Arkansas Fanbase: More Alumni or Non-Alumni?

[NuttinItUp]

Breaks down teams with non-alumni vs alumni fanbases:
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/6/2/8622799/college-fans-facebook-sidewalk-alumni

Although Arkansas didn't make it into  the lowest fan-to-student ratio, they were pretty close to making it at 9%, which is pretty easy to understand since the team captures the hearts and minds of most people in the state.

The section on rivalries between high fan-to-student ratio schools and low fan-to-student ratio schools is also interesting.

Here are all the power-conference schools:

School	Pct		School	Pct
Texas A&M	57%		Wake Forest	18%
Colorado	45%		Nebraska	16%
Boston College	37%		Stanford	15%
Mississippi State	35%		Clemson	15%
Texas Tech	34%		South Carolina	15%
California	34%		Washington	13%
Purdue	33%		Ohio State	13%
Illinois	32%		Kansas	13%
Virginia Tech	32%		Oklahoma	13%
Iowa State	30%		Arizona State	12%
Maryland	28%		Miami	11%
Oklahoma State	28%		Michigan	11%
Rutgers	28%		Syracuse	11%
Oregon State	27%		Iowa	11%
West Virginia	27%		TCU	11%
Virginia	26%		Tennessee	11%
UCLA	26%		Minnesota	11%
Washington State	26%		Missouri	11%
Baylor	25%		Vanderbilt	10%
Kansas State	25%		LSU	9%
Penn State	25%		Arkansas	9%
NC State	24%		Duke	9%
Indiana	24%		Northwestern	9%
Florida State	23%		Kentucky	9%
Louisville	23%		Alabama	8%
Utah	20%		Florida	8%
Georgia Tech	20%		Wisconsin	8%
Arizona	20%		Texas	8%
Auburn	20%		Georgia	7%
Michigan State	19%		Oregon	7%
Pittsburgh	19%		North Carolina	5%
Ole Miss	19%		Notre Dame	4%
USC	19%

[NuttinItUp]

You can see that the larger "state" powerhouse schools have a lot lower percentage because they have lots of fans outside of alumni.

Texas, Alabama, OU, Florida, etc.


The most surprising one is A&M. Given their recent success in increasing their popularity in Texas, they seem to be straddling the line and not decreasing their ratio very much. ("Best of both worlds"?)

[ricepig]

You can see that the larger "state" powerhouse schools have a lot lower percentage because they have lots of fans outside of alumni.

Texas, Alabama, OU, Florida, etc.


The most surprising one is A&M. Given their recent success in increasing their popularity in Texas, they seem to be straddling the line and not decreasing their ratio very much. ("Best of both worlds"?)

Nah, the only ones that could possibly like them are graduates.

[NuttinItUp]

Nah, the only ones that could possibly like them are graduates.

I know you are joking (or half-joking), but polls conducted in Texas have shown that they are more popular than the Longhorns now, likely partially as a result of their move to the SEC. (and partially that the Longhorns have been so horrible over the last few years)

http://austin.culturemap.com/news/sports/11-13-13-poll-aggies-beat-longhorns-popular-popularity-texas-college-sports/
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/texas-a-m-passes-texas-in-houston-050515
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/texas-am-overtakes-texas-longhorns-in-statewide-popularity-poll.html/

Now that may not mean as much to Arkansas folks, but to be the number one program in Texas in terms of popularity is a huge deal.

[tusksincolorado]

Nah, the only ones that could possibly like them are graduates.

Really...who would want to be associated with a AGGIE!? Except another AGGIE!

[BearsBisonsBoars]

It's based off of Facebook likes, so the data is going to be a little skewed.

Still an interesting find. Just don't read too much into it 

[Hogfaniam]

I read this as aluminum. Non aluminum vs aluminum. Thought we were talking about beer containers.  Wth?  Think I may go post in the embarrasing thread.

[BearsBisonsBoars]

I read this as aluminum. Non aluminum vs aluminum. Thought we were talking about beer containers.  Wth?  Think I may go post in the embarrasing thread.

Good compromise?
Beer out of aluminum taps into glass mugs.

[NuttinItUp]

I read this as aluminum. Non aluminum vs aluminum. Thought we were talking about beer containers.  Wth?  Think I may go post in the embarrasing thread.

it took me a second to understand what you were saying, haha.

alumni ≠ aluminum

[tusksincolorado]

I read this as aluminum. Non aluminum vs aluminum. Thought we were talking about beer containers.  Wth?  Think I may go post in the embarrasing thread.

