Today, a letter from the Razorback Foundation was making the rounds on social media sites, informing recipients of the letter of the University of Arkansas’ longstanding policy against playing teams from other in-state schools in athletic events.
The Razorback Foundation letter is in response to a piece of legislation that has been introduced HB2274 that would mandate a football game be played between the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University, with some of the tickets sales of such a game uses for charity.
Text of the letter from from Sean Rochelle, the Razorback Foundation executive director, is below.
Dear Razorback Foundation member:
A bill (H.B. 2274) was recently introduced for consideration in the Arkansas House of Representatives that would require the University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University to play a football game at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. As an active supporter of our program, we want to take the opportunity to share this important information with you.
As you are most likely aware, the University of Arkansas has maintained a long-standing policy of not scheduling intercollegiate athletic competitions against other in-state institutions. This approach continues to serve in the best interests of the University of Arkansas and the Razorback program. It also provides Arkansans the opportunity to be united in their support for the Razorbacks while also supporting other intercollegiate athletic programs in the state.
A website has been set up to allow the citizens of Arkansas to voice their opinion on the pending legislation. We would encourage you to visit the website below to let your voice be heard.
Sincerely,
Sean Rochelle
Executive Director
Razorback Foundation
Tell us what you think? Does the Razorback Foundation sending a letter to its membership legitimize the legislative effort? Should this issue be ignored until it becomes more serious than what looks more like a website poll publicity stunt than an actual effort at the governing the scheduling of football games?
LMBO
The legislation needs to be stopped. ASU has everything (in there minds at least) to gain & the UA has everything to lose. Arkansas can’t afford to split the fan base. When I say Arkansas, I mean the whole state. We do not have the population to support 2 major schools.
Yep. If ASU and UA were to play a charity game in Little Rock I think it is pretty clear that the fan base would cleave right down the middle. It would be divided. Razorback fans wouldn’t know who to support any more. Half of them would probably move to Jonesboro. The fragility of the Razorback program is well known and ASU could destroy the precarious balance that keeps it afloat.
Spot.On.
yeah right.
Jeff Long tried to use that argument on Bo Mattingly’s show today. He said Arkansas is the smallest state in the SEC (population wise). Mississippi is only bigger than Arkansas in population by roughly 40,000 people according to 2012 info. Yet Mississippi has 3 FBS schools, two of which play each other every year.
and just how good are they?
We need to stop being scared and play them. If we want to shut them up, the only way to do it is to play. We aren’t going to lose recruits, fans or money if we lose to
them 1 time in 10 years. It’s not that big of a deal. Play the game and stop being scared. To be the best we have to be willing to play ANYONE, ANYWHERE!
Will Sporting Life Arkansas continue to be an innovative media source in Arkansas and ask why the Razorback Foundation, a supposed “independent” fundraising organization, speaking on behalf of the largest university system in the state?
Who cares if its split right down the middle when they play? It would be right back to the way it usually is the next week. Top recruits are not going to pick ASU over the SEC. Lots of revenue would also stay in state. It seems like a good move to have them play.
The fan base won’t change. If the game is played it’s played. Just go with the flow and be a fan of the school you support.
If the Hogs can’t even beat ASU, then they don’t deserve to be the “state’s team”.
Oh, no problem beating Jonesboro H.S. That is by NO MEANS the problem. We just don’t want to give you cotton field yokels the satisfaction of getting that long yearned for meeting on the gridiron. Go build your own program like the THE…University of Arkansas has done over the last 120 years without demanding games with the teams that rightfully look down their noses at you. Games that earn you that guaranteed $200,000 to provide a scrimmage opponent. In other words teams with big time stadiums…and enough fans to fill the place up. BUILD YOUR OWN PROGRAM. Earn your reputation.