Spring game in WMS April 7th

[twistitup]

Too early to tell, I guess. Just another example of central Arkansas and southeast Arkansas getting shafted by the man.

I heard Jeff Long lobbied to move Riverfest to Fort Smith to become RiverValleyFest but he was overruled. Don't quote me on that though.

They need to do a better job of marketing down there and CBB is out of a job-----He did develop the throwing of the A and the Front Facing Hog.

[Hawgphat]

Traffic control is atrocious in Fayetteville; last time I did that didn't get to the hotel until 1230 AM.

My point was that for many families the money is not going to work to go to game after game 3+ hours from home.

Where do you spend your fan points?

ALL major sporting events - collegiate or professional - are relatively expensive; that's the nature of the beast in the modern era.  As to how many "dedicated fans" choose to commit to a significant expenditure of their disposable income outlays in game tickets,travel expenses, lodging, food & beverage splurges and peripheral entertainment pursuits, I have no means by which to gauge such elective propensities.

I am a 72-year-old loyal Arkansas Razorbacks fan of over a half century of devotion.  I am retired and living in Southeast Oklahoma.  The last Razorbacks football game I attended in person was about fifteen years ago.  I've been to three Spring "games" in Fayetteville during the past decade, - - the last being 3 years ago.  I did not like the non game format, and have not been moved to attend another Spring "game' since; but that fact does NOT mean that I am any less a Hogs fan.

As for "fan points", I don't consider such considerations to be applicable to me.  I hope to attend another Arkansas Razorbacks football game soon - hopefully this season.  My younger brother lives about eight miles south of Fayettevile, just a half mile off Hwy 71, so accommodations don't pose a problem for me.

I surmise that overall cost factors are different for differing fans, in that some fans who may be non partying, non drinking folk who may choose to stay at Motel 6 and dine at McDonald's, Taco Bueno or Pizza Hut may very well spend significantly less for their overall "game experience" weekend than the all-out, dedicated party-crowd upper-crust social animal patrons of seafood, high-end steak emporium eateries and high-dollar nighttime entertainment spots.

It's a "judgement call"; - - some fans persist in exercising "good judgement", - - - and some fans don't.

[LZH]

Yeah, we're not a group to give up our support because we have to drive a little further, or aren't winning as much as we'd like. I guess some are bandwagon fans........

Who said anything about giving up support?

[ricepig]

Who said anything about giving up support?

So...we haven't lost any supporters, good. I was thinking you were trying to say by not playing a certain amount of games in WMS, that we had lost some supporters.

[Porkys Revenge]

So...we haven't lost any supporters, good. I was thinking you were trying to say by not playing a certain amount of games in WMS, that we had lost some supporters.

Any time we were relevant in football, we had great players from Central Arkansas. Any chance we get to make an impression on future Hogs from that area, we should take it. For those of you that can't grasp that, bless your heart.

[Inhogswetrust]

Any time we were relevant in football, we had great players from Central Arkansas. Any chance we get to make an impression on future Hogs from that area, we should take it. For those of you that can't grasp that, bless your heart.

True but that doesn't mean we have to play 20 games a year in WMS just to get them all.

[ricepig]

Any time we were relevant in football, we had great players from Central Arkansas. Any chance we get to make an impression on future Hogs from that area, we should take it. For those of you that can't grasp that, bless your heart.

Outside of KJ and Tenpenny, I can't think of a central Arkansas player we haven't gotten lately, can you?

I didn't realize the 2 1/2 hour drive was the difference maker, I guess no one else can make an impression on them either, being further away......

[bphi11ips]

It's all good my friend, just offering a different opinion. 😉

Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is snarky about them.  It's the attitude that creates the divisiveness. 

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate.  The strength of your point about signing most central Arkansas players offered is weakened by your sarcasm.  The counter is that Arkansas is still playing in Little Rock, so neither you nor anyone else knows what effect moving out completely will have on future generations.  What we do know is that Darren McFadden grew up when 3 or 4 games were played in central Arkansas.  We know where "501" came from.  That had been NWA's area code also for most of his life.  To DMac, there was no difference between home and Fayetteville.  He had that sense of ownership we all have.  Will that sense be diminished if no games are played in central Arkansas?  Probably. Should it be?  Maybe not, but this is a practical issue, not a matter of principle. 

It is possible to discuss issues without being sarcastic and dismissive of others' opinions.  It is also possible to accept the decisions of the BOT, President and AD without whining or hurling insults at WMS, central Arkansas or the many fans who have been tailgating at the Royal and Ancient War Memorial Golf Course for years.  Maybe the contract will be extended and maybe it won't.  Not much is going to change either way as long as it is handled correctly.  Long and Bielema put on a clinic in how not to handle a delicate political situation privately and publicly. If nothing else, the issue is likely to be handled with more public deference to the contribution made by generations of loyal fans and alumni who did not reside in NWA. 