Thank you for the chuckle this morning!

[wholehog92]

The most surprising one is A&M.

I disagree.  I think the most surprising in Vandy.  How the hell is only 10% of their fanbase alumni?  What have they done to attract a fan that hasn't attended the school?  Especially considering the marketing machine that is Tennessee in the hood.

[UAfanatic]

The most surprising one is A&M. Given their recent success in increasing their popularity in Texas, they seem to be straddling the line and not decreasing their ratio very much. ("Best of both worlds"?)

Not surprised at A&M.. it just seems like some kind of weird cult from the outside.. unless you went there.. or have family that did.

I can not picture someone jumping on board out of the blue, except the spike of media hype from Johnny Football.

[hoghiker]

Arkansas numbers seem about right. Maybe some high. Most of the Hog fans I know never attended a class at Arkansas. Still big fans.

[Hawgndaaz]

I'll put my pretentious U of A grad hat on. Being an alumni makes me more of a fan of the university as a whole, not just a hog fan.

[ricepig]

I'll put my pretentious U of A grad hat on. Being an alumni makes me more of a fan of the university as a whole, not just a hog fan.

Correct, I care that we have lost several top administrators to other universities over salary, hopefully their replacements are as good.

[GuvHog]

I know you are joking (or half-joking), but polls conducted in Texas have shown that they are more popular than the Longhorns now, likely partially as a result of their move to the SEC. (and partially that the Longhorns have been so horrible over the last few years)

http://austin.culturemap.com/news/sports/11-13-13-poll-aggies-beat-longhorns-popular-popularity-texas-college-sports/
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/outkick-the-coverage/texas-a-m-passes-texas-in-houston-050515
http://collegesportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/11/texas-am-overtakes-texas-longhorns-in-statewide-popularity-poll.html/

Now that may not mean as much to Arkansas folks, but to be the number one program in Texas in terms of popularity is a huge deal.

That's why the Longhorns fought to keep A&M from joining the SEC. As long as the Aggies had stayed in the same conference with the Longhorns, Texas would continue to be the #1 University in that state but they knew if the Aggies joined the SEC, there was a good possibility that the Aggies would pass them up which they have in both fan popularity and recruiting. One has to wonder lust how long the Longhorns will be content with being #2.

[NuttinItUp]

Arkansas numbers seem about right. Maybe some high. Most of the Hog fans I know never attended a class at Arkansas. Still big fans.

That is ok though. There are advantages to being able to reach beyond your alumni for recruiting, donations, etc. Also, it is something that people from all parts of the state can have in common.
There are also disadvantages, but we just won't talk about those, haha.

That's why the Longhorns fought to keep A&M from joining the SEC. As long as the Aggies had stayed in the same conference with the Longhorns, Texas would continue to be the #1 University in that state but they knew if the Aggies joined the SEC, there was a good possibility that the Aggies would pass them up which they have in both fan popularity and recruiting. One has to wonder lust how long the Longhorns will be content with being #2.

Agree. The Shorthorns don't like taking that back saddle.

[hawgmasta]

I disagree.  I think the most surprising in Vandy.  How the hell is only 10% of their fanbase alumni?  What have they done to attract a fan that hasn't attended the school?  Especially considering the marketing machine that is Tennessee in the hood.

There's a surprising number of Vandy fans in Nashville that didn't attend. I think for ones that grew up here that was a big draw; especially their baseball and basketball programs. When Franklin was the coach he was charismatic and had locals actually interested in the program.

[Pig in the Pokey]

nobody except aggie claims aggie haha

[Pig in the Pokey]

That is ok though. There are advantages to being able to reach beyond your alumni for recruiting, donations, etc. Also, it is something that people from all parts of the state can have in common.
There are also disadvantages, but we just won't talk about those, haha.



Agree. The Shorthorns don't like taking that back saddle.

they aren't really #2. no way state wide is aggie as popular as the whorn. they just aren't. but , yes, the gap closeth.

[NuttinItUp]

Mississippi State at 35% vs Ole Miss at 19% is another head scratcher.

[HogPound]

We all know that you aren't a real ARKANSAS razorback fan if you weren't an alum or live in or around the Midwestern city of Fayetteville.

[Locutus_of_Boar]

Good info, thanks.

One thing to keep in mind is that RRS filled to capacity could hold half of all the Arkansas graduates since 1871. 

