Spring Game Officially Closed to Public

[Michael_E_Davis]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a spring game, closed to the public? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like they do at some of the other SEC schools. Our coaches don't seem to care much about it. It's the only thing to hold me over until fall! 

[Al Boarland]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

Probably b/c the stadium is under construction. Like the team.

Edit: rain

[Porked Tongue]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

Rain in abundance.

Likely moved indoors or shortened depending on timing of rain.

No room for fans.

[hogginbama]

Probably b/c the stadium is under construction. Like the team.

That makes sense from a safety stand-point. All it takes is one person to not follow the rules, get around a barricade and get hurt.....then they would sue to university for a ton of money.

[Cmheinley]

Will it be televised at least or does closed to the public include media outlets as well?

[Porked Tongue]

Still televised.

FanFest deal cancelled as well.

[ricepig]

https://twitter.com/ArkRazorbacks/status/857790514267082754

[bennyl08]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

It is a big deal. We have an audience of tens of thousands each year. We don't have a closed spring game. We have an open spring game that had to be moved to an area that is closed to the public due to weather conditions, but is still apparently being televised.

[ricepig]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

[Jason Carroll]

Arkansas officially announced that Saturday's Red-White game is closed to the public

http://www.nwahomepage.com/razorback-nation/forecasted-weather-results-in-closed-spring-game/700807037

[factchecker]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

It's happened at other schools too.  AnM didn't have a spring game in 2014 due to construction.

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/news/texas-am-spring-game-canceled-kyle-field-renovations-kevin-sumlin-sec-ncaa-rules/bv6hizhym4dj19ue55mghwaax

http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/kyle-field-renovations-cancel-texas-am-spring-games-for-2014-15/

[Hawgar The Horrible]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

Yep. You are ASSuming alright.

[hog.goblin]

Really? So, I am assuming we are the only team that has a closed spring game? I wish our spring games were a bigger deal, like some schools. Our coaches don't seem to care.

Might want to rethink this and consider reality instead

[Michael_E_Davis]

Might want to rethink this and consider reality instead

You are right.  Perhaps my statement was unfair, and I didn't know it would still be televised.  And maybe I am seeing things wrong, but it just seems like a lot of the other SEC teams have a bigger event for spring game.   

[bennyl08]

You are right.  Perhaps my statement was unfair, and I didn't know it would still be televised.  And maybe I am seeing things wrong, but it just seems like a lot of the other SEC teams have a bigger event for spring game.

Depends on a lot of things. New coach will bring a lot of excitement. Population of the states plays into it.

Overall, we are almost good for 30k or more fans which puts us at 5th or 6th in the SEC. LSU rarely tops 20k for comparison. Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, and Florida are about the only schools that are usually ahead of us. Comparing 2016 (which was a low year for us with 30.5k) with spring attendance for SEC, BIG 10, and Pac, we ranked 14th out of 36.

[mckinneyhog5]

Man people just have to Whine about something...even after it was pointed out the reason why. I wonder if the OP has ever been to a spring game and see how many people attend it?

[mckinneyhog5]

Depends on a lot of things. New coach will bring a lot of excitement. Population of the states plays into it.

Overall, we are almost good for 30k or more fans which puts us at 5th or 6th in the SEC. LSU rarely tops 20k for comparison. Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, and Florida are about the only schools that are usually ahead of us. Comparing 2016 (which was a low year for us with 30.5k) with spring attendance for SEC, BIG 10, and Pac, we ranked 14th out of 36.

Thanks Benny!

[moses_007]

The truth is, our spring game has declined in importance ever since they quit having a second spring game in Little Rock.  Who wants to drive from Little Rock to Fayetteville to watch nothing more than a controlled scrimmage.  It isn't really any more than a practice session.  Doesn't resemble an actual ballgame like they used to be.

[factchecker]

The truth is, our spring game has declined in importance ever since they quit having a second spring game in Little Rock.  Who wants to drive from Little Rock to Fayetteville to watch nothing more than a controlled scrimmage.  It isn't really any more than a practice session.  Doesn't resemble an actual ballgame like they used to be.

