Game Days Among Razorback Fans Are Better at Stadium (OPINION)

Quick, think back to your favorite Razorback home football game — the one that is as vivid in your mind as when you first experienced it.  Can you hear the marching band? Do you remember “Calling the Hogs” with other passionate Razorback fans? How about that pre-game tailgate?

In all likelihood, that memory was formed from a trip to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback or War Memorial stadium. There is nothing quite like the Razorback football game-day atmosphere and all that surrounds those memorable Saturdays in the fall.

Those were the days when the only way to enjoy Razorback football was in the stands or listening to legendary “Voices of the Razorbacks” like Bud Campbell and Paul Eells. But with the proliferation of college football television coverage, including last year’s addition of the SEC Network, now college football is available on nearly every conceivable device from televisions to tablets to smartphones.

Couple that with the continuing affordable cost of nearly scoreboard-size televisions and it is easy to see why many programs around the country are facing the stark reality of drawing fans away from their big screens to watch a game in person.

At the University of Arkansas, we sincerely appreciate the investment our fans are making when they come to cheer on the Hogs. Not only are they an important part of our home-field advantage, but they are helping financially support more than 460 Razorback student-athletes in 19 sports.

But like with any investment, those who make that type of commitment are looking for a return. And in that regard, Razorback game day delivers and continues to yield returns that other entertainment options cannot match.

It starts long before kickoff, with tailgating. It is not just about the food, but the sense of community that comes with gathering with family and friends. It is the impromptu Hog Calls and the pre-game pep rally in The Gardens.

Have you ever fed a grape to Tusk? Hard to do from your Barcalounger at home. It is that special chill you get when the Razorback band plays the fight song as the team runs through the “A.” When is the last time you high-fived a perfect stranger at the movies? The fact is, nothing can deliver those special moments like game day.

Even with the unparalleled excitement of attending a game in person, there are often other logistics that may give fans pause on whether to attend.

Razorback athletics has spent a lot of time in the past year seeking feedback on the game-day experience of our fans and how we can make it better. Through a series of fan surveys, Razorback fans have helped us better understand what we can do to enhance their experience.

Earlier this year, we announced a number of changes that were directly attributable to the feedback we received. From a $500,000 investment to replace the sound system in the stadium, to lowering the prices of many of the most popular food and drink items at the concession stand, Razorback fans are now seeing tangible benefits from their input. Better AT&T wireless service, renovated restrooms, revised pre-game and post-game traffic flows and expanded food and drink options all have made their way to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

This is only the beginning. There are more enhancements to be made and we still need your help. If you receive a game-day survey, fill it out. You aren’t wasting your time. We want to know what you have to say.

Thank you to those of you who have made the choice to be there for these special events that help bring us together from all corners of the state. Razorback football game day isn’t just a chance to cheer on your favorite team, it is an opportunity to enjoy an uncommon experience unique to our state. But for that, you will need a ticket.

After all, the difference between a lifelong Razorback memory and a footnote in Razorback history is being there in person to witness it. 

Kevin Trainor is associate athletic director for public relations at the University of Arkansas. He can be reached at 479-575-6959 or at [email protected].