FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas ’ athletic director wants you to know he’s no longer the oldest Razorback at the Broyles Center.

Frank Broyles, who is retiring in December to mark the end of 50 years at Arkansas as either the head football coach or athletic director, was born in 1924.

A bronze statue with two fighting razorbacks that was created in 1920 will adorn the entrance to the Broyles Center after being donated by Suzie Stephens and Jim Hatfield and their families in honor of Broyles’ 50 years of service to Arkansas.

“I wasn’t born when they were made,” Broyles, who turns 83 on Dec. 26, said Tuesday after a dedication ceremony for the statue. “I want people to know, these razorbacks are older than me. They’re the only thing here older than I am.”

Broyles kissed the statue and said he hopes it will become a tradition for the football coaches and players to touch it when they enter the Broyles Center before home football games.

“The Razorback is so special,” Broyles said. “Texarkana [High School ] is the only other Razorback team in the world. People identify with the Razorback.

“ Everywhere I go, whether it’s to California or New York, and I meet people who have lived in Arkansas, they start talking about the Razorbacks.”

Broyles bolted Missouri after one season as the Tigers’ coach and came to Arkansas in December 1957. He coached the Razorbacks for 19 seasons from 1958-1976 and has been athletic director since 1973.

In February, Broyles announced he would retire as athletic director effective Dec. 31, 2007.

Broyles said the Razorbacks statue “will represent all the generations that have supported the Razorbacks in the past and will support us in the future.

“ I’m proud to be a part of it. Nothing can equal the passion of the Razorback fans,” Broyles said.