Pork Shank Redemption’s unvarnished and unsolicited advice to Arkansas State University Red Wolves fans on building your brand and growing your program.
State legislators, feel free to read along at your leisure.
Ordinarily, bad blood in sports is reserved for the most bitter rivals. This angst is forged over generations, in on-field battles, high-profile recruiting tussles, botched mascot assassination attempts and healthy doses of fan smack.
The ASU v. University of Arkansas situation is somewhat of an anomaly in that only one of the former elements seems to be present—the smack. And even that is generally one-sided. The anger that emanates from some ASU fans is ironically borne not from competition, but from a lack of it.
ASU: “Man, I really hate you. You’re so arrogant, coasting on inertia created in the 60’s and perpetuated by a media that’s in your back pocket.”
UA: (looks up from watch) “I’m sorry, were you saying something?”
ASU: “I said, I hate you!”
UA: “I’m sorry, the fans in our state-of-the-art stadium were cheering, so I didn’t catch that. Did you need an autograph? Or perhaps I could buy you a refreshing Pepsi product?
ASU: “You are so unbelievably self-absorbed and condescending. But despite my visceral loathing, it would be kind of cool if you could throw me a bone and schedule a game with me so I can raise the profile of my program, grab some of your recruits and a few of your fans and eventually chop off your head and drink your blood. Preferably in front of a live ESPN audience. Is that something you might be interested in?”
This aggression among Arkansas State University Red Wolves fans has been simmering since 1987, when Razorback guard Cannon Whitby wrung every ounce of magic from his glorious tube socks, knocking down multiple three pointers in a dramatic win over ASU in the National Invitational Tournament. That game showed that ASU could compete with the UA on a big stage. A game that the erstwhile Indian probably should have won. But they didn’t. And they took it hard.
Flash forward 25 years and that hate towards the Razorbacks is more palpable than ever.
Perhaps it’s the recent uptick of ASU Red Wolves football. Or maybe it was the gravitas that came with having a bonafide star on the sideline in Gus Malzahn. Either way, A-State fans seem more emboldened and more angry than ever.
Hog fans and Red Wolves fans certainly don’t have to like one another. But who is to say we have to despise each other either.
Here are three simple tips ASU fans can heed to keep that from happening:
- Stop being so needy. Just because you’re an underdog, doesn’t mean you can’t be the coolest underdog in the world. Think Lloyd Dobler, played by John Cusak in Say Anything. You are probably not going to get the coveted football game with the University of Arkansas. So stop groveling for it. Besides, even if you got the game against the Hogs, I doubt it would be as transformative as you think, even if you won—which this year, you would have. It takes decades to build a brand, so keep working on your own and stop worrying about the other guy’s.
- Stop being so mean. You can’t expect to convert middle-of-the-road Arkansas fans when every time the Hogs stumble you are there waiting to yuck it up. The more you do that, the more people have to take sides. When people take sides, history dictates they will take the side of the more successful program. When A-State fans openly reveled in Huge Freeze-led Ole Miss beating the Razorbacks, it just came off as petty and sad. Fans who would cheer for the coach who jilted them a year earlier, leaving the school coachless before their most significant game in years, is curious to say the least. Had ASU landed Petrino instead of Harsin has a head coach, I don’t think Hog fans would have rooted Bobby or ASU’s demise. Maybe rooted for an incurable STD but not football misfortune.
- Stop being so unrealistic. A-state had a great run in the 80s as a Division I-AA power, but between then and now it’s been a barren wasteland – reminiscent of the current state of Razorback basketball. Now, with back-to-back great seasons under your belt, it’s only natural to have a little swagger. But just temper it with some patience. You can’t become the Boise State of the south in a few seasons. More like a few decades. So, as much as it hurts, bide your time.
The future is bright at ASU. It looks like you have another smart, young coach. You can still openly drink Coca-Cola products in your stadium. And, above all, your brand has more awareness than ever. For now, let that be enough.
Thanks for the one-sided and condescending analysis of a situation you clearly don’t understand.
Lived in this state 40 plus years…know people on both sides and from the looks of this comment thread, I know plenty.
Wow. How incredibly bold of you to think assume every ASU fan shares that viewpoint you so elegantly painted. What an absolute joke. Two Arkansas politicians don’t represent the entire fan base in reality, but merely in practice. I feel like the Razorbacks would need this game more than Arkansas State now, with the need for it increasing every year Arkansas State is successful. Especially as long as they’re getting smashed to bits in the SEC consistently.
