The Arkansas 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 feral 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. Since the Razorback name was already in use by the Texarkana Arkansas High School Razorbacks, the University agreed to 'use' the Razorback logo as their mascot; In turn, giving Arkansas High School used athletic equipment from the university. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the only major sports team in the US with a porcine nickname. The University of Arkansas currently fields 19 total varsity teams (8 men's and 11 women's) in 13 sports. The 7 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).

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Current Sports

Football

250 px at the University of Arkansas.

The school's college football team is coached by Bobby Petrino, who was introduced as the new coach on December 11, 2007. ^[1] Petrino follows the ten season tenure of Houston Nutt who resigned November 26 after a year marked by off-the-field turmoil. 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 current head coach for the men's basketball team is John Pelphrey. The former Kentucky Wildcat has coached for or played under such greats as Eddie Sutton, Billy Donovan and Rick Pitino.

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.

Baseball

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The baseball team, led by former Razorback Dave Van Horn 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 Jess Todd. ^[2]

Track and Field

The most successful program in NCAA history, the Arkansas track and field teams, formerly led by head coach John McDonnell and now headed by Chris Bucknam, are the most decorated teams in the athletics department. The program has won 40 national titles in cross country and track & field as well as 84 conference titles, including 33 straight cross country titles in the Southwest and Southeastern Conferences. Former members of the team represent a number of countries internationally and have won several Olympic and World Championships medals. The team has a home indoor track at the Randal Tyson Track Center and outdoor field at John McDonnell Field.

• 10x NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship : 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003
• 19x NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship : 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006
• 11x NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship : 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000

Arkansas was required by the NCAA to vacate the 2004 and 2005 Men's Outdoor Track championships because of infractions by a former assistant coach involving sprinter Tyson Gay. ^[3]. This ruling is currently under appeal.

Women's Sports

In 2008, the men's and women's athletic departments at the University of Arkansas were merged. Though the women's teams in the past referred to as Lady'Backs, they will now be known more succinctly as "Razorbacks" like the men's programs. The women's programs include basketball, cross country, track, golf, gymnastics, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball. The Razorback women's teams teams have won a combined 17 SEC championships.

Rivalries

One of the main rivalries for the Arkansas Razorbacks is against the Longhorns of the University of Texas, although today the Longhorns have several other rivalries that they consider more important - notably Texas A&M and Oklahoma. Texas leads the series in football, while Arkansas holds the series lead in basketball. For Arkansas, the rivalry is an emotional experience and Arkansas fans and media go into a frenzy when the two teams play in any sport. The emotional intensity from the Arkansas side in these games overwhelms and bewilders Texas fans at times, including the 2000 Cotton Bowl, where Arkansas fans outnumbered Texas fans by almost 2 to 1 in Dallas. The Razorbacks won that game, 27–6.

Another rival from the state of Texas is Texas A&M. During their Southwestern Conference rivalry days, the two teams played annually in all sports. In 2009, the rivalry will again resume on an annual basis, being played each year at Cowboys Stadium. (see Arkansas–Texas A&M rivalry)

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 currently maintains a 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 30 miles from Little Rock in Conway. Arkansas State 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

In 1894, 23 years 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. Unfortunately, due to the constant barrage of such merchandise, a sizable number of razorback fans believe in fact, that the official UA colors are red and black.

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 famous yell, “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 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 didn't fit Holtz's offensive plans.

The track and field team has been under the direction of 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 5 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.

On 26 March 2007, Stan Heath was fired as the head coach of the men's basketball team. On April 9, 2007, John Pelphrey was announced as the new head coach of the University of Arkansas basketball team. Pelphrey replaced Dana Altman, who resigned after 26 hours as the head coach of Arkansas.

Mascots

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 current favored logo for the University is the classic or running hog as has been depicted on the program's football helmets for sometime. Other versions have included the infamous "popcorn hog" and various dog-bone shaped marquees.

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.

National Championships

• Football – 1964
• Basketball – 1994
• 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

Famous athletes

Football

• 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.
• Jim Benton - played for the Cleveland Rams, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams in the '30 and 40's. Member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team.
• John Bond - offensive coordinator for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team.
• Frank Broyles - never played for Arkansas, 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 - 6 time all star offensive lineman in the CFL.
• 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.
• Wayne Harris - member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
• Red Hickey - NFL player and head coach; credited with creating the shotgun formation.
• Peyton Hillis - starting tailback for the Denver Broncos
• Jim Lee Howell - NFL player and head coach.
• John Jenkins - head coach for University of Houston and in the Canadian Football League.
• Jimmy Johnson - head coach of 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 - owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
• Matt Jones - first-round draft selection of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones also started for the Razorbacks in basketball.
• Boo Williams - Reciever for the New Orleans Saints 2000-06
• 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.
• Darren McFadden - winner of 2006 and 2007 Doak Walker Award, 2006 and 2007 Heisman Trophy runner-up.
• 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.
• Barry Switzer - head coach for both the Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys.

Basketball

• Ron Brewer - drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers 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 Utah Jazz in 2006.
• Gordon Carpenter - gold medalist at 1948 Summer Olympics.
• Todd Day - played for five NBA teams, most notably Milwaukee Bucks.
• Scott Hastings - long time NBA center.
• Joe Johnson - drafted by the Boston Celtics 10th overall in 2001. Traded to the Phoenix Suns. Plays for the Atlanta Hawks.
• Joe Kleine - played 15 years in the NBA for 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
• 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.
• 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 - 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. Led Hogs to 1994 NCAA Championship, where he was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

Baseball

• Eric Hinske - 2002 American League Rookie of the Year, currently a Pittsburgh Pirate
• Jeff King - played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals
• Cliff Lee - plays for the Philadelphia Phillies, 2008 American League Cy Young Award Winner
• 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 California Angels

Golf

• Miller Barber - top PGA and Senior Tour player
• John Daly - winner of two professional major championships
• Brendan Pappas
• Deane Pappas
• Tag Ridings
• R. H. Sikes - won 1963 NCAA individual title
• Stacy Lewis - LPGA Golfer

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, .
• 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.
• 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.

References

1. Bobby Petrino Named Razorback Football Coach
2. "Cards promote Jess Todd, designate Boyer." Article. USA Today. Retrieved on June 11 2009.
3. ESPN - Arkansas loses two track and field titles; sprinter Gay linked to probe - College Sports