Are you saying it was nothing but NWA fans who set the spring game attendance record in 2013?

http://fansided.com/2013/04/21/arkansas-razorbacks-break-spring-game-attendance-record-again/

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/2016-spring-game-attendance-records/

Hell more fans showed up to that spring game (51,088) then they do for regular season games in WMS now-a-days.

[3kgthog]

Hell more fans showed up to that spring game (51,088) then they do for regular season games in WMS now-a-days.

Better opponent in the spring game.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

The truth is, our spring game has declined in importance ever since they quit having a second spring game in Little Rock.  Who wants to drive from Little Rock to Fayetteville to watch nothing more than a controlled scrimmage.  It isn't really any more than a practice session.  Doesn't resemble an actual ballgame like they used to be.

You almost completed a GSD derail..! Try Harder.!!

Like, "I bet the weather in Little Rock will be better"...

[Jackrabbit Hog]

I'm just thankful they made a decision as early as they did.  We were planning to drive over from Memphis to watch the game.  We may still make the trip since there are other reasons for us to go, but I'd have hated it had we gone all the way to Fayetteville just to see the game only to find when we got there that we couldn't see it.

[rljjr]

You are right.  Perhaps my statement was unfair, and I didn't know it would still be televised.  And maybe I am seeing things wrong, but it just seems like a lot of the other SEC teams have a bigger event for spring game.   

Now you just doubled down. Our spring game attendance is usually in the upper third to half of SEC teams. It's a big deal. The University puts a ton of effort into Razorfest and the game.

[zane]

This over reaction is impressive. Even by MMQB standards.

[ricepig]

I'm just thankful they made a decision as early as they did.  We were planning to drive over from Memphis to watch the game.  We may still make the trip since there are other reasons for us to go, but I'd have hated it had we gone all the way to Fayetteville just to see the game only to find when we got there that we couldn't see it.

If they move it inside the Walker Pavilion, just use my name to get by Customs.....I'll be in your fair city watching the youngest slog around in a golf tournament.

[hogsanity]

Don't get the big deal about spring practice that they try to make believe is a game. I went to the 2008 "game" and it was like sitting and watching a practice, which does not interest me at all. They made the right decision about tomorrow, with the weather looking like we need to be building a boat to hold animals, no need to wait til the last minute, or worse having a few thousand people in the stands when it starts to lightning, to tell the public not to come.

According to reports, they will still have something for he SEC network to televise, even if it is from the indoor facility.

[LZH]

The truth is, our spring game has declined in importance ever since they quit having a second spring game in Little Rock.  Who wants to drive from Little Rock to Fayetteville to watch nothing more than a controlled scrimmage.  It isn't really any more than a practice session.  Doesn't resemble an actual ballgame like they used to be.

Scholarship limits may have caused coaches to stop the 'live game' action to keep too many of the best players from getting hurt.

[longpig]

In Eastern Nebraska temporarily so I went to the UN spring game, to experience the stadium mostly.  Tickets were $5 to $20 (not free) and there were over 78k butts in seats.  In the same situation I have no doubt 50k Cornhusker fans would show. 

Nebraska fans, Lincoln campus and Memorial Stadium are all spectacular, btw.  I wish we had a home and home with them.  It's a great place and an easy drive from NWA.

[Tejano Jawg]

That sucks for people planning their Saturday afternoon festivities around the game. But not much else you can do. I wonder what the telecast will look like?...where the SEC Network can put their cameras, etc. I bet they're bumming big time.

[lstewart]

I understand why they needed to close the game for fans, as the weather forecast looks really bad for NW Arkansas. If they were not scheduled for the SEC Network, I suspect they would just have a scrimmage indoors. I agree the spring game is basically just a practice. I work on campus, so have been to most of them the past 20 years. It is fun when the weather is nice, and a chance to see the hogs on the field, but it is nothing like a game. They don't hit the QB's, blow the plays dead early, etc. It is what it is.... 

