Wally Hall says FAMU may be the last ever game in Little Rock? Buyout Yes or No

[Steef]

So it was ok to play the previous Thursday night games in LR?

No. I would consistently say its problematic.

Thanks for asking.

[LZH]

So it was ok to play the previous Thursday night games in LR?

Have we played Thursday games there before? I remember HDN's teams playing Carolina on Thursday for a few years when they were our SECE cross-over game or whatever.  But I don't remember anything in LR....not on Thursday anyway.

[Steef]

Have we played Thursday games there before? I remember HDN's teams playing Carolina on Thursday for a few years when they were our SECE cross-over game or whatever.  But I don't remember anything in LR....not on Thursday anyway.

I dont remember any either, but that doesnt mean it didnt happen.

Not sure rice was really being serious.

[factchecker]

Have we played Thursday games there before? I remember HDN's teams playing Carolina on Thursday for a few years when they were our SECE cross-over game or whatever.  But I don't remember anything in LR....not on Thursday anyway.

I dont remember any either, but that doesnt mean it didnt happen.

Not sure rice was really being serious.

Are you being serious?

[ErieHog]

Not the point.

Moving it to Thursday for any reason, damages the reason for having there at all.

As if there were a viable reason to have one there at all.

[LZH]

Are you being serious?

Hell I was front and center for that one but didn't remember it being on a Thursday. Either it was that game or the Boise St. game that was hot as hell....miserable until the sun went down below the press box (6:00 kickoff).

[WilsonHog]

We played South Carolina in WMS on a Thursday night when HDN was our head coach. I happened to be in Little Rock that night, so I went. That was the last game I attended in WMS. I'm going to be in Little Rock on business again this Thursday night, so I might as well grab some rain gear and go.

[Steef]

As if there were a viable reason to have one there at all.

Ive been advocating all games in NWA for years.

But....THE ONE POINT of having it in LR, has always been "let the southerners have their share".

Putting it on Thursday makes that problematic. Not impossible, but certainly insensitive to the needs of those same southrrners we supposedly cared about.

[Steef]

Are you being serious?

About my comment on rice?

Absolutely.

[factchecker]

I'm going to be in Little Rock on business again this Thursday night, so I might as well grab some rain gear and go.

I'll be there as well.

[ricepig]

About my comment on rice?

Absolutely.

I thought you knew of our past Thursday night games in LR, it's no more problematic for us than any other school that plays on any night not Saturday.

[PonderinHog]

If God wanted games at WMS, it wouldn't rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock at kickoff.

[ricepig]

If God wanted games at WMS, it wouldn't rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock at kickoff.

It won't even be cloudy......

[onebadrubi]

If God wanted games at WMS, it wouldn't rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock at kickoff.

That could be a slippery slope

[LZH]

We played South Carolina in WMS on a Thursday night when HDN was our head coach. I happened to be in Little Rock that night, so I went. That was the last game I attended in WMS. I'm going to be in Little Rock on business again this Thursday night, so I might as well grab some rain gear and go.

I would have been there, too. Damn those tic-tacs.

[colbs]

Well, they've done everything they possibly could, to kill attendance.

Last SEC game I can remember there was Georgia. Did we play MSU there after that?

Since then, nothing but rent-a-wins.

And THIS one is on a weeknight. When you consider the WHOLE concept of WMS, was to make games more accessible to southern Hog fans....putting it on a Thursday kinda shoots that in the foot. Anyone who does want to come, has to take a four day weekend.

I played in that stadium. For Hall High School. It has memories.

But it's time to move on.

Well the GA game didn't even sell out.  I'm from Central Arlansas but if fans can't fill up WMS for a top 10 game then I can't blame them for moving games out of LR.  There is already a loss of money playing games in WMS. 

[ur]

It's been a while since I asked but the last thing I was told is they really don't want to replace the LR game with a Fayetteville game. They're looking for non conference games in pro stadiums. It might be hit or miss the first few years but seven Fayetteville games is too much travel for fans outside of NWA. There are six this year. That's as many as they want.