9% is probably way too high.

[NaturalStateReb]

Good info, thanks.

One thing to keep in mind is that RRS filled to capacity could hold half of all the Arkansas graduates since 1871. 

9% is probably way too high.

Excellent point.  Plus, there just aren't many college graduates in Arkansas period when you compare it to other states.  When you think about the number of Hog fans in the state, and then think about the relatively low number of college graduates, I'm not surprised that it's low. 

[Vildsvin]

Excellent point.  Plus, there just aren't many college graduates in Arkansas period when you compare it to other states.  When you think about the number of Hog fans in the state, and then think about the relatively low number of college graduates, I'm not surprised that it's low.

I was beginning to wonder if someone was going to connect the dots.

[Iwastherein1969]

I went two years...then Pops said that a 2.785 grade point was not cutting the mustard.....pops graduated from the UA in '48 after serving in WWII and my older brother graduated in '76...so it was with considerable butt hurt Pops told me that it was time to get closer to home and get the ol' GPA up over 3.00 or the VISA would be cut off...I was given a choice, but I figured after two years of partying at Fayettenam in the middle of the powder cocaine generation, I had finally attended my last social event at the frat house.  Came home to my HS girlfriend who graduated that year, got married two years later and got my sheepskin in Finance and Psychology (double major) from SAU in Magnolia. Question to the OP, would you consider my experiences at the UA enough to be in the 'sorta alumni' column, or the no, but kinda column, or the "hell no, you didn't stick it out like the rest of us" column ?  I've been wanting to get an opinion on this for a quite some time, now.

[hoghiker]

I went two years...then Pops said that a 2.785 grade point was not cutting the mustard.....pops graduated from the UA in '48 after serving in WWII and my older brother graduated in '76...so it was with considerable butt hurt Pops told me that it was time to get closer to home and get the ol' GPA up over 3.00 or the VISA would be cut off...I was given a choice, but I figured after two years of partying at Fayettenam in the middle of the powder cocaine generation, I had finally attended my last social event at the frat house.  Came home to my HS girlfriend who graduated that year, got married two years later and got my sheepskin in Finance and Psychology (double major) from SAU in Magnolia. Question to the OP, would you consider my experiences at the UA enough to be in the 'sorta alumni' column, or the no, but kinda column, or the "hell no, you didn't stick it out like the rest of us" column ?  I've been wanting to get an opinion on this for a quite some time, now.

Two years gives you some street cred. My sister attended UA for two years then followed her husband to Okie Lite. She still considers her self a UA girl. I occasionally give her some good natured crap about be a cowpoke.

[Vildsvin]

2.785 grade point

I like to party as much as the next guy but dang!

[DeltaBoy]

I wentto UALR. cause that is when the money was.

[ricepig]

I think it would be more insulting to ask a Razorback fan if they were an alumni. They might get the false impression that i thought they had to be to be a fan. Most Razorback fans are not alumni of the UofA.

I enjoy discussing Razorback athletics with Razorback fans, that is why I come here, to get the scoop on Razorback athletics. This is my primary source of all things Razorbacks.

Yeah, someone shouldn't put out false impressions.......

[Cinco de Hogo]

Pretty much the day a normal everyday Razorback fan becomes unimportant to the U of A is the day they just as well cease all athletic endeavors.  We have a problem getting respect now because of the size of our state.  If you lost 95% of the fans why would ESPN every televise a game.  And please, I doubt that the percentage of grads that watch a game is any higher if as high a the normal fan.

Note that I'm inferring that grads are not normal.

[MJ2]

I'm a U of A grad, however in all my working years, I have to admit that most all of my co workers were NOT U of A grads, but virtually all call themselves Hog fans.   If I had to guess, something less than 5% of the people I have worked around/with have been U of A grads.   Also, I think the drop out rate at the U of A is waaaaayyyy higher than the other 4 year schools in the state.

[Seminole Indian]

I'm a U of A grad, however in all my working years, I have to admit that most all of my co workers were NOT U of A grads, but virtually all call themselves Hog fans.   If I had to guess, something less than 5% of the people I have worked around/with have been U of A grads.   Also, I think the drop out rate at the U of A is waaaaayyyy higher than the other 4 year schools in the state.

I think most people have similar experiences.

As far as the drop out-rate, I know a few ASU students that went down the tube as a result of the UofA being a party school many years ago. I was almost one because my girlfriend was a student at the UofA.

