marvin Delph – one of the "triplets" was drafted but never played in the NBA choosing to play for Athletes in Action, a Christian ministry.
 * Scott Hastings – long-time NBA center.
 * Joe Johnson – drafted by the Boston Celtics 10th overall in 2001. Traded to the Phoenix Suns. Played for the Atlanta Hawks, and now a member of the Brooklyn Nets.
 * Joe Kleine – played 15 years in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls and five other teams. Was a gold medalist on the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team.
 * George Kok – dominant big man of the 1940s
 * Lee Mayberry – played seven years in the NBA for both the Milwaukee Bucks and Vancouver Grizzlies.
 * Oliver Miller – played for six NBA teams, ending his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2004.
 * Sidney Moncrief – played for Milwaukee Bucks. Two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
 * Jannero Pargo – guard for the New Orleans Hornets.
 * R.C. Pitts – gold medalist at 1948 Summer Olympics.
 * Ike Poole – 1936 Consensus All-American
 * Ulysses (U.S.) Reed – hit the half-court buzzer beating shot to sink defending champion Louisville during the 1981 NCAA Tournament.
 * Kareem Reid - played for the Harlem Globetrotters.
 * Alvin Robertson – played for San Antonio Spurs. Was a gold medalist on the 1984 men's U.S. Olympic basketball team. Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player in 1986.
 * Scotty Thurman – key to the 1994 NCAA Championship team and known as the player that hit "The Shot", a 3-point basket with approximately 53 seconds left, in the 1994 Championship game versus Duke University.
 * Darrell Walker – played for several NBA teams including the champion Chicago Bulls. Formerly head coach for Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.
 * Sonny Weems – winner of the NCAA slam dunk competition and 2008 NBA draft pick (second round-39th overall) of the Chicago Bulls and then traded to the Denver Nuggets.
 * Corliss Williamson aka "Big Nasty" – played for Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons (with whom he won the NBA title in 2004), and Philadelphia 76ers. Returned to Sacramento in 2005. Named 2001–2002 NBA Sixth Man of the Year. He led the Hogs to 1994 NCAA Championship, where he was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament.

Baseball

 * Eric Hinske – 2002 American League Rookie of the Year, currently an Atlanta Brave
 * Jeff King – played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals
 * Cliff Lee – played for the Texas Rangers, 2008 American League Cy Young Award Winner. Now plays for the Phillies again after signing a 5 yr deal on December 15, 2010.
 * Tim Lollar – won 47 Major League games pitching for 4 teams over 7 seasons
 * Kevin McReynolds – played for New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, and San Diego Padres
 * Mel McGaha – former Major League manager; also played in NBA
 * Tom Pagnozzi – played for St. Louis Cardinals
 * Johnny Ray – 10 year Major League second baseman with Pittsburgh Pirates and Anaheim Angels

Golf

 * Miller Barber – top PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour player
 * John Daly – winner of two professional major championships
 * Brenden Pappas – Nationwide Tour winner
 * Deane Pappas – has won on Nationwide Tour and Sunshine Tour
 * Tag Ridings – Nationwide Tour winner
 * R. H. Sikes – won 1963 NCAA individual title, two PGA Tour events
 * Stacy Lewis – LPGA Tour golfer, won 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship

Track & field

 * Niall Bruton – Two-time winner of NCAA indoor mile, Irish Olympian.
 * Mike Conley – Olympic silver medalist in 1984 and gold medalist in 1992 in the triple jump. Member, USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.
 * Alistair Cragg – Top Irish distance runner.
 * Calvin Davis – Won bronze medal in 400 meter hurdles at 1996 Summer Olympics.
 * Joe Falcon – US's top miler in 1990.
 * Edrick Floreal – Canadian Olympic triple jumper, head coach at Stanford.
 * Tyson Gay – Won 100 and 200 meter sprints at 2007 World Championships.
 * Matt Hemingway – Silver medalist in high jump in 2004 Olympic Games.
 * Robert Howard – Two-time Olympic participant. Won nine NCAA titles in triple and long jumps.
 * Seneca Lassiter – Among top American milers, winning USATF 1500-meter run twice.
 * Daniel Lincoln – US Olympian and American record holder in the steeplechase.
 * Frank O'Mara – Two-time 3000 meter indoor world champion.
 * Niall O'Shaughnessy – 1976 Summer Olympian; holds the school record in the mile, which is Arkansas’ oldest school record in any event.
 * Brandon Rock – 800 meter runner; 1996 Summer Olympics, 1995 USATF National Champion, 1995 NCAA Outdoor Championship.
 * Jérôme Romain – Top triple jumper who represented Dominica and France, winning the bronze medal at 1995 World Championships. Currently coaching at Brown University.
 * Clyde Scott – Silver medalist in 110-meter hurdles at 1948 Olympic Games. Played in NFL.
 * Wallace Spearmon, Jr. – 200 meter silver medalist at 2005 World Championships and bronze medalist at 2007 World Championships.
 * Erick Walder – 10-time NCAA long jump and triple jump champion. Silver medalist in long jump at 1997 World Championships.
 * Brian Wellman – World class triple jumper who represented Bermuda internationally, winning a silver medal at 1995 World Championships.
 * Godfrey Siamusiye – Two-time Olympic distance runner and two-time NCAA Cross Country National Champion in 1995 and 1996.