[liljo]

Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is snarky about them.  It's the attitude that creates the divisiveness. 

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate.  The strength of your point about signing most central Arkansas players offered is weakened by your sarcasm.  The counter is that Arkansas is still playing in Little Rock, so neither you nor anyone else knows what effect moving out completely will have on future generations.  What we do know is that Darren McFadden grew up when 3 or 4 games were played in central Arkansas.  We know where "501" came from.  That had been NWA's area code also for most of his life.  To DMac, there was no difference between home and Fayetteville.  He had that sense of ownership we all have.  Will that sense be diminished if no games are played in central Arkansas?  Probably. Should it be?  Maybe not, but this is a practical issue, not a matter of principle. 

It is possible to discuss issues without being sarcastic and dismissive of others' opinions.  It is also possible to accept the decisions of the BOT, President and AD without whining or hurling insults at WMS, central Arkansas or the many fans who have been tailgating at the Royal and Ancient War Memorial Golf Course for years.  Maybe the contract will be extended and maybe it won't.  Not much is going to change either way as long as it is handled correctly.  Long and Bielema put on a clinic in how not to handle a delicate political situation privately and publicly. If nothing else, the issue is likely to be handled with more public deference to the contribution made by generations of loyal fans and alumni who did not reside in NWA.

TOUCHDOWN!
+1

[AirWarren]

Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is snarky about them.  It's the attitude that creates the divisiveness. 

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate.  The strength of your point about signing most central Arkansas players offered is weakened by your sarcasm.  The counter is that Arkansas is still playing in Little Rock, so neither you nor anyone else knows what effect moving out completely will have on future generations.  What we do know is that Darren McFadden grew up when 3 or 4 games were played in central Arkansas.  We know where "501" came from.  That had been NWA's area code also for most of his life.  To DMac, there was no difference between home and Fayetteville.  He had that sense of ownership we all have.  Will that sense be diminished if no games are played in central Arkansas?  Probably. Should it be?  Maybe not, but this is a practical issue, not a matter of principle. 

It is possible to discuss issues without being sarcastic and dismissive of others' opinions.  It is also possible to accept the decisions of the BOT, President and AD without whining or hurling insults at WMS, central Arkansas or the many fans who have been tailgating at the Royal and Ancient War Memorial Golf Course for years.  Maybe the contract will be extended and maybe it won't.  Not much is going to change either way as long as it is handled correctly.  Long and Bielema put on a clinic in how not to handle a delicate political situation privately and publicly. If nothing else, the issue is likely to be handled with more public deference to the contribution made by generations of loyal fans and alumni who did not reside in NWA.

Too much sense in this post.

Most of these hillbilly bumpkins have a reading level equivalent to a 3rd grader.

[oldhawg]

Most of these hillbilly bumpkins have a reading level equivalent to a 3rd grader.

Hmmmm.  That's quite a broad brush stroke.  Perhaps you would consider using something with a finer point.

[Inhogswetrust]

Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is snarky about them.  It's the attitude that creates the divisiveness. 

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate.  The strength of your point about signing most central Arkansas players offered is weakened by your sarcasm.  The counter is that Arkansas is still playing in Little Rock, so neither you nor anyone else knows what effect moving out completely will have on future generations.  What we do know is that Darren McFadden grew up when 3 or 4 games were played in central Arkansas.  We know where "501" came from.  That had been NWA's area code also for most of his life.  To DMac, there was no difference between home and Fayetteville.  He had that sense of ownership we all have.  Will that sense be diminished if no games are played in central Arkansas?  Probably. Should it be?  Maybe not, but this is a practical issue, not a matter of principle. 

It is possible to discuss issues without being sarcastic and dismissive of others' opinions.  It is also possible to accept the decisions of the BOT, President and AD without whining or hurling insults at WMS, central Arkansas or the many fans who have been tailgating at the Royal and Ancient War Memorial Golf Course for years.  Maybe the contract will be extended and maybe it won't.  Not much is going to change either way as long as it is handled correctly.  Long and Bielema put on a clinic in how not to handle a delicate political situation privately and publicly. If nothing else, the issue is likely to be handled with more public deference to the contribution made by generations of loyal fans and alumni who did not reside in NWA. 

However we cannot be afraid of what "might" be the effect of anything. Heck there might not be any effect at all. If one is afraid of making changes due to some perceived "effect" without knowing what that effect might be then nothing would ever change in any scenario of business, society, etc. I also don't believe it is "delicate" in nature. Is it a news thing yes. Not matter how it is handled and no matter what is done someone on the "losing" side is going to make a big deal out of it. But that doesn't make it a "delicate" issue.

[ricepig]

Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is snarky about them.  It's the attitude that creates the divisiveness. 