[DeltaBoy]

That sucks for people planning their Saturday afternoon festivities around the game. But not much else you can do. I wonder what the telecast will look like?...where the SEC Network can put their cameras, etc. I bet they're bumming big time.

I understand their reasoning but If I had gotten a hotel and such and we got this short notice I would be UPSET!

[Hogarusa]

I understand their reasoning but If I had gotten a hotel and such and we got this short notice I would be UPSET!

Majority of hotels are refundable up to 24 hours before check in (unless there is a major event). People got proper notice, cant imagine too many folks are feeling hosed for closed spring practice

[HF#1]

The decision to release this close to 10pm on a Thursday night was just strange. This is becoming a trend for some reason.

[ricepig]

I understand their reasoning but If I had gotten a hotel and such and we got this short notice I would be UPSET!

So, you would have cancelled when the 8-14 day forecast called for above normal precipitation two weeks ago?

[razorcash2]

Jeff Long is in with the Russians I bet!

[Jackrabbit Hog]

If they move it inside the Walker Pavilion, just use my name to get by Customs.....

No thanks.  I'm not a fan of body cavity searches and getting carted off to WCDC.

[FANONTHEHILL]

That sucks for people planning their Saturday afternoon festivities around the game. But not much else you can do. I wonder what the telecast will look like?...where the SEC Network can put their cameras, etc. I bet they're bumming big time.

There are film catwalks on the ends and they will likely set up cameras at the windows of the weight room that overlooks the field.  I imagine that there will be lots of handheld field level shots as well.

[FANONTHEHILL]

The construction combined with the likelihood of having to move thousands of people out of the stands because if lightning makes this a no brainer.  From a "promoting the program" perspective, the proximity of the cameras to the field, players, and coaches will give everyone a closer look at the team than what there would have been in the stadium.  Hopefully they will expand the fan appreciation day at the end of fall camp to make up for this Saturday.

[Stephen Greene]

I blame all of this on Jackrabbithog

[Pig in the Pokey]

meh. no worries. our half built stadium on tv, or a showcase of our indoor digs for the recruits to see. wont hurt, could help in recruiting.

[Stephen Greene]

We should meet Arkansas State in Conway and scrimmage

in anthracite uniforms

Conway. Not Little Rock.

Invite Basil Shabbazz to be honored at halftime

[Stephen Greene]

Wish I could hear what the take from this situation would be on the John Nabors Show

But it's gone

[ricepig]

Wish I could hear what the take would be on the John Nabors Show

But it's gone

I'll tell you, but you'll have to buy some ad time first.....

[Stephen Greene]

I'll tell you, but you'll have to buy some ad time first.....

[Jackrabbit Hog]

The sheer depth and insight in this post are enough to confound Stephen Hawking.

[Grizzlyfan]

Nobody wants to believe the weather forecast until the deluge hits.  Or until their activities are cancelled.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

Nobody wants to believe the weather forecast until the deluge hits.  Or until their activities are cancelled.

Or until Jim Cantore shows up in his rainsuit.

[PorkSoda]

will it still be on TV?

[PorkSoda]

I understand their reasoning but If I had gotten a hotel and such and we got this short notice I would be UPSET!

I'm pretty sure anyone who was planning on going knew that it might be cancelled due to weather.

also, the reason they wait to cancel is probably because they wanted to see if it was going to clear up.  weather does funky things sometimes.

dont want to cancel a week before then have it be sunny

[Tejano Jawg]

There are film catwalks on the ends and they will likely set up cameras at the windows of the weight room that overlooks the field.  I imagine that there will be lots of handheld field level shots as well.

Who knows...this may turn out to be a really cool change of pace from the otherwise not-so-relevant Spring Game viewing. I like the hand-held idea, kinda like the latest movie/TV trends these days. Not so many panoramic crane shots.