Anyone know if the multiple year contract that new suite holders have to sign states that they are paying for 6 games, 7 games, or 6-7 games? That should answer the question. I would think that the number of games, and the cost, would be in the contract when you are talking about that much money.

[hoglady]

Why blame the University? The city of Little Rock let NLR get the basketball and baseball stadiums with no real effort to keep them. No real effort to keep football. The city fathers put their money and support in the Clinton Library, River Market and Riverfest.  The U of A made great business decisions and did what was best for the program.

The city of Little Rock doesn't own WMS - it's owned by the state.
They have no control over renovations, improvements or contracts.

[hoglady]

Well, they've done everything they possibly could, to kill attendance.

Last SEC game I can remember there was Georgia. Did we play MSU there after that?

Since then, nothing but rent-a-wins.

And THIS one is on a weeknight. When you consider the WHOLE concept of WMS, was to make games more accessible to southern Hog fans....putting it on a Thursday kinda shoots that in the foot. Anyone who does want to come, has to take a four day weekend.

I played in that stadium. For Hall High School. It has memories.

But it's time to move on.

What will kill this game is the cost - $100 to $130 a ticket for most of the sideline tickets.
Some $35 tickets remain (not too many) - after that the cheapest ticket is an end zone seat for $85.

[Steef]

What will kill this game is the cost - $100 to $130 a ticket for most of the sideline tickets.
Some $35 tickets remain (not too many) - after that the cheapest ticket is an end zone seat for $85.

Thats a factor, for true.

But it isnt exclusive to WMS.

[elksnort]

Hopefully, they at least play there next year one last time. Announce to everyone it will be the last game and make it a celebration instead of a funeral. Before the game play classic clips of some of the great moments that have occurred there over the years. Give everyone a chance to say goodbye and move on.

GREAT POST

[WilsonHog]

A Thursday night game against Florida A&M in the rain may reduce the crowd considerably. Of course, that might also reduce the likelihood of a pre- or post-game brawl on the golf course, which would be a nice PR win.

But, it is what it is.

[DeltaBoy]

The time has come.

[LZH]

Well the GA game didn't even sell out.  I'm from Central Arlansas but if fans can't fill up WMS for a top 10 game then I can't blame them for moving games out of LR.  There is already a loss of money playing games in WMS. 

It's odd that when people from LR/South AR do not travel to Fayetteville to help fill RRS, they aren't real fans. So where have the NWA fans been for these big LR games?

[WilsonHog]

It's odd that when people from LR/South AR do not travel to Fayetteville to help fill RRS, they aren't real fans. So where have the NWA fans been for these big LR games?

I expect that a fan who lives in NW Arkansas and has six games every season in his backyard would feel much less inclined to drive to Little Rock for one.

[factchecker]

It's odd that when people from LR/South AR do not travel to Fayetteville to help fill RRS, they aren't real fans. So where have the NWA fans been for these big LR games?

How do you know where the fans are coming from?

I've never filled out a survey when I attended games.

[ricepig]

How do you know where the fans are coming from?

I've never filled out a survey when I attended games.

He's in Florida, he can tell these things, he's gifted like that........

[DoctorSusscrofa]

As I've said before. Good riddance. The hogs (all sports) should stay the he11 out of LR. They don't belong anywhere but Fayetteville. Buy out this year's game and stay out.

[Karma]

As I've said before. Good riddance. The hogs (all sports) should stay the he11 out of LR. They don't belong anywhere but Fayetteville. Buy out this year's game and stay out.

This year's game is in 3 days, so it's going to be tough to move it.

[DoctorSusscrofa]

I know that. But I wish they would. The NWA Razorbacks are not a statewide team and haven't been for awhile. LSU is just as close to many of us as Arkansas. They're both my teams. But neither is so very near and dear to me.  They're both just closer than most of the other major schools. I don't care if the door hits the hogs in the butt anymore. I'll watch and cheer on Game Day, but no team has my heart and soul anymore.