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate.  The strength of your point about signing most central Arkansas players offered is weakened by your sarcasm.  The counter is that Arkansas is still playing in Little Rock, so neither you nor anyone else knows what effect moving out completely will have on future generations.  What we do know is that Darren McFadden grew up when 3 or 4 games were played in central Arkansas.  We know where "501" came from.  That had been NWA's area code also for most of his life.  To DMac, there was no difference between home and Fayetteville.  He had that sense of ownership we all have.  Will that sense be diminished if no games are played in central Arkansas?  Probably. Should it be?  Maybe not, but this is a practical issue, not a matter of principle. 

It is possible to discuss issues without being sarcastic and dismissive of others' opinions.  It is also possible to accept the decisions of the BOT, President and AD without whining or hurling insults at WMS, central Arkansas or the many fans who have been tailgating at the Royal and Ancient War Memorial Golf Course for years.  Maybe the contract will be extended and maybe it won't.  Not much is going to change either way as long as it is handled correctly.  Long and Bielema put on a clinic in how not to handle a delicate political situation privately and publicly. If nothing else, the issue is likely to be handled with more public deference to the contribution made by generations of loyal fans and alumni who did not reside in NWA. 

It's a message board, lighten up Francis, this decision won't be based on some sarcastic post by me, or some tl;dr post by you. I wonder where you, or any other poster who doesn't reside in NWA, thinks you speak for all of us? As I've stated numerous times, the BOT will make the final decision on this, it wouldn't have mattered who the AD or HC was.

[Inhogswetrust]

It's a message board, lighten up Francis, this decision won't be based on some sarcastic post by me, or some tl;dr post by you. I wonder where you, or any other poster who doesn't reside in NWA, thinks you speak for all of us? As I've stated numerous times, the BOT will make the final decision on this, it wouldn't have mattered who the AD or HC was.

I thought it was counter to his point when he called War Memorial Park golf course "Royal and Ancient". I'm sure there could be some people at the place that is the true "Royal and Ancient " that would take offense to that and have a divisive attitude that he doesn't want.

[AirWarren]

WOW...that's a deminted and ass back word assessment right there. You can tell you are in LR by all the crime, gangs, and carjackings...fixed that for ya....

http://5newsonline.com/2017/04/26/fayetteville-police-searching-for-armed-robbery-suspect/

http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/armed-robbery-on-garland-avenue/844003497

http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/fayetteville-shooting-suspect-arrested-linked-to-armed-robbery/835987348

http://5newsonline.com/2017/03/17/three-teens-arrested-after-armed-robbery-of-springdale-liquor-store-police-say/

http://www.uatrav.com/news/article_f5e26874-d460-11e6-a47b-c3f54f9ab8b7.html

http://5newsonline.com/2016/12/11/fayetteville-police-search-for-shooting-suspect/

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/jan/29/fayetteville-shootings-suspect-arrested/

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/oct/17/11-arkansas-residents-arrested-prostitution-sting-/?f=news-arkansas

http://5newsonline.com/2017/08/18/nine-arrested-for-drug-trafficking-in-northwest-arkansas/

http://5newsonline.com/2014/10/31/nwa-drug-agents-make-methamphetamine-trafficking-bust/

http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/fox-24/springdale-man-sentenced-for-drug-trafficking-1/911169156

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdar/pr/northwest-arkansas-pair-sentenced-71-months-federal-prison-drug-trafficking

http://www.freeweekly.com/2016/12/08/sex-trafficking-in-arkansas-continues-to-be-a-concern/

https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/littlerock/press-releases/2014/four-men-sentenced-to-a-total-of-more-than-40-years-in-prison-for-drug-trafficking-in-northwest-arkansas

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2018/jan/01/one-man-killed-in-fayetteville-shooting/

http://www.nwahomepage.com/news/one-arrested-in-fayetteville-shooting/855138613

http://5newsonline.com/2015/04/13/final-two-suspects-arrested-in-deadly-drive-by-shooting-in-springdale/

http://www.arkansasmatters.com/news/ar-local/update-1-dead-2-hurt-in-springdale-apartment-complex-shooting/163373296

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2017/oct/05/teen-shot-in-springdale-20171004-1/

http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/mar/13/springdale-police-investigate-shooting/

http://5newsonline.com/2017/10/28/two-juveniles-arrested-in-a-bentonville-shooting/

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2018/jan/06/police-bust-two-in-drug-trafficking-inv/

http://fav-meth-head-of-the-day.com/2016/11/03/federal-indictments-lead-to-northwest-arkansas-arrests-of-15-women-and-men-for-methamphetamine-trafficking/







Illegal Drug Trafficking in Northwest Arkansas among worst in USA






Here's a top ranking that the local business boosters won't put in their new brochure: 



Benton County and Washington County in Northwest Arkansas continues to rank in the top forty counties in the U.S., according to the Federal Government's latest report.



The "Top 40" ranking provides additional federal resources to designated areas to work toward eliminating drug trafficking. Law enforcement organizations within HIDTA assess drug trafficking problems and design specific initiatives to reduce or eliminate the production, manufacture, transportation, distribution and chronic use of illegal drugs and money laundering.



