ASU Kicks Off Home Field Campaign With SEC Challenger, Renovated Facilities

There was not an empty parking lot on the ASU campus Saturday as the Red Wolves started their fall football campaign against the Missouri Tigers, even though the visiting team sneaked out with a hard-fought 27-20 victory.

The game Saturday night capped a week in which fans and visitors spent money in Jonesboro. The university hosted events throughout the week including a pep rally Thursday at Centennial Bank Stadium. Also, the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted a tailgate party Friday night in downtown Jonesboro.

ASU System President Dr. Charles Welch said Thursday that the economic impact of a game, against a team the caliber of Missouri, was immeasurable and provides a large plus for the university.

“It raises the profile of the state, the stakes with a new facility,” Welch said.

The upgraded facility was the result of university officials and private donors working to make the project a reality. The new press box at Centennial Bank Stadium received $5 million from Home Bancshares chairman Johnny Allison last August.

According to university officials, the expansion project added 35,741 square feet to the press box as well as 42 loge boxes, 20 suites and 300 club seats in the stadium.

The announced attendance at the ball game was 29,143.

TAILGATE TOWN
Before the game Saturday, several thousand fans could be seen south of the stadium at Tailgate Town – a tradition in recent years with businesses, church groups and fans talking football and watching the game. Several fans were watching the Toledo/Arkansas game at the Centennial Bank tent.

“Oh, man,” one man said as Toledo hit a field goal to take the lead against Arkansas.

Davy Carter, an official with the bank, said the crowd was amazing.

“You could walk around and see old friends,” Carter, who graduated from ASU in 1997 and also served as Arkansas House speaker, said. He’s the current regional president for Centennial Bank, which includes Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas. Carter said there was a sense of pride among fans Saturday, with some fans visiting Jonesboro for the first time since they graduated.

“I have seen people that I have not seen in 20 years,” Carter said. “It is pretty powerful.”

Carter credited Athletic Director Terry Mohajir and Chancellor Tim Hudson for helping to make the game a reality, as well as Allison for the upgrade.

“I have never seen it like this,” Carter said. “People are really excited.”

The game also brought out two governors and candidates for public office.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson was on hand for the ASU-Missouri game, as was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, an ASU graduate.

David Boling, who is running for a district judge seat in Craighead County, said the game in Jonesboro provides a good opportunity to politic.

“It is a good crowd and the weather is absolutely beautiful,” Boling said. “With the new facility, it is a way to showcase our university.”

In addition to the renovations, a $12 million indoor practice facility was also built in the offseason. The game Saturday may be the first of many major games in Jonesboro. ASU is scheduled to host UCA in 2016, Miami-Fla., in 2017, UNLV in 2018 and SMU in 2019 in Jonesboro.