[DeltaBoy]

This issue died with me several years ago when the State and LR both whiffed on doing a Major remodel or build a new facility.

[WilsonHog]

I know that. But I wish they would. The NWA Razorbacks are not a statewide team and haven't been for awhile. LSU is just as close to many of us as Arkansas. They're both my teams. But neither is so very near and dear to me.  They're both just closer than most of the other major schools. I don't care if the door hits the hogs in the butt anymore. I'll watch and cheer on Game Day, but no team has my heart and soul anymore.

Over the location of games??

[hobhog]

I know that. But I wish they would. The NWA Razorbacks are not a statewide team and haven't been for awhile. LSU is just as close to many of us as Arkansas. They're both my teams. But neither is so very near and dear to me.  They're both just closer than most of the other major schools. I don't care if the door hits the hogs in the butt anymore. I'll watch and cheer on Game Day, but no team has my heart and soul anymore.

Sad

[Maximus Tusk]

Austin Allen leads the SEC in passing, Duvall Wally goes for 1500 yards!  The Paul Rhoads 3-4 works!  The 2017 Hogs finish 9-3 and then win a Bowl to go 10-3 on the year.  Cole Kelly looks great in frequent mop up duty and hope for 2018 is high.  If that scenario pans out, I could easily see 80,000 coming to every SEC game in Fayetteville! 

LMAO at your negativity!  Life is more fun when your optimistic!

Oooh......that got my attention!! I like the way you think.

[snoblind]

Ive been advocating all games in NWA for years.

But....THE ONE POINT of having it in LR, has always been "let the southerners have their share".

Putting it on Thursday makes that problematic. Not impossible, but certainly insensitive to the needs of those same southrrners we supposedly cared about.

Back in the day it was never about letting southerns have their share, it was about uniting the entire state behind the Hogs.  When I was a kid every other year LR would have one more game that Fayetteville.  Improved highways and more games on TV were a couple of reasons that became less necessary.

[The Boar War]

Over the location of games??

If playing in Little Rock was successful in building interest in South and Central Arkansas fans than it's safe to assume that not playing in Little Rock will diminish that interest.   

[RebelW]

The hurricane supposed to come through Thursday. Lord don't let it get rained out.. Rain is ok but lightning starts and we might have to wait for TCU

[The Boar War]

Before the game play classic clips of some of the great moments that have occurred there over the years.

Classic clips which the video board will invariably be unable to show in their entirety.

[GuvHog]

This issue died with me several years ago when the State and LR both whiffed on doing a Major remodel or build a new facility.

That issue died when the U of A cut down to one game in WMS.

[oldbooniehog]

War Memorial Stadium has been an obsolete dump for a long time. Should have ended games there years ago.

[NaturalStateReb]

He's been saying that since the Georgia game. I think they'll let it play out and next year vs. Vandy will be it.

I agree.  I don't think it's a coincidence that the 2018 game is against an SEC opponent instead of a cupcake.  It's a going away present to Little Rock.

[hogsanity]

The argument about rent a wins and bad sec games killing attendance is so lame, but right in keeping with the LR game group. All we heard was " LR loves the Hogs, we just want Hog football here". What they were really saying was " we love Hog football as long as it is a marquee game, on a weekend when we don't have anything else to do ". They never really just wanted Hog football or they would have never charged rent, would give up half the concessions and not make demands about which games they get.

[oldhawg]

I know that. But I wish they would. The NWA Razorbacks are not a statewide team and haven't been for awhile. LSU is just as close to many of us as Arkansas. They're both my teams. But neither is so very near and dear to me.  They're both just closer than most of the other major schools. I don't care if the door hits the hogs in the butt anymore. I'll watch and cheer on Game Day, but no team has my heart and soul anymore.

If your rudderless, become a fan of the Service Academies (or at least one).  Their teams won't lose for lack of effort.

[Piggfoot]

The only reason WMS does not play to a packed house is because NWA fans do not make the trip like the rest of the state does when games are played in Fayetteville. If you doubt that just observe interstate traffic. Be that as it may, It is time to move all games to Fayetteville.