According to the Feds, Washington County is a primary destination of Mexican drug trafficking organizations and a distribution center of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and illegal aliens for the entire Midwestern United States. Its major highways, which include U.S. 71/Interstate 540 and U.S. 412, provide east/west and north/ south routes bypassing many major metropolitan cities.



The city of Fayetteville on behalf of the task force, is seeking $249,991 to fund one full-time investigator, 1,120 hours of overtime to be split between eight drug investigators over the two-year grant period and two undercover vehicles to combat drug trafficking and related drug crimes.



"This is a nonmatching grant, so we don't have to gain approval from the City Council," Fed Agent Cohea said. "It just has to be approved by city staff, and they've already signed off on it."



If the grant is approved, the drug task force specifically hopes to use federal funding to develop and use 20 confidential informants and respond to at least 25 highway seizures using allocated overtime to gather intelligence and conduct post-seizure investigations. Investigators also plan to identify at least 10 drug trafficking operations within Washington County, five of which they aim to disrupt.



Not YET to Little Rock's troubles by any means........but for a NWA metro area of 525,032 residents compared to Little Rock's metro area of 905,847 residents....looks like the little sister of Arkansas is attempting to do a fine job at keeping up with the Jones' as they say......

[Piggfoot]

Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone is snarky about them.  It's the attitude that creates the divisiveness. 

There are good arguments on both sides of this debate.  The strength of your point about signing most central Arkansas players offered is weakened by your sarcasm.  The counter is that Arkansas is still playing in Little Rock, so neither you nor anyone else knows what effect moving out completely will have on future generations.  What we do know is that Darren McFadden grew up when 3 or 4 games were played in central Arkansas.  We know where "501" came from.  That had been NWA's area code also for most of his life.  To DMac, there was no difference between home and Fayetteville.  He had that sense of ownership we all have.  Will that sense be diminished if no games are played in central Arkansas?  Probably. Should it be?  Maybe not, but this is a practical issue, not a matter of principle. 

It is possible to discuss issues without being sarcastic and dismissive of others' opinions.  It is also possible to accept the decisions of the BOT, President and AD without whining or hurling insults at WMS, central Arkansas or the many fans who have been tailgating at the Royal and Ancient War Memorial Golf Course for years.  Maybe the contract will be extended and maybe it won't.  Not much is going to change either way as long as it is handled correctly.  Long and Bielema put on a clinic in how not to handle a delicate political situation privately and publicly. If nothing else, the issue is likely to be handled with more public deference to the contribution made by generations of loyal fans and alumni who did not reside in NWA. 

Surely you are not insinuating the 501 tattoo was a reference to NWA since McFadden grew up in Pulaski county. How do you know to D-Mac there was no difference between NWA and Little Rock? I think your statements are fiction.

[Inhogswetrust]

NWA has a much higher percentage of transplants than any other area of Arkansas

Because in a lot of the other areas of Arkansas people are moving out instead of in.....................

[bphi11ips]

Surely you are not insinuating the 501 tattoo was a reference to NWA since McFadden grew up in Pulaski county. How do you know to D-Mac there was no difference between NWA and Little Rock? I think your statements are fiction.

You missed the point.  DMac himself said the "501" reference was a symbol of his pride in Arkansas and the Razorbacks.  "501" was the only area code ever used in Arkansas until DMac was 10.  It was the area code in NWA until he was 15.

The point is that DMac saw no distinction between NWA and Little Rock.  In his mind, everyone was an Arkansan and a Razorbacks fan.  That's the way generations of Arkansans have grown up, and a big part of that was that the front porch of the University was smack dab in the middle of the state 3 or 4 times a year in highly visible public events for over 50 years.  It is that sense of ownership that he grew up with. Anyone who doesn't understand the impact those games had on kids doesn't know or care about what it was like to grow up there.       

[bphi11ips]

Because in a lot of the other areas of Arkansas people are moving out instead of in.....................

No it's not...

[bphi11ips]

It's a message board, lighten up Francis, this decision won't be based on some sarcastic post by me, or some tl;dr post by you. I wonder where you, or any other poster who doesn't reside in NWA, thinks you speak for all of us? As I've stated numerous times, the BOT will make the final decision on this, it wouldn't have mattered who the AD or HC was.

I've never suggested that I speak for anyone but myself or that I or you have or any single person, much less anyone here, have the ability to influence the ultimate decision on this issue.  However, I can provide a perspective from the viewpoint of one who grew up in Little Rock as a rabid fan in the late 60's through the late 80's as part of a family who had season tickets in Little Rock and Fayetteville before WMS was built.  We went to all the games.

Many of my family were alumni.  Eventually I became one.  I grew up with and have a LOT of friends who share my background and experience.  I can tell you that many of them feel the same way I do. 