I was lucky she dumped me for someone who dumped her.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

Mississippi State at 35% vs Ole Miss at 19% is another head scratcher.

Not really.  It just means OM has more T-shirt fans.  If the person in the state has no connection to any school they are going to pull for OM.  OM has been the traditionally stronger program.  I'm talking last 80 years not last 20.  So my grand pappy was an OM fan my pappy was an OM fan so I'm an OM fan.  Have I ever been within 100 miles of Oxford?  No. 

I lived in MS for 10 years and saw this first hand.  Some of the most ignorant non educated people I knew were OM fans even though actual OM alumni wouldn't give them the time of day.  I'd hazard a guess that if they didn't have 2 P5 schools in the state that OM's% would be in the low single digits. 

[Seminole Indian]

Not really.  It just means OM has more T-shirt fans.  If the person in the state has no connection to any school they are going to pull for OM.  OM has been the traditionally stronger program.  I'm talking last 80 years not last 20.  So my grand pappy was an OM fan my pappy was an OM fan so I'm an OM fan.  Have I ever been within 100 miles of Oxford?  No. 

I lived in MS for 10 years and saw this first hand.  Some of the most ignorant non educated people I knew were OM fans even though actual OM alumni wouldn't give them the time of day. I'd hazard a guess that if they didn't have 2 P5 schools in the state that OM's% would be in the low single digits.

Great post, and IMO pretty darn accurate.

Now just substitute Arkansas for Ole Miss, apply it to this state, and you have nailed the average Razorback Fan, and that is a fact, like it are not.

Don't worry there will not be another P5 School in Arkansas.

Forgot to add.........what is wrong with being THE team by default? I don't see many downsides.

[Rison Razor Hog]

Not really.  It just means OM has more T-shirt fans.  If the person in the state has no connection to any school they are going to pull for OM.  OM has been the traditionally stronger program.  I'm talking last 80 years not last 20.  So my grand pappy was an OM fan my pappy was an OM fan so I'm an OM fan.  Have I ever been within 100 miles of Oxford?  No. 

I lived in MS for 10 years and saw this first hand.  Some of the most ignorant non educated people I knew were OM fans even though actual OM alumni wouldn't give them the time of day.  I'd hazard a guess that if they didn't have 2 P5 schools in the state that OM's% would be in the low single digits. 

Great post, and IMO pretty darn accurate.

Now just substitute Arkansas for Ole Miss, apply it to this state, and you have nailed the average Razorback Fan, and that is a fact, like it are not.

Don't worry there will not be another P5 School in Arkansas.

Forgot to add.........what is wrong with being THE team by default?

I guess I am wondering why the pejorative attitude on people that are not alumni being fans. If it is the intent to presume that a non-alumnus is somehow a toothless hillbilly Arkie and that all the "blessed" UofA grads are glitterati that are better than the rest of the fans, well, that is elitist at the best and laughable at the worst, since only in Arkansas would a UofA grad think he or she wasn't a toothless hillbilly. Everywhere else in the country, they think we marry our cousins and we all have "done gradiated the sixth grade."

Come down off your half-pulpit.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

I guess I am wondering why the pejorative attitude on people that are not alumni being fans. If it is the intent to presume that a non-alumnus is somehow a toothless hillbilly Arkie and that all the "blessed" UofA grads are glitterati that are better than the rest of the fans, well, that is elitist at the best and laughable at the worst, since only in Arkansas would a UofA grad think he or she wasn't a toothless hillbilly. Everywhere else in the country, they think we marry our cousins and we all have "done gradiated the sixth grade."

Come down off your half-pulpit.

Note, I did not say that except specifically for Ole Miss.  Arkansas get's a lot of fans by default because their is no other P5 school in the state. 

In Mississippi fans could choose OM or MSU but a much higher % of non alumni fans choose OM, and was giving first hand knowledge of the one's that I know.

[Rison Razor Hog]

Note, I did not say that except specifically for Ole Miss.  Arkansas get's a lot of fans by default because their is no other P5 school in the state. 

In Mississippi fans could choose OM or MSU but a much higher % of non alumni fans choose OM, and was giving first hand knowledge of the one's that I know.

Well, if you're making fun of Mississippi, then, that's perfectly understandable, lol!