[ricepig]

The only reason WMS does not play to a packed house is because NWA fans do not make the trip like the rest of the state does when games are played in Fayetteville. If you doubt that just observe interstate traffic. Be that as it may, It is time to move all games to Fayetteville.

Please provide a breakdown by county the number of season tickets held in each, if not, it's just a ridiculous guess. As to interstate traffic, it's busy all the time, lol.

[Inhogswetrust]

This issue died with me several years ago when the State and LR both whiffed on doing a Major remodel or build a new facility.

no

It never was cost effective to do any major remodel or build a new one for only a few games a year unless there were other teams playing there besides the Hogs and there weren't.

[GunnerHawg70]

Well, they've done everything they possibly could, to kill attendance.

Last SEC game I can remember there was Georgia. Did we play MSU there after that?

Since then, nothing but rent-a-wins.

And THIS one is on a weeknight. When you consider the WHOLE concept of WMS, was to make games more accessible to southern Hog fans....putting it on a Thursday kinda shoots that in the foot. Anyone who does want to come, has to take a four day weekend.

I played in that stadium. For Hall High School. It has memories.

But it's time to move on.

I can agree with all that it's time to move on.  I played there years ago against LR Catholic Rockets (Jacksonville Red Devil QB 1988), played in a Pre-season Jamboree which was awesome and it's a shame they don't have those any longer and watched the Miami Hurricanes dismantle the Hogs on a unofficial recruiting trip with my two buddies (one was the starting LB with me at J'ville and the other was the starting QB at NLR Ole Main Wildcats).  Good memories at that stadium but it's really time to focus on Fayetteville DWR and establish DWR to be mentioned in the same company as the Bryant-Denny's, Death Valley, Norman OK, The Horseshoe, The Swamp, B'twn the Hedges, etc...

[colbs]

I know that. But I wish they would. The NWA Razorbacks are not a statewide team and haven't been for awhile. LSU is just as close to many of us as Arkansas. They're both my teams. But neither is so very near and dear to me.  They're both just closer than most of the other major schools. I don't care if the door hits the hogs in the butt anymore. I'll watch and cheer on Game Day, but no team has my heart and soul anymore.

The U of A doesn't owe you anything.  At the end of the day they have to do what is best in their mind.  The fact is they lose money every time they play in LR.  They cannot host official visitors.  Even if they could I'm sure the recruits would rather see the place they could potentially spend the next 4 years of their life rather than a game in LR.  I wanted games to stay in LR for the longest but after the past 4 years of not being even able to sell the games out I'm fine with no more games in LR.

It's sad that you are not as big of a fan because of this.  If it was such s big deal for people why haven't they filled the stadium?  All I see are excuses(tickets are too high, Thursday game, playing against a bad team, etc.).  If some really wanted to go to the games they could.  I mean it didn't even sell out for the GA game.

[GuvHog]

I can agree with all that it's time to move on.  I played there years ago against LR Catholic Rockets (Jacksonville Red Devil QB 1988), played in a Pre-season Jamboree which was awesome and it's a shame they don't have those any longer and watched the Miami Hurricanes dismantle the Hogs on a unofficial recruiting trip with my two buddies (one was the starting LB with me at J'ville and the other was the starting QB at NLR Ole Main Wildcats).  Good memories at that stadium but it's really time to focus on Fayetteville DWR and establish DWR to be mentioned in the same company as the Bryant-Denny's, Death Valley, Norman OK, The Horseshoe, The Swamp, B'twn the Hedges, etc...

Name one SEC stadium that has at least the same amount of club seating and indoor seating that DWRRS will have when the latest expansion project is complete.

[colbs]

The only reason WMS does not play to a packed house is because NWA fans do not make the trip like the rest of the state does when games are played in Fayetteville. If you doubt that just observe interstate traffic. Be that as it may, It is time to move all games to Fayetteville.

Central Arkansas/Southern Arkansas population > than NWA population.  How many people just tailgate and never go into the game?  Also, it takes less people to fill up WMS.