Since when have we consistently been smashed to bits? Last I checked first year coaches generally don’t fare well anywhere throughout the league…
Hmmm…Arkansas has been in the SEC for 22 years now, and I don’t see any conference championships listed for the football team during that time. I think Hugh Freeze did pretty well in his first year at Ole Miss, but that’s no surprise…he came from ASU.
are we really going to say since A state one a conference title that trumps no SEC conference championships…you won the sun belt..that’s like being the tallest midget.
I’m sure even Hugh Freeze would openly admit that he is so successful now because he lived in a rent house in jonesboro for six months while he constantly looked for other jobs.
Scooter
Before it’s over Hugh Freeze will own the hogs and they know it. Georgia redwolf
the razorbacks need this game more than STATE…wow, delusion is thy name…
1987 has nothing to do with anything. And Sports is not the most central issue, it’s merely the most public face of it.
Legislators are free to read along.
We are a state with few resources. The allocation of those resources between UA and ASU, UAM, UCA, UAPB, UALR, SAU, ATU have historically been skewed and remain so today.
ASU fought hard to achieve university status against opposition. We kept fighting until it finally happened and opened the door for everyone else.
We fought hard to be allowed to offer doctoral degrees.
In sports we fought hard to get out out of FCS and back into FBS when we were forced down with the split. It was a difficult and painful journey in the 90′s but we did not stop like so many others did.
We have the second lowest athletic budget in FBS and yet are back-to-back champions of our league against programs with much higher budgets and much higher populations. We do more with less and get more bang for our buck. We have to…we have no choice.
We make our money playing Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia Tech etc. in an effort to try to keep our student athletic fees lower than many others.
We are in a city of about 75,000 and we have between 20,000 and 30,000 people show up for a game and yet have to listen to garbage over and over about how we don’t have any support in our own town. Bite me.
We have been fighting, scratching, and clawing since 1909 and we have zero intention of “knowing our place”. We haven’t found our “place” yet.
The State of Arkansas needs more than one National Research University. The State of Arkansas needs every one of its universities to be moving UP the national academic rankings. Every Arkansas university needs to be cooperating with one another. If they can’t bring themselves to do that then they at least need to stay the heck out of each others way and not be an obstacle.
Keep your game if it offends you. Give it to The Citadel, Jacksonville State, etc. if that excites you more. You can do your own scheduling. More and more Red Wolves fans are moving on from wanting to play UA anyway and I hope that trend continues.
(p.s. I don’t simmer over 1987. It was an intense, nerve-wracking, heart-breaking, and enjoyable experience.)
very well said sir.
Absolutely. Why so many Razorback fans think that the entire ASU fanbase wants rhat “game” is beyond me. I don’t give a rat whether it ever occurs. I just don’t like the “policy” because it is silly, outdated, and totally biased against fellow in state institutions. If the policy is recinded and they decide to plat UCA instead of Arkansas State University then so be it.
Like most people in this comment thread you looked at the words but didn’t read them. I never advocated for or against “The Game.” Just said most hog fans are tired of hearing you whine about it.
As for the whole sad, pulling yourself up by your boot straps for state funding thing, the U of A athletic department is completely self sufficient, eg. isn’t funded by tax dollars, so that falls in deaf ears.
If hog fans are tired of the “whining” then tell the UA adminstration to stop being pussies and play them. You play other Sun Belt and FCS teams. There is “whining” because you claim to be the state’s team when you shy away from instate competition. Why is the UA so scared?
Wade, put your teeth back in and get outside a bit. The hate isn’t just from ASU. It’s from all areas, especially in the media, and you are a good example. You spill hatred in every paragraph, yet, don’t even realize it.
When you lead with put your teeth back in, I think I can safely lump you in with hateful crowd and assume rational conversation is out the window.
Then Arkansas stop playing the rest of the Sun Belt Conference
Wade, you must live near or be friends with a guy like what you describe…so you’ve developed a stereotypical view of all ASU fans. I’ve learned over the years that not all hog fans are the typical “Walmart t-shirt” fans. Most grads of UA are usually pretty descent, well educated adults who are not scared to play ASU and agree that if the UA is going to continue to schedule other SBC teams and ASU is going to continue playing other SEC teams, the two schools ought to play. The “Walmart t-shirt” hog fans and some rowdy ASU fans like to banter back and forth as your article states but that is not everyone.
I for one have gotten past the “we must play the hogs” mantra and instead have adopted the attitude (like you have written) that ASU doesn’t need to play the UA to grow their fan base and brand…I think we are doing quite well in many sports.
