FAYETTEVILLE -- During an era when corporate branding and making money dominate the college athletics landscape, the Arkansas Razorbacks still emote the essence of Arkansas.
They did last Thursday on the Fayetteville Square.
An introduction ceremony was hastily arranged on the eve of Arkansas hosting the 24th Thorpe Cup, a competition between U.S. and German decathletes and heptathletes, as well as an Olympic sendoff for Rio de Janeiro-bound Razorbacks still training in Fayetteville.
The Thorpe Cup was held Friday and Saturday at John McDonnell Field outdoor track.
The absence of two Brazil-bound ex-Razorbacks -- long jumper Jarrion Lawson and pole-vaulter Sandi Morris, who were competing elsewhere last weekend -- didn't deter an estimated crowd of 300 from bringing the enthusiasm of a thousand to the occasion.
Years of hosting NCAA Indoor Championships educates Arkansas fans appreciating great track and field regardless of jersey. They warmly welcomed the German teams to hearty applause on the Square before the Germans broke bread with their opposition at the nearby Chancellor Hotel.
"This happens uniquely in Arkansas be it Fayetteville or Little Rock or wherever in our state," Harter said "This is not happening across the United States. I think that's so special. It's hard to describe how wonderful the Arkansas people are and how they give back and serenade our kids. Our team really appreciates it and understands it and the kids that are going to compete are really excited."
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇿🇦🇿🇦🇲🇽🇸🇪🇳🇬🇸🇮🇹🇹 = 🐗 in the