50 Facts About Arkansas Razorbacks

The Origin and Identity of the Arkansas Razorbacks

The Arkansas Razorbacks, affectionately known as the Hogs, have a storied history that dates back over a century. Their unique name and vibrant traditions set them apart in the world of college sports.

1. Team Name Origin: Originally called the Arkansas Cardinals, the team was renamed the Razorbacks in 1909 after coach Hugo Bezdek praised his players for playing like "a bunch of Razorback hogs" following a win against LSU.
2. School Colors: The school colors are cardinal red and white. Cardinal red was chosen over heliotrope, a shade of moderate purple, in a campus contest.
3. Call the Hogs Tradition: The "Woo Pig Sooie!" chant is an iconic part of Razorbacks culture, believed to have started in the 1920s. It's heard at all sporting events and fan gatherings.

Facilities and Media Presence

The Razorbacks boast impressive facilities and a strong media presence, ensuring fans stay connected and engaged with their favorite teams.

4. D.W.R. Razorback Stadium: The Razorbacks have called D.W.R. Razorback Stadium home since 1938. The stadium was renamed for local businessman and philanthropist Donald W. Reynolds in 2001.
5. Attendance Record: The attendance record at D.W.R. Razorback Stadium stands over capacity. In 2010, 76,808 fans crammed into the 72,000-seat stadium to watch Arkansas take on Alabama.
6. RazorVision: Arkansas Athletics streams more live video of its home events than almost any other school, thanks to RazorVision. This service provides streaming video from various sports like football, basketball, baseball, and more.
7. Razorback Report Podcast: Hosted by Director of New Media Blair Cartwright, this podcast keeps fans updated twice a week during the fall and spring semesters and once a week during the summer.
8. ArkansasRazorbacks.com: The official website is filled with breaking news, live blogs, live stats, and streaming audio and video. It also features an RSS feed for subscribers.
9. Twitter Feed: The official Twitter feed, @ArkRazorbacks, features quick hits from events and TinyURLs that take users back to full stories of games and events.

Football Legacy

Football has been a cornerstone of Razorbacks athletics, with a rich history of memorable games, legendary coaches, and standout players.

10. Historical Significance: In 1909, the football team finished a 7–0 season, allowing only 18 points on defense and scoring 186 points on offense.
11. Frank Broyles: Hired as head football coach in 1957, Broyles served for 19 years. His team was awarded the 1964 National Championship by the Football Writers Association of America and the Helms Athletic Foundation.
12. 1964 National Championship: The 1964 season was significant, with an undefeated record and a Cotton Bowl Classic win against Nebraska. Both Arkansas and Alabama claimed national championships for 1964.
13. The Big Shootout: In 1969, Broyles' team played the #1-ranked Texas Longhorns in a game known as "The Big Shootout." President Richard Nixon attended, and Texas won 15-14 after Arkansas initially led 14–0.
14. Notable Alumni: Darren McFadden, a standout player, won the Doak Walker Award twice and was a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2006 and 2007.
15. Darren McFadden’s Achievements: During his three college seasons, McFadden racked up 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground. He also won the Maxwell Award in 2007.
16. Ronnie Caveness: A tackling machine, Caveness recorded three of the four highest single-game tackle totals in school history in 1963-64.
17. College Football Playoff Selection Committee: Jeff Long, the athletics director, was the first chairman of the College Football Playoff selection committee.
18. Pro Football Hall of Fame Alumni: The Razorbacks have two alumni in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: receiver Lance Alworth (1959-61) and defensive lineman Dan Hampton (1975-78).
19. NFL Draft Record: The highest a Razorbacks football player has been taken in the NFL Draft is No. 2 overall, when Lamar McHan was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.
20. Live Mascot: The Razorbacks have a live mascot named Tusk, a Russian boar. The current live mascot is Tusk IV and attends all Razorbacks home games.

Basketball Excellence

The Razorbacks' basketball program has seen its share of glory, especially during the Nolan Richardson era, which brought national attention and success.

21. Nolan Richardson Era: Richardson led the team to several successful seasons, including a school-record 34 wins in 1991 before falling to Kansas in the Southeast Regional finals.
22. SEC Championships: Under Richardson, the Razorbacks won multiple SEC championships and made several Final Four appearances. In 1994, they completed their dream season by beating Arizona and Duke to win the national title.
23. Todd Day-Lee Mayberry-Oliver Miller Era: This era saw the Razorbacks win the Southeastern Conference title with a 13-3 record in 1992, including victories over Shaquille O'Neal-led LSU and a big win at Kentucky.
24. Stan Heath Rebuilding: After Richardson's departure, Heath rebuilt the roster with recruiting classes ranked as high as No. 13 by Rivals.com in 2004 and No. 7 by Hoop Scoop in 2003.
25. Paradise Jam Tournament Title: In 2005, the Razorbacks won the Paradise Jam tournament title and went 18-12 under Heath's leadership.
26. Pat Bradley’s Records: Bradley set school records for career three-point shooting (366-915, .400) during his time with the Razorbacks. Derek Hood recorded more double-doubles than anyone in UA history (34) and led the league in rebounding (10.3).
27. Kareem Reid’s Achievements: Reid broke Mayberry’s career record for assists (748) and was a key player in several successful seasons.
28. Brandon Dean’s MVP Performance: Dean was the MVP after averaging 15.2 points in the SEC Tournament title run in 2000.
29. Mike Anderson’s Interim Role: Anderson took over as interim head coach for the last two games of the 2002 season after Richardson’s departure.
30. Stan Heath’s Recruiting Success: Heath’s recruiting classes were highly ranked, helping to rebuild the program and achieve success in the early 2000s.

