The Great Stadium Debate

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It's becoming a bigger and bigger issue these days and this season is no exception. The issue seems to be among fans a Northwest Arkansas vs Central and South Arkansas thing. Fans that are most passionate for the games to stay are from the Central and South Arkansas area. A lot from those areas still travel pretty well up to NWA to see the Hogs play in Fayetteville. But for some including myself the only experience they have ever had to see the Razorbacks in person has been at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Razorback games have been played in War Memorial since 1948. So its very easy to see why people are so passionate about games being there because generations have grown up watching games there. Now with that said fans still need to buy tickets and go to the games. Plenty of people show up to tailgating outside the stadium on what is starting to be called "The Course". The economy has some hand into people not buying tickets. Ticket sales are only part of the equation. Costs for the team, travel, and recruiting are playing a huge roll into the debate as well. Some of the decision makers feel the costs are rising to a level where its becoming costly to have a "home" game away from Fayetteville. Coach Bielema said that the bus ride to Little Rock and back is the longest travel they have and its a home game. Starting this year they are flying back from the game and eventually would like to fly to the game and back. Then one of the bigger issues at least to the coaches is recruiting. When the Hogs play at Little Rock they can not host recruits on official visits which limit their interactions with the recruits. Coach Bielema said this year there were about 6 kids that only had open weeks on the games that were in Little Rock which mean they would not be able to get an official visit with them. Understandably this would appear to be a major issue to the coaches and the decision makers because they want the coaches to be happy so they can put out the best product possible and stay with the team. Bottom line is if fans want games to stay in Little Rock then they need to show up and support the team inside the stadium not just on the outside tailgating. Instead of blowing money on beer, food, and everything else someone would want or need for tailgating use the money on a ticket and have a low key tailgate so you can send a message to the decision makers that you want the games. Even then it still may not be enough save the games once the contract expires especially when politics will most likely get involved but if the fans don't show up then that will give them the message that fans in the central and southern parts of the state just don't care anymore. Whether the games go away or not fans need to continue to support the Razorbacks and want whatever is best for them to succeed.