Former Arkansas QBs share history with Lou Holtz

Arkansas quarterback Kevin Scanlon watches from the sidelines during the end of Arkansas' Sugar Bowl game vs. Alabama on Jan. 1, 1980, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Ron Calcagni and Kevin Scanlon grew up in the Rust Belt, but they made their names in Arkansas.

Lou Holtz -- also a Rust Belt native -- was a big reason why.

Holtz, 79, was the special guest at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes' annual dinner Thursday night at The Church of Rock Creek in Little Rock. Along with Calcagni and Scanlon, more than 40 former University of Arkansas football players visited Holtz on Thursday.

Scanlon, 58, played for Holtz at North Carolina State in 1975 as a freshman, but when Holtz left for the New York Jets in 1976, he transferred to Arkansas in 1977. Calcagni, 59, was also recruited by Holtz while he was at N.C. State. However, he ended up at Arkansas, playing for Frank Broyles for one year before Holtz arrived.

The two men would become the most successful quarterbacks Holtz had in Fayetteville.

Calcagni, originally from Youngstown, Ohio, led the Razorbacks to a 31-6 victory over Oklahoma in the 1978 Orange Bowl and finished 25-4-2 in two seasons as Arkansas' starting quarterback. Scanlon, originally from Beaver Falls, Pa., took over for Calcagni in 1979 and was the Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, leading the Razorbacks to the Sugar Bowl against Alabama.

Holtz, who grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio, was 60-21-2 at Arkansas and is one of three head coaches to lead the Razorbacks to six consecutive bowl appearances. He compiled a 243-127-7 career record at William & Mary, North Carolina State, Arkansas, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South Carolina, winning a national championship at Notre Dame in 1988.

The relationship among Holtz, Calcagni and Scanlon has lasted almost 40 years, which is something both Scanlon and Calcagni don't take lightly.

"We've known him for a long part of our lives," Scanlon said. "The pleasure of playing for him was special, but maintaining a relationship with him like we've done over the years is important, too. It's great to see him. We hold him near and dear to our hearts. He's made such an impact on our lives."

David Bazzel, who played linebacker for Holtz from 1981 to 1983 at Arkansas, was recruited from Florida. Like Calcagni and Scanlon, he didn't leave the state either.

"Coach Holtz changed the trajectory of our lives by recruiting us here," Bazzel, the FCA dinner's emcee, said.

The event was billed as "An Evening with Lou Holtz," but Holtz was quick to point out the evening was not about him.

"It's great to be back in the state of Arkansas," Holtz said. "But if I would have known this was about Lou Holtz, I wouldn't be here. I'm here because of FCA."

Calcagni appreciated having Holtz back in Arkansas, at least for one night.

"When you're 79 years old and you're giving your time, that shows you how much FCA means to him and also how special the place of Arkansas is," Calcagni said, who added that Holtz's wife, Beth, is currently going through undisclosed medical issues. "His heart is still back home. I hope we can honor him tonight with the FCA, with all the athletes here. We're excited about honoring Coach Holtz."

Gov. Asa Hutchinson presented Holtz with the Arkansas Traveler certificate, which honors out-of-state visitors and Arkansas natives who have a love and appreciation for the state. Hutchinson said Holtz has been an inspirational leader, an encourager and gives of himself to others.

"I know he has never forgotten Arkansas," Hutchinson said.

Despite being fired by Broyles after the 1983 season, Holtz bounced back. Three years later, Broyles recommended Holtz, who was at Minnesota in 1984-1985, for the Notre Dame job, and he coached the Fighting Irish for 11 seasons (1986-1996).

"When Frank Broyles dies, Lou Holtz will be at his funeral," said Holtz of Broyles, 91. "You can't go through your life being bitter."

Holtz's faith was important to him as a coach, and he taught it to his players, Scanlon said.

"He taught us how to win games, but he also gave us lessons for life," Scanlon said. "Part of the lesson was to preach faith. It was something we all understood. There was a prayer that we all said before every ballgame. It was something we all remembered and cherished."

"He always had his family there at practices. At the Sunday meals," Calcagni said. "His coaches were all good family people. He showed us a lot at the age of 18. Now, us growing up 39 years later, it's quite a neat thing to see him here with all of us again."

Even though his last game with the Razorbacks came in 1983, Holtz still appreciates the time he and his family spent in Arkansas.

"You have something special here," Holtz said. "Enjoy it. It's unique. You grow up thinking about the Hogs. I understand Arkansas State is doing a nice job, but there's only one Hog."

Sports on 04/29/2016