[Seminole Indian]

I guess I am wondering why the pejorative attitude on people that are not alumni being fans. If it is the intent to presume that a non-alumnus is somehow a toothless hillbilly Arkie and that all the "blessed" UofA grads are glitterati that are better than the rest of the fans, well, that is elitist at the best and laughable at the worst, since only in Arkansas would a UofA grad think he or she wasn't a toothless hillbilly. Everywhere else in the country, they think we marry our cousins and we all have "done gradiated the sixth grade."

Come down off your half-pulpit.

Stating the opinion that based on ones experience that most Razorback fans are not alumni of the UofA, or most people that call themselves Razorback fans  have never attended a Razorback athletic event IMO does not require anyone to "Come down off your half-pulpit.".

That the first post nails the average Razorback fan one will encounter in Arkansas's is probably inevitable based on who and what the average Arkansan is.

I still don't think that those in attendance at a  Razorback athletic event are truly representative of the majority of Razorback fans. In fact I would not be surprised if  the non-Arkansas alumni did not outnumber the Arkansas Alumni in attendance, and i don't see the problem with that either.

Again just observations and opinions appropriate to what this thread is about and not a put down to anyone.

[TexHog188]

I'm the only U of A grad in my family, but we are all Hog fans to the core. Counting my brother and sisters and their families, we are about 15 people. 1/15 is a low alumni rate.

[ricepig]

There's no doubt that any school has more alumni fans, than non, except I guess for some Ivy league type.

[Cinco de Hogo]

There's no doubt that any school has more alumni fans, than non, except I guess for some Ivy league type.

Did you misspeak?  Or am I dense?

[ricepig]

Did you misspeak?  Or am I dense?

I meant it the other way around, lol.

[JansterZ71]

Sidewalk fans are a necessary evil IMO. 

[Hogwild]

Texas A&M   57%                           
Colorado   45%      
Boston College   37%      
Mississippi State      35%      
Texas Tech   34%      
California   34%      
Purdue   33%      
Illinois   32%      
Virginia Tech   32%      
Iowa State   30%   

Not surprising if you think about it, who would want to be a fan of one of those schools unless you went to one of those schools.

[hoghiker]

Most Hogs fans I know didn't attend UA. I've never considered them lesser fans than I. They are fans. I'm not sure why anyone would want to make the distinction.

[Inhogswetrust]

What I found most interesting is the last graphic. Notice how in those states that the program that historically has the better team is less alums. I do haver to wonder IF that historical winning changed over time if the percentage would as well. I'd bet it would. Kind of the old saying "everyone loves a winner".

[jesterzzn]

I guess I am wondering why the pejorative attitude on people that are not alumni being fans.

The attitude stems from the majority of non-alumni caring little for the actual students and university and the athletic departments being forced to straddle the line between what is best for the long term interests of those groups and what is purely best for wins and loses.

Some alumni turn that into snobbery and elitist mentality, but not all.  And while I don't like that attitude, I do understand how they got there.  It is difficult to read some of the bull that is posted on these forums by people that could not give one chit in the world about what happens outside the football stadium, at least not without sounding like an elitist scumbag.

[popcornhog]

I went two years...then Pops said that a 2.785 grade point was not cutting the mustard.....pops graduated from the UA in '48 after serving in WWII and my older brother graduated in '76...so it was with considerable butt hurt Pops told me that it was time to get closer to home and get the ol' GPA up over 3.00 or the VISA would be cut off...I was given a choice, but I figured after two years of partying at Fayettenam in the middle of the powder cocaine generation, I had finally attended my last social event at the frat house.  Came home to my HS girlfriend who graduated that year, got married two years later and got my sheepskin in Finance and Psychology (double major) from SAU in Magnolia. Question to the OP, would you consider my experiences at the UA enough to be in the 'sorta alumni' column, or the no, but kinda column, or the "hell no, you didn't stick it out like the rest of us" column ?  I've been wanting to get an opinion on this for a quite some time, now.

Technically, you ARE an alumnus of the UA. Having attended counts.

I did not realize that until a couple of years ago. Between undergrad, law school, and study abroad and classes at community college -- I am technically an alumnus of the UA, UALR, Oxford, UACCB, and OU. But I really only consider myself an alumnus of the UA and UALR as those are the institutions where I earned degrees.

Like you, I had a sub 3.0 gpa my first year in Fayetteville and got yanked home to community college to straighten myself out.

Anyone who thinks that you had to graduate from the UA to be a real fan is an idiot.

[PonderinHog]

I meant it the other way around, lol.

There's that post-secondary edumacation working for you again...