Baseball and Other Sports

The Razorbacks excel in more than just football and basketball. Their baseball team and other sports programs have also achieved significant success.

31. Athletic Programs: The University of Arkansas offers 19 sports programs, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, and more.
32. Old Spice Classic Win: In recent history, the Razorbacks won the Old Spice Classic and reached the finals of the SEC Tournament, recording their 27th 20-win season in school history by finishing 21-14.
33. Postseason Record: The Razorbacks hold a record of 14-23-3 in the postseason, with a winning percentage of .388.
34. Independent Years: The Razorbacks played as an independent for the first 20 or so years of their history before joining conferences.
35. Merchandise Sales: Arkansas merchandise sold at the highest levels in school history during the 2012–13 academic year, ranking 10th best in the nation through CLC royalties.
36. SEC Tournament Titles: The Razorbacks have won multiple SEC Tournament titles, including one in 2000 when they won four games in four days, including victories over No. 16 Kentucky, No. 10 LSU, and No. 23 Auburn.
37. Final Four Appearances: The Razorbacks have made several Final Four appearances, including in 1990 when they reached the semifinals but lost to Duke, and in 1994 when they won the national title.
38. NCAA Tournament Success: The Razorbacks have had significant success in the NCAA Tournament, including reaching the second round in 1998 with a win over Nebraska and winning their 10th straight NCAA Tournament first-round game in 1999.
39. Notable Coaches: The Razorbacks have had several notable coaches, including Frank Broyles, who led the team to a national championship in 1964, and Nolan Richardson, who led the team to several successful seasons and a national title in 1994.
40. Player Achievements: The Razorbacks have produced several notable players, including Darren McFadden, who won the Doak Walker Award twice and was a Heisman Trophy runner-up, and Jonathan Luigs, who won the 2006 Dave Rimington Trophy for the outstanding center in the U.S.

Honoring Tradition and Excellence

The Razorbacks honor their rich history and traditions while continuing to strive for excellence in all their athletic endeavors.

41. Stadium Dedication: The playing field at D.W.R. Razorback Stadium was dedicated in honor of Frank Broyles when he retired in 2007, making the official stadium name quite the mouthful: Frank Broyles Field at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
42. Attendance Records: The attendance record at D.W.R. Razorback Stadium stands over capacity, with 76,808 fans attending a game against Alabama in 2010.
43. College Football Playoff Selection Committee Role: Jeff Long, the athletics director, played a crucial role in establishing the College Football Playoff selection committee, which he chaired.
44. Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees: The Razorbacks have two alumni in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Lance Alworth and Dan Hampton.
45. NFL Draft High Pick: The highest a Razorbacks football player has been taken in the NFL Draft is No. 2 overall, when Lamar McHan was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.
46. Live Mascot Tradition: The Razorbacks have a live mascot named Tusk, a Russian boar. The current live mascot is Tusk IV and attends all Razorbacks home games.
47. War Memorial Stadium: The Razorbacks occasionally play games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, which honors the team's military service members.
48. Old Spice Classic Win: In recent history, the Razorbacks won the Old Spice Classic and reached the finals of the SEC Tournament, recording their 27th 20-win season in school history by finishing 21-14.
49. Continuous Excellence: Despite the ups and downs, the Arkansas Razorbacks continue to excel in various sports, maintaining a strong presence in college athletics and inspiring their dedicated fan base.
50. Razorback Report Podcast: The Razorback Report podcast, hosted by Director of New Media Blair Cartwright, keeps Arkansas fans updated twice a week during the fall and spring semesters and once a week during the summer. The podcast includes audio sound bites from coaches and players.

Razorback Legacy Lives On

The Arkansas Razorbacks have a storied history filled with triumphs, traditions, and dedicated fans. From their early days as the Arkansas Cardinals to their current status as a powerhouse in college sports, the Razorbacks have consistently shown excellence. Their iconic "Woo Pig Sooie!" chant, live mascot Tusk, and impressive achievements in various sports make them a beloved part of college athletics. Notable alumni like Darren McFadden and Frank Broyles have left lasting legacies, while the team's commitment to excellence continues to inspire. Whether it's on the football field, basketball court, or any other arena, the Razorbacks' spirit and determination shine through. Their rich history and ongoing success ensure that the Razorback legacy will continue to thrive, captivating fans and making a mark in the world of college sports.