I don't have a dog in this fight other than as an alum and a fan.  I have lived far enough away for 25 years that home games for me have not been more than a once per year event.  I have attended more games in Knoxville, Nashville, Opelika, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Lexington, Oxford, Columbia (SC) and Athens than I have in Fayetteville.  I've gone to more games in Fayetteville than Little Rock since moving to Nashville.  The point is that I don't have a vested interest in where games are played in Arkansas.  I like the new stadium much better.  I also see good reasons for keeping a quality game in Little Rock. 

I believe there are many Razorbacks fans who share my opinions, and I believe many of them have been speaking for themselves here and elsewhere.           

[bphi11ips]

I thought it was counter to his point when he called War Memorial Park golf course "Royal and Ancient". I'm sure there could be some people at the place that is the true "Royal and Ancient " that would take offense to that and have a divisive attitude that he doesn't want.

I'm sure we have a lot of season ticket-holders in Scotland. 

Maybe it was just a little levity inserted in a tl;dr post. 

[ricepig]

I've never suggested that I speak for anyone but myself or that I or you have or any single person, much less anyone here, have the ability to influence the ultimate decision on this issue.  However, I can provide a perspective from the viewpoint of one who grew up in Little Rock as a rabid fan in the late 60's through the late 80's as part of a family who had season tickets in Little Rock and Fayetteville before WMS was built.  We went to all the games.

Many of my family were alumni.  Eventually I became one.  I grew up with and have a LOT of friends who share my background and experience.  I can tell you that many of them feel the same way I do. 

I don't have a dog in this fight other than as an alum and a fan.  I have lived far enough away for 25 years that home games for me have not been more than a once per year event.  I have attended more games in Knoxville, Nashville, Opelika, Tuscaloosa, Starkville, Lexington, Oxford, Columbia (SC) and Athens than I have in Fayetteville.  I've gone to more games in Fayetteville than Little Rock since moving to Nashville.  The point is that I don't have a vested interest in where games are played in Arkansas.  I like the new stadium much better.  I also see good reasons for keeping a quality game in Little Rock. 

I believe there are many Razorbacks fans who share my opinions, and I believe many of them have been speaking for themselves here and elsewhere.           

My Dad and Uncle had season tickets since the mid 60's on the 45 on the East side, I provide the view point of a fan who went to games there and in Fayetteville. We had to to travel to both locations, I understand who the fans are. I think that circumstances have greatly changed since those days and that travel, stadium size, student enrollment growth, necessitates that the home games be played on campus in the larger stadium.

[GuvHog]

You missed the point.  DMac himself said the "501" reference was a symbol of his pride in Arkansas and the Razorbacks.  "501" was the only area code ever used in Arkansas until DMac was 10.  It was the area code in NWA until he was 15.

The point is that DMac saw no distinction between NWA and Little Rock.  In his mind, everyone was an Arkansan and a Razorbacks fan.  That's the way generations of Arkansans have grown up, and a big part of that was that the front porch of the University was smack dab in the middle of the state 3 or 4 times a year in highly visible public events for over 50 years.  It is that sense of ownership that he grew up with. Anyone who doesn't understand the impact those games had on kids doesn't know or care about what it was like to grow up there.       

Link?? I heard him tell an ESPN reporter something different.

[Inhogswetrust]

No it's not...

So does south and east Arkansas have as many people as they did 50, 40, 30 or even 20 years ago? Many towns/counties including the one were I was born have dropped in population.

Try this quote from a population data website:

Arkansas has seen both increases and decreases across its counties from the time of the 2010 Census until the US Census Bureau's estimates in 2015. Four counties saw significant increases, with the northeaster county of Benton seeing the highest increase in population by 11.96%. Washington County, located directly south of Benton County, posted growth of 10.51%. In the center of the state, Saline County had 9.09% growth during the 5-year period, while Craighead County in the northeastern region of Arkansas had growth of 7.89%. Faulkner County and Lonoke County saw smaller, yet still respectable growth, while other counties that grew include White county and Greene County.

Just as there has been population growth, some Arkansas counties have seen decreases in population between 2010 and 2015. All but two counties located along the eastern border have seen declines in population. This includes Phillips County (9.95% decrease), Desha County (7.71% decrease), and Lee County (6.98% decrease.) Sevier County and Scott County along the western border saw negative growth, as well as Lafayette County to the south, amongst others.

[Inhogswetrust]

I'm sure we have a lot of season ticket-holders in Scotland. 

Maybe it was just a little levity inserted in a tl;dr post. 

I thought you might be joking a little but sometimes some people read stuff and wonder. They could have read that and thought you though it was a great golf course. It isn't even a good public course. Yes I've played it. Will not again.

[Porkys Revenge]

Anyone remember the stadium CBB was walking into when he fell to the pavement on all fours? Just curious.

[steveaustin69]

Anyone remember the stadium CBB was walking into when he fell to the pavement on all fours? Just curious.