Now, would I like to see the game…absolutely! I think the UA policy is out-dated, short-sighted and embarrassing. UA has more money, boosters, facilities, media support, etc. than ASU will ever have…even if ASU beat AR 10 times in a row, things would not change that much…however if we beat UA 20 times in a row it might. Do you think that is possible? Are you worried about that? Tsk tsk…but then again Rugby could be a foreshadowing of things to come.
Seriously, if the legislature does nothing more than illuminate the fact that “the game” is long overdue they’ve done their job. Btw, ASU is not afraid to play UCA or UAPB or any other state school…we’ve not lost our place by playing these schools…our shoulders are broad enough to take a chance of defeat every once in a while to benefit the citizens of this state with some interesting in-state competition. UALR plays in-state schools and they are part of the UA system.
So, is it time for a game…yes. Will it make or break ASU if we don’t play UA…no. I’ll still enjoy watching and supporting ASU…win or lose…lately it’s been more winning and more enjoyable! Maybe you ought to come to an ASU game Wade, you might find it enjoyable and realize not all ASU fans are “wrapped around the axle” about the game…
…Unless you bring the subject up!
Very well reasoned and thought out response. While my post was based on my sphere of contact with asu fans, it was far from scientific. Most i rub elbows with on twitter.
Although I have to point out that I never said there should not be a game. Just said me and some UA fans are tired of the constant cry for it. YOu are obviously not bitter and support your team and I think that’s great.
good luck to you and the wolves.
You are actually thick enough to believe that ASU fans are really concerned about Arkansas sports teams.
We know without doubt we can compete in the sports arena, its the legislature and Arkansas media where the problem lies.
Most of the vitriol on the part of ASU fans is from the powers that be at UofA-F making sure ASU gets the short end of the stick in funding from the state legislature, and by pushing the Board of Regents to strictly limit the courses of study and degrees ASU is able to offer. Nothing is remotely fair in any of these actions. It’s all Razorback politics.
UofA-F is the fat kid at the table who stuffs everything he can in his mouth claiming he was first and needs/deserves it all.
That attitude is where the divide begins.
The recent e-mail from the Razorback Foundation to all its members encouraging them to “stuff” the balloting box and vote “no” on the proposed charity event football game is the latest example of UA-F
interference.
Let me ask, If Arkansas is so superior in every way to ASU, what possible reason is there for the Razorback Foundation to send out such an e-mail? Could it be that they know they can manipulate small minds like yours, mister author?
Love the fat kid at the table analogy…kudos for that. Can’t speak to the UA board restricting degrees, I’ll take your word for it. And again, as I’ve stated repeatedly, I’m not for or against the game.
Also, never said Arkansas was “superior.” Just said UA fans get tired of the whining and groveling about said game.
I don’t need to be manipulated by the Razorback Foundation. I donate to them. As to being small minded, that’s your take and your welcome to it. Good luck to asu.
This is quite possibly the worst article I have ever read on the internet – no substance and all emotion. This guy has no clue of how A-State fans feel. Most of us don’t give a crap if we even play the pigs, but the only difference is that we are not afraid to play those wannabes in that northwest corner of the state. At least those wannabes now admit that there are two FBS programs in the state, though.
Wow, the worst ever on the whole internet. I knew I would make my mark eventually.
I think it is interesting that so many Razorback fans are so upset that ASU fans are “mean”.
In a lot of cases, being “mean” is just pointing out something absurd that somebody doesn’t want to think about.
I can only assume that many UA fans just aren’t aware of the non-sports history. Which is really not surprising I guess since we haven’t really had any media in this state that would explore it.
ASU has had to struggle against a lot of political opposition and bureaucratic opposition that essentially stacks the deck and makes it more difficult to advance in both academics and sports. We aren’t the only ones.
It is strange and humorous that people would expect us to smile and curtsy and “know our place”.
There is too much “knowing our place” going on in this state without us participating in it.
Wade, that was terrible. Maybe you should write a column telling Arkansas fans to “stop being so unrealistic”. You know, when they are talking about winning National Titles every year before the season starts. Get a new job.
Believe me, I’m a pretty harsh critic of the hogs and unrealistic expectation…my blog is titled “the soul-crushing experience of razorback fandom.” I’m well aware that we are not a national power. But unlike some of the comments suggest we are nationally relevant. We are two years removed from a top 5 finish, have a two time Heisman runner up and run one of the most profitable football programs in the country according to Forbes magazine. Hardly irrelevant.
Thanks for the career advice.