Arkansas AD Jeff Long addresses Razorbacks' future at War Memorial Stadium
The 2018 season could be the last time Arkansas plays football inside War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.
Jeff Long, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at Arkansas, was the featured guest at the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club meeting Wednesday afternoon.
One of the hot topics in Arkansas came up during his appearance — the status of games played at War Memorial. Fans had a poor showing in attendance when Arkansas took on Florida A&M in War Memorial Stadium during Week 1 of the 2017 season.
Long was asked if the lack of fans attending the season-opener could play into the school’s decision to play games there in the future, here’s what he had to say:
Does attendance at last week’s War Memorial game affect the pending stadium decision? “Yes, I think it would.” – Arkansas AD Jeff Long
— Kurt Voigt (@Kurt_Voigt_AP) September 6, 2017
There have been great memories inside that venue including ‘Miracle on Markham I and II’ against LSU. Long knows all about the history.
JL on LR: Attendance at games will come into play. We’ve seen what that place can do when it’s packed
— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) September 6, 2017
When it comes down to the decision, he will justify the choice based on money.
Jeff Long at NWATDC on LR games: Some people think it’s a dirty word, but yes, generating revenue is important for our program.
— Thomas Murphy (@TomMurphyADG) September 6, 2017
Arkansas plays Vanderbilt next season in the Little Rock venue — the final game on the contract. It has yet to be determined if Arkansas will sign another deal with War Memorial Stadium to continue playing games in the capital city. Regardless, Long wants a decision to be made sooner rather than later.
Long hopes the decision on the future of War Memorial games is made sometime this season – to help with future scheduling.
— Kurt Voigt (@Kurt_Voigt_AP) September 6, 2017
Hell, Jeff Long was the biggest reason for that ‘poor turnout’, and he damn well knows it. It was his intention to make it so. 1. The opponent. C’mon, no disrespect to FAMU, but nobody is attracted to a glorified scrimmage. He could have scheduled someone a little more attactive to fans. How many from NWA drove down to see FAMU. Damn few. 2. Moved to to a work/school night. Many have children who had homework, and the family that normally sat in front of us had a son playing junior high football. Where do you think they went? 3. The traffic. Yeah, why don’t we add to the rush hour traffic already in place on a week night? 4. The one thing Jeff maybe couldn’t control but I’m sure he was happy about, the weather. Until that morning, there was a considerable chance of drenching rains from the remnants of Harvey. Despite all of those factors, more showed up than I thought would. As far as Long goes, he’s not my athletic director. He can take these 8 season tickets and file them where the sun doesn’t shine.
“hes not my athletic director” …you dont say!? You sound like a democrat for God sakes. Better find youre safe space snowflake.
However, you’re right, he conspired to purposely sabotaged the LR experience for everybody so that the fans will believe its not a good idea to extend the War Memorial contract. Its not possible that he considered the decision to play the opener on Thursday would allow for extra days of prep for TCU.
I’m a proponent of ending the LR games. I live in hot springs and would rather drive 3 hours to Fayetteville than 50 minutes to LR simply because of the difference in atmosphere. If your a hogs fan you’ll drive to watch your team play no matter what part of the state you are in. I try to make every home game unless it’s during rut of course.
as the arkansas democrat gazette says they are the university of arkansas at fayetteville, its time they start playing all their home games there. ualr is doing a feasibility study so maybe they will get a team and the 5-10 thousand people can go watch them. maybe all you people that wont drive up to fayetteville will get arkie state to play in war memorial im sure that will draw a huge crowd. war memorial is a dump and needs more upgrades than a few new bulbs in the little jumbo tron.
Business vs. tradition – business will win every time. The tourniquet the hill placed on War Memorial has finally killed it. What a shame. I have many memories of Razorback games in there and know the importance that the stadium is (or now was) to the program. I don’t mind those proponents who want all the games up on the hill – what I do mind is their attitude about it. Do they treat their dying relative like that? Have they no respect? It is the end. I know…as the years go by it will only be a memory to us who witnessed many of the program’s historic wins done on that field. Let me enjoy my memory and quit rushing its death. Go Hogs beat TCU! WPS!!