Can't really remember, but looks like Fayetteville. Best thing to come out of his tenure.

[RME]

Anyone remember the stadium CBB was walking into when he fell to the pavement on all fours? Just curious.

[GuvHog]

So does south and east Arkansas have as many people as they did 50, 40, 30 or even 20 years ago? Many towns/counties including the one were I was born have dropped in population.

Thy this quote:

Arkansas has seen both increases and decreases across its counties from the time of the 2010 Census until the US Census Bureau's estimates in 2015. Four counties saw significant increases, with the northeaster county of Benton seeing the highest increase in population by 11.96%. Washington County, located directly south of Benton County, posted growth of 10.51%. In the center of the state, Saline County had 9.09% growth during the 5-year period, while Craighead County in the northeastern region of Arkansas had growth of 7.89%. Faulkner County and Lonoke County saw smaller, yet still respectable growth, while other counties that grew include White county and Greene County.

Just as there has been population growth, some Arkansas counties have seen decreases in population between 2010 and 2015. All but two counties located along the eastern border have seen declines in population. This includes Phillips County (9.95% decrease), Desha County (7.71% decrease), and Lee County (6.98% decrease.) Sevier County and Scott County along the western border saw negative growth, as well as Lafayette County to the south, amongst others.

Most of the population decline in eastern Arkansas is tied to the decline of family farms. A good family friend of ours was a victim of that. He and his wife had a pretty good sized family farm in Poinsett county for al large part of their married life. They raised their 2 sons there and continued to farm there until the bank that had financed them for years told them they could no longer finance them. They auctioned off all of their equipment and moved elsewhere to find work.

[bphi11ips]

I thought you might be joking a little but sometimes some people read stuff and wonder. They could have read that and thought you though it was a great golf course. It isn't even a good public course. Yes I've played it. Will not again.

It was tongue in cheek but lovingly applied.  Even the DPs who play it every day will tell you it's a goat ranch. 

[Inhogswetrust]

Most of the population decline in eastern Arkansas is tied to the decline of family farms. A good family friend of ours was a victim of that. He and his wife had a pretty good sized family farm in Poinsett county for al large part of their married life. They raised their 2 sons there and continued to farm there until the bank that had financed them for years told them they could no longer finance them. They auctioned off all of their equipment and moved elsewhere to find work.

I get your point but that doesn't explain all of it. I sympathize with them however the reason for any decline is not relevant. The mere fact there is a decline is what is. With a few exceptions nothing major has been done in those areas I'm talking about to stem the tide. A lot of agricultural areas have lost population all over the country yet so has some more "industrialized" areas and towns. One of the most interesting classes I had in College was Human Geography. Part of it is studying WHY people live where they live and population migration. Even more fascinating is how reasons can and do change over time.

[Inhogswetrust]

It was tongue in cheek but lovingly applied.  Even the DPs who play it every day will tell you it's a goat ranch. 

Agree. It is an easy goat ranch to get to from work for a lot of people to get in nine holes quick.

[Inhogswetrust]

Can't really remember, but looks like Fayetteville. Best thing to come out of his tenure.

I think it was Fayetteville. It was early in his tenure and eerily a sign of how his time here will be remembered.....................falling down on the job. Kind of sad since all indications are he is a nice guy. I really wish it would have worked out but in the end how your team performs over time is not the only criteria, but it is the most important one.

[Piggfoot]

You missed the point.  DMac himself said the "501" reference was a symbol of his pride in Arkansas and the Razorbacks.  "501" was the only area code ever used in Arkansas until DMac was 10.  It was the area code in NWA until he was 15.

The point is that DMac saw no distinction between NWA and Little Rock.  In his mind, everyone was an Arkansan and a Razorbacks fan.  That's the way generations of Arkansans have grown up, and a big part of that was that the front porch of the University was smack dab in the middle of the state 3 or 4 times a year in highly visible public events for over 50 years.  It is that sense of ownership that he grew up with. Anyone who doesn't understand the impact those games had on kids doesn't know or care about what it was like to grow up there.       

No, your comments were made up to make a point you wish to make which is not correct but rather to support your agenda.
In this clip D-Mac does not refer to NWA. The 501 is referring to Little Rock.

https://youtu.be/xTah-tk_Udg

[bphi11ips]

No, your comments were made up to make a point you wish to make which is not correct but rather to support your agenda.
In this clip D-Mac does not refer to NWA. The 501 is referring to Little Rock.

https://youtu.be/xTah-tk_Udg

I don't have an "agenda". I have opinions.

I've never seen this clip, but I have heard DMac say the "501" was a reference to "Arkansas". In the clip itself, he says it stands for "where I'm from".  Interestingly, he then pointed to "Little Rock" without explanation. Tends to indicate 501 means something different.

