War Memorial exploring expansion options
11/19/11 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEPHEN B. THORNTON Arkansass Razorbacks runs out onto the field at the start of their game Saturday against Mississippi State at War Memorial Stadium.
Originally published February 7, 2012 at 5:49 p.m., updated February 7, 2012 at 6:59 p.m.
FAYETTEVILLE — Charles Staggs is asked "every day" about the future of Arkansas football games in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium.
The stadium's manager said Tuesday he and the War Memorial Stadium commission are exploring the possibility of expansion in an attempt to ensure the Razorbacks keep playing two games there every season.
"We are looking at something to see if we can entice them to stay here," Staggs said.
Staggs said the commission talked about adding high-priced club seating at the 63-year-old stadium in November, and he expects architects to present drawings at its next meeting later this month. He said they will likely feature an expanded press box that could take up the entire west side of the stadium.
Staggs said he is concerned Arkansas might play fewer games in Little Rock after the school's contract with the stadium runs out after the 2016 season.
"Yes, I really am," Staggs said. "I don't know how the commission feels, but I'm concerned about it."
He said the expansion talk could be viewed as the commission's pre-emptive way to try and keep two games — which he called the "lifeblood of the stadium."
"We couldn't survive without those two games that we have here," Staggs said.
Arkansas announced plans for a future expansion of the on-campus, 72,000-seat Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville in October. Those plans were part of an overall estimated $300 million athletic growth master plan, and athletic director Jeff Long said the timetable was dependent on demand and money.
The Razorback Stadium expansion would be the first since a 19,000-seat expansion in 2001 that enclosed the south end zone and added a second deck to the east side.
Long said the estimated $78 million to $95 million expansion would enclose the north end zone and feature at least 5,000 new seats, including field-level suites and indoor and outdoor club areas.
Long wasn't nearly as definitive at October's announcement when asked about the impact of a possible Razorback Stadium expansion on future games in Little Rock. War Memorial Stadium has a capacity of 53,955.
"That decision will be made sometime in the future," Long said.
Arkansas pays the War Memorial commission $75,000 per game, and the stadium also collects concessions and parking fees from the neighboring War Memorial Golf Course. Staggs said the loss of any Razorbacks games would be a "big hole in the budget."
The stadium's 2000 contract with the stadium originally ran through the 2014 season and called for three football games to be played in War Memorial in four of the 15 seasons. However, the contract was amended in 2008 — extending the duration through 2016 while keeping the number of annual games at two.
Whether a possible future expansion of Razorback Stadium could impact the games in Little Rock has been widely discussed throughout Arkansas, a discussion Staggs is well aware of and concerned about.
"We're just sitting and waiting to see what they're going to do with us," Staggs said. "We are going to see what we can do to entice them to stay with us.
"... We're doing everything we can."
Comments
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AustinHog says...
Needs to happen!
February 7, 2012 at 6:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HogAttack says...
Party Rock!! Can't let go of the Rock... The crowd is the best, the games are the best, and the party is the best!!
February 7, 2012 at 8:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MauiHog says...
Time to leave the dump! Seriously.
February 7, 2012 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StLouisHog says...
We are battling programs that already spend a lot more than we do on football. The football program takes a big financial hit every time we play at War Memorial Stadium. We're not in the SWC anymore. It doesn't make financial sense to keep playing there.
February 7, 2012 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ua87 says...
Ron White says it best, "You can't fix stupid." In one of the most challenging of economic times since the Great Depression, idiots are compelled to try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear by expanding War Memorial.
Who's going to pay for it? State taxpayers? That would be brilliant. And what's the return on investment for the sake of TWO games? How long will it take to recoup the investment for the sake of TWO games?
When will we collectively as Razorback fans, state lawmakers, state residents and business people going to wake up and see this dinosaur for what it really is?
Pitiful that this is actually being considered.
February 7, 2012 at 9:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ua87 says...
Charles Staggs, how old are you? How old are the members of your "commission"? Retirement cannot come soon enough for you morons.
February 7, 2012 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ralot says...
