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University of Arkanas

Home Of Champions

It could be said the sun never sets without a Razorback or former Razorback earning headlines for an athletic accomplishment. Never is it more evident than during an Olympic year. While the University of Arkansas has a nationally known program that features outstanding athletes, spectacular facilities, well known coaches and countless championships, its athletes continue to enjoy success long after their careers at Fayetteville are over.

For instance, nine former or current Razorbacks competed at the Olympic Games at Atlanta this past summer. Mike Conley and Robert Howard represented the United States in the triple jump, Brandon Rock in the 800 and Calvin Davis in the 400 hurdles. Five Hogs competed for other countries including Godfrey Siamusiye in the 3,000 steeplechase for Zambia, Niall Bruton in the 1,500 for Ireland, Graham Hood in the 1,500 for Canada, Brian Wellman in the triple jump for Bermuda and Jerome Romain in the triple jump for Dominica.

Other former Razorbacks who snared headlines during the 1995-96 athletic season include Barry Switzer, who coached the Dallas Cowboys to the Super Bowl championship, Wayne Martin, who led the New Orleans Saints in quarterback sacks, Steve Atwater, who had another Pro Bowl season with the Denver Broncos, Todd Day, who set a Boston Celtics record when he scored 26 points in a single quarter, Darrell Walker, who was named head coach of the Toronto Raptors, Jeff King, who was having his best season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tom Pagnozzi, who was having his best year with the St. Louis Cardinals, John Daly, who continued to awe professional golf with his distance and won the 1995 British Open and Jimmy Johnson, who returned to coaching as head mentor of the Miami Dolphins.

All of the headliners mentioned above got their starts at Arkansas. They set high standards when they are Razorbacks and the standards are still high. Fifteen times in the last 18 years Arkansas has ranked in the top five nationally in the men's all-sports race and the Hogs have earned 27 national championships in the last 12 years. Arkansas has been more than competitive since entering the Southeastern Conference, winning 17 league titles and five division crowns in 44 opportunities. SEC schools have won 21 national championships in men's sports since the Razorbacks joined the league and the Hogs have won 14 of those.

There isn't another program like it in America. Interest in Razorback athletics never wanes as the Hogs are successful in something nearly year round.

It starts with football. Razorback fans had their flame rekindled by the 1995 Hogs who defeated Alabama and Auburn en route to the SEC Western Division championship and a spot in the SEC Championship Game. Arkansas played in the Carquest Bowl following the regular season and hopes its incredible history of bowl competition is about to enter a new era.

As football ends basketball is just heading up. Arkansas has won more games in the decade of the 1990's than any other school in college basketball. The Razorbacks won the national championship in 1994 and reached the championship game before losing in 1995. In '96 the youngest team Nolan Richardson ever has coached at Arkansas finished strong and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

Arkansas plays in the fabulous 19,200-seat Bud Walton Arena, rated by many the top facility in all of college basketball. Every game is sold out long before the season begins. Richardson continues to reload every year and the Razorbacks continue to rank among the nation's elite.

The Razorback track program defies description. No program in the history of collegiate athletics has been as dominant as Arkansas has been in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Since 1984 the Hogs have earned 26 national championships in teh three sports. Arkansas won two national titles in 1995-95, winning cross country and outdoor track. It was the fifth consecutive NCAA outdoor crown for the Hogs. Arkansas didn't win the NCAA indoor title in 1996 after winning the previous 12 indoor championships. The streak of a dozen is the longest by any school in any sport in NCAA history. Of the last 15 NCAA events staged, the Razorbacks have won 13 of them. Since joining the SEC, Arkansas has won 14 league championships in 15 tries.

A new facility has enhanced Arkansas' baseball program. The Razorbacks, who have made four trips to the College World Series since 1979, have played in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons as the SEC has had 11 entrants during that time. Baum Stadium at George Cole Field, the gorgeous park that opened in the spring of '96 and could accomodate a capacity of nearly 9,000 if necessary, is beyond state of the art. It's a mini major league park, designed by the same company that build Camden Yards in Baltimore, Jacobs Field in Cleveland and Coors Field in Denver.

Arkansas' golf team has finished in the top 11 of the NCAA Tournament six times in the last nine years. The Hogs won the SEC crown in 1995 and Bud Still, a senior in '96, earned all-America honors four times. The Razorbacks practice daily at Pinnacle, a lush layout 20 minutes from the campus.

The Hogs hosted the SEC tennis championships this past spring and drew rave reviews for the hospitality extended to the schools and their fans. Arkansas is in the rebuilding stage but just missed earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament last year. Nearly the entire team returns this year.

Several football players have participated in other sports through the years. Shannon Sidney helped the Razorbacks win the SEC outdoor track championship last year with a sterling effort in the 400 hurdles and Hubert Loudermilk had a solid year in the sprints. Barry Lunney pitched three seasons for the Razorback baseball team while playing quarterback.

It is a program that brings great pride to the people of Arkansas. They support the Razorbacks in astonishing numbers, home and away, and there is a Razorback Club in every corner of the state. Athletic director Frank Broyles says, "Our fans have been instrumental in our success. They appreciate our athletes and coaches and remember them warmly long after their careers as Razorbacks have been completed."