[Porkys Revenge]

I think it was Fayetteville. It was early in his tenure and eerily a sign of how his time here will be remembered.....................falling down on the job. Kind of sad since all indications are he is a nice guy. I really wish it would have worked out but in the end how your team performs over time is not the only criteria, but it is the most important one.

Yeah, he does seem like a nice guy.  I was just remembering how he was not a fan of playing in WMS and was vocal about. That mindset carried over to the team and the rest is history (Toledo). Perception is reality. Our kids used to love to play in the "rock". We lost some of that with CBB.

[factchecker]

looks like the little sister of Arkansas is attempting to do a fine job at keeping up with the Jones' as they say......

That "little sister" was chosen as the the best place to live in Arkansas:

http://time.com/money/5108196/best-places-to-live-every-state-us


It's sad that you hate NWA, Fayetteville, and the Razorbacks all because you were too dumb to get into THE University of Arkansas.

[factchecker]

Spring game in Little Rock is a great idea.

I only wish they could have put it on a weekend when we played an away game in baseball.

I'll probably have to leave early - but I'll be at the spring game with about 7 other family members before we head back up to Baum.

Hope we (Razorback fans) pack WMS.

[Boardon Hamsay]

Why do people want games in LR? LSU fans don't demand games in New Orleans.

Because there is a portion of the fan base that still require the time, convenience and/or financial "subsidy" that WMS games basically offer.  It is a hokey little "no win" situation that we continue to let fester instead of cutting the cord. I am from El Dorado and always thought WMS games were basically like letting a deadbeat relative continue to live in your basement instead of getting a job. I totally get that it costs money and time to drive up from South Arkansas but to be honest, that's a "you problem" to figure out if you really want to go to a game. The UofA shouldn't have to continue to create a convenience and/or financial subsidy for fans to then keep using as leverage.

[AirWarren]

That "little sister" was chosen as the the best place to live in Arkansas:

http://time.com/money/5108196/best-places-to-live-every-state-us


It's sad that you hate NWA, Fayetteville, and the Razorbacks all because you were too dumb to get into THE University of Arkansas.

I actually got into post bachelors graduate program just fine lol. It was actually very easy with my GRE score.


Don't be a little a *itch because your little lily white flight area is tanking faster than you can say trafficking. 

[LZH]

So...we haven't lost any supporters, good. I was thinking you were trying to say by not playing a certain amount of games in WMS, that we had lost some supporters.

I don't have much of a dog in this fight anymore. It costs about the same to fly LIT as it does XNA. Game tickets are probably not much different, either. I just hate for the program to lose parts of the state that were once 100% Hog county. With the exception of Nutt's and Bobby's two year runs, most guys under 30 only see Arkansas as a mediocre program at best. Seark used to produce some serious talent - fast and mean. We need these kids to make a push...along with a balls-to-the-wall hard ass that can evaluate real SEC speed.

Arkansas is not gonna be a Top 10-15 team using slew-footed linemen and 4.85 skill players.

[ricepig]

I don't have much of a dog in this fight anymore. It costs about the same to fly LIT as it does XNA. Game tickets are probably not much different, either. I just hate for the program to lose parts of the state that were once 100% Hog county. With the exception of Nutt's and Bobby's two year runs, most guys under 30 only see Arkansas as a mediocre program at best. Seark used to produce some serious talent - fast and mean. We need these kids to make a push...along with a balls-to-the-wall hard ass that can evaluate real SEC speed.

Arkansas is not gonna be a Top 10-15 team using slew-footed linemen and 4.85 skill players.

So, winning is what counts the most in their allegiance, that I can understand, where they play, not as important, correct?

[bphi11ips]

I don't have much of a dog in this fight anymore. It costs about the same to fly LIT as it does XNA. Game tickets are probably not much different, either. I just hate for the program to lose parts of the state that were once 100% Hog county. With the exception of Nutt's and Bobby's two year runs, most guys under 30 only see Arkansas as a mediocre program at best. Seark used to produce some serious talent - fast and mean. We need these kids to make a push...along with a balls-to-the-wall hard ass that can evaluate real SEC speed.

Arkansas is not gonna be a Top 10-15 team using slew-footed linemen and 4.85 skill players.

You're like me.  You're concerned about the longterm health of the university and the team, and you offer an opinion based upon personal experience developed over a lifetime as a Southeast Arkansas native, player, and fan.  And the location of games no longer impacts you personally.  You're similar to Tubberville.  He's completely objective and has the experience to analyze the situation.

I'd be interested in your opinion on how the LSU series in Shreveport affected Arkansas fans in southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana.  Arkansas played LSU every year from 1906 to 1936.  Games were in Shreveport from 1913 until 1936.  Four more games were played from 1953 to 1956, alternating between Little Rock and Shreveport.  I have a friend in his mid-70s from Spring Hill, Louisiana, just a few miles from the Arkansas border.  He is an LSU fan first but an Arkansas fan except when they play each other.  He isn't old enough to remember the old 30 year series, but his grandparents and parents were.  He definitely remembers the series in the 50s.  I wonder how many were like him.