Only 10 more games left in the Rock. Only a U of A vs. A-State game should be played there and another non-conference game.
February 7, 2012 at 9:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarineHog1 says...
I hope you guys are not the same ones asking why we didn't get Dyer or Tennpenny. The UA has to keep a presence in Little Rock to have a shot at keeping the top recruits that come out of LR/NLR. Thats why Malzahn was able to go head to head w/UA and win at recruiting. Now that Malzahn is at A State it's going to be even tougher for UA to get in state kids.
February 7, 2012 at 9:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Razorhog says...
I saw my first Razorback game at War Memorial as a little kid with my dad. Great times and memories! My favorite player was Donnie BoBo, of course he later got kicked off the team for drugs. Anyway, I would be sad to see games leave the Rock, but I can see the argument for all games in Fayetteville because of more revenue and having official visits from recruits. What rubs most central Ark. fans the wrong way is the perceive pompous attitute of some NW Ark fans that are ready to cut ties altogher with the rest of the state, when Little Rock was the life blood of the program for many years. It really doesn't matter to me one way or the other, but for the future of Football in the Rock, their best hope is for UALR Football, or moving an Ark St. game there. I believe the decision has been made to leave after the contract. Ultimately the State Legislature may still have a roll to play.
February 7, 2012 at 9:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MarineHog1 says...
I grew up an athlete in LR. I can tell you for sure, many of the kids in Central Arkansas did not and do not have the same passion for the UA as many in other parts of the state. There is a deep mistrust and resentment for UA. Then to hear the arrogance of some to trash LR is purely STUPID! UA cannot, and would not have survived without LR. Some of the biggest donors to UA are LR natives or residents.
February 7, 2012 at 9:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ralot says...
Didn't need Dyer. Headcase, Knile's numbers were better. Ten-Cent is still not official till Feb. 1st 2013. Who did WMS get for us? Joe came because of BP's offense and F ville is alot closer than LA. Jake came because of family tradition. I only know of one kid that "darth-visor" got from the rock and that was Dyer. He pulled his fair share out of NE Ark, but that's where his disciples coach and like it or not, he's a pretty good recruiter and runs a fun offense.
February 7, 2012 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ralot says...
Correction NW Ark.
February 7, 2012 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ralot says...
Don't get me wrong, I love the Rock, having seen 12 games there as a kid before i was able to get up the HILL but it's time has come and gone. The HS All-Star game has left the Rock and I am afraid the State Championship games will follow.(hope not). Only A-State can save WMS cause economics has the Hogs leaving town.
February 7, 2012 at 9:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dldmd_mac.com says...
alabama quit playing games in birmingham because of the recruiting disadvantage why do you think A&m really wants to play at home and on their campus
February 7, 2012 at 10:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
basscat3 says...
Its time hogs!!! Take the dump down and build a park!!
February 7, 2012 at 11:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexBack says...
Any kid that would choose the Indians over the Razorbacks doesn't need to come to Fayetteville in the first place. Whatever the reason (Malzahn, better dope in Jonesboro, etc.) just go back to the top of this string, "you can't fix stupid". We don't need stupid in Fayetteville. Have you ever thought that playing in WM stadium is a detriment to recruiting? What is exciting about playing there when you've already played HS games there. Needing WM to attract central AR kids is rediculous. I went to games in War Memorial for 10 years before ever making it to Fayetteville. Great memories, but that's not enough. Thanksgiving Friday is a special day with LSU, but that's not enough. Part of me hates to say it, but it's time to move all games to Fayetteville.
February 8, 2012 at 9:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ua87 says...
MarineHog1,
You really have your head buried in the sand. And, I'm amused that you think ASU can outrecruit the UA...hilarious. Dyer certainly has loyalty to Malzahn but gave up HUGE national exposure by going from a prominent SEC program to one in relative obscurity.
It is without question that many great moments in Razorback Football have happened at WMS. I saw my first game there (against Texas, 1971). But, its time to move on. UAB plays at Legion Field in Birmingham. Has it hurt Saban and the Crimson Tide program? If your answer to that is "yes", you really are stupid and cannot be fixed. If ASU wants to take over in WMS, let them.
Do you really think student athletes are so shallow that they need some games played in LR to sign with Arkansas? Last time I looked, the UA has been in Fayetteville since 1871. If some portions of the state harbor a grudge, they sure have held onto it for a helluva long time.
And would some LR donors be ticked? Maybe. But if they are going to be so mad, then maybe they should foot the entire bill for expansion rather than have the real taxpayers carry it on their backs.
February 8, 2012 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
teamhawg says...
Games in the Rock are far superior to the "sitting on my hands" crowd in NWA. I see at least 3 games a year, and as much as I love Fayetteville.... LR is a far better atmosphere.
February 8, 2012 at 11:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HonestAbeHog says...
ralot you slay me with laughter with your "Ten-Cent" and A-State's "darth visor" comments.
With the current "national" recruiting by the U of Ark, we need to impress the National Recruits with the Fayetteville stadium games only after 2016. It's just the way of progress in the SEC.
I loved the old days of watching games at WMS in Little Rock, but those days are soon to be history...for the good of the program.
Let darth-visor and A-State have War Memorial Stadium after 2016. Arkansas will still vigorously recruit Arkansas boys "all over the state" under Petrino.
February 8, 2012 at 12:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StLouisHog says...
I saw my first Hog game at WMS in 1958. However that was a different era. As pointed out, Alabama quit playing games in Legion Field. Ole Miss and Mississippi State quit playing in Jackson and Tennessee quit playing in Memphis. Razorback Stadium is a far, far more attractive facility than WMS. I love the Rock but its time to do what makes the most sense for the program.
February 8, 2012 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HogAttack says...
Wow, some people obviously don't have tickets to the LR games!! The Fayetteville crowd really is an embarrassment when compared to the LR crowd... There is nothing holding back our program that we can't accomplish while playing two games in LR... Thinking moving those two games is going to launch our brand is a pipe dream. If this whole state can't fund one SEC team with a mock home field, we have other issues. Having lived in NWA, many natives there have no idea what LR is all about.
February 8, 2012 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HonestAbeHog says...
Saw my first game in WMS in Little Rock as a UofA student in 1964...it was a grand era...but it is almost over.
I trust the athletic leaders at the UofA to make the BEST DECISION for our program...and that probably means no more WMS games after 2016. Sad, but it's progress for our national football program.
There are now much, much improved highways from Little Rock to Fayetteville, since the 1960 era. Shucks, we even have interstate highways all the way up to Fayetteville now. That's just progress, fans.
February 8, 2012 at 1:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StLouisHog says...
I have heard the argument that Fayetteville crowds don't have the passion as LR crowds for years. However, from having attended both venues every season for the past 22 years, any advantage that LR might have had went away after the 2001 stadium expansion at Fayetteville. Sorry LR fans, I fave driven from either Kansas City or St. Louis every year since I first purchased season tickets in 1989. The LR argument simply no longer holds true.
February 8, 2012 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ua87 says...
Lets see, the difference between LR and NWA fans:
LR - raucous, drunks, hoosiers, jack legs (synonomous with rednecks), majority have not seen the inside of a college classroom, probably wouldn't know what Old Main refers to if asked.
NWA - refined but loud (the place EXPLODES when the Hogs score, contrary to not-so-popular belief), respectful to the visitors, not so outwardly demonstrative if intoxicated, do not exemplify the stereotype of characters depicted above in LR.
If we really want national respect, playing the games where our tradition is truly AT HOME is a step in the right direction.
February 8, 2012 at 4:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HonestAbeHog says...
ua87, it's the jack legs and hoosiers (do they do it over the top stadium railing?... because I walk down there outside sometimes.) that worry me in War Memorial Stadium at Little Rock games. At least you didn't mention "ladies of the night" at the LR games.
February 8, 2012 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
greatbighogfan says...
We are the only team in college football to have two stadiums I hope they expanded
its fun watching LSU lose there WPS
February 11, 2012 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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