Another reason that is seldom mentioned here but which is certainly considered at the highest level  is the effect Little Rock games have on football in central Arkansas.  How closely is the decline of football in the Pulaski County School District tied to the departure of Razorbacks football games?  There are multiple reasons for this decline, but is the shift in interest in central Arkansas from football to basketball due in part to the reduction in the Razorbacks' local presence? Many here will say no, but it's a legitimate question, and it's an important question given Arkansas's demographics.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

So...we haven't lost any supporters, good. I was thinking you were trying to say by not playing a certain amount of games in WMS, that we had lost some supporters.

You're losing them in the school aged kids...

[ricepig]

You're losing them in the school aged kids...

Sounds like poor parenting.......

[Hawgphat]

I believe that it is altogether natural for dedicated fans to desire close proximity to their beloved chosen athletic program.  However , there is only ONE main University Of Arkansas established institution - at ONE venue (Fayetteville, Arkansas).

Dedicated Arkansas fans who live just inside the Arkansas border with Louisiana by and large do not switch their program allegiance to LSU simply because it's geographically closer.

The campus of The University Of Arkansas is in Fayetteville, Arkansas; - - NOT Little Rock, Arkansas.  Those who are obsessed with having University Of Arkansas football games played in Little Rock should perhaps petition The Powers That Be to move the entire conglomerate University Of Arkansas campus facilities from Fayetteville to Little Rock.  I'll monitor that initiative to see how it works out for you.  Good luck.

[bphi11ips]

I believe that it is altogether natural for dedicated fans to desire close proximity to their beloved chosen athletic program.  However , there is only ONE main University Of Arkansas established institution - at ONE venue (Fayetteville, Arkansas).

Dedicated Arkansas fans who live just inside the Arkansas border with Louisiana by and large do not switch their program allegiance to LSU simply because it's geographically closer.

The campus of The University Of Arkansas is in Fayetteville, Arkansas; - - NOT Little Rock, Arkansas.  Those who are obsessed with having University Of Arkansas football games played in Little Rock should perhaps petition The Powers That Be to move the entire conglomerate University Of Arkansas campus facilities from Fayetteville to Little Rock.  I'll monitor that initiative to see how it works out for you.  Good luck.

Under your theory, games should never have been played in Little Rock.

[Hawgphat]

Under your theory, games should never have been played in Little Rock.

I respectfully disagree.  I attended a number of games in Little Rock (most notably in the 1970s and 80s).  I understand the premise that having a single major university program in the state has made Arkansas somewhat unique in regard to unified fan support.

I have nothing against the Little Rock War Memorial Stadium venue (apart from the fact that the phsical condition of the stadium was inexplicably and atrociously allowed to deteriorate while the Little Rock business community continued to clamor for annual game bookings there).  If The University Of Arkansas power brokers choose to continue a Little Rock venue affiliation - and/or expand it - that decision is out of the hands of fans such as you and I.  I wouldn't get my drawers in a wad over the situation, either way it might develop.

It has simply always been my conviction that a "home" hosted football game should be held at the campus whereupon the "home" team is located geographically.  No University Of Oklahoma football games are hosted in a stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

[buldozer]

Lots of pent up frustration being exhibited in this thread by the NWA wine and cheese crowd..... the tail doesn't wag the dog, its the other way around. NWA will never be the center of influence in AR, NWA will never be the state capitol and the opinions of those in NWA will never matter as much as the influence leaders in central AR. These are just hard facts that can not be changed, no matter how many non-arkansans move to NWA. Those in NWA with no influence can vent all they want on message boards but it won't change who makes the decisions, and the decision makers reside outside of NWA.

[Hawgphat]

Lots of pent up frustration being exhibited in this thread by the NWA wine and cheese crowd..... the tail doesn't wag the dog, its the other way around. NWA will never be the center of influence in AR, NWA will never be the state capitol and the opinions of those in NWA will never matter as much as the influence leaders in central AR. These are just hard facts that can not be changed, no matter how many non-arkansans move to NWA. Those in NWA with no influence can vent all they want on message boards but it won't change who makes the decisions, and the decision makers reside outside of NWA.

More millionaires and more mega businesses are headquartered in NWA than in any other geographic region in The U.S, - or so I've been told.  I believe that statistic engenders a VERY strong argument for the financial clout of NWA on a national scale.

There MUST have been a pointed, overriding practical reason behind the selection of Fayetteville as the site of The University Of Arkansas.  I would further surmise that the rationale had nothing to do with slighting the business community of Little Rock and/or thumbing anyone's  nose at residents of the rest of the geographic locale  Arkansas residents.

Fayeteville, Arkansas is the home of The University Of Arkansas.  The football team and coaching staff reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  The players all live ON CAMPUS, attend classes ON CAMPUS and practice ON CAMPUS at The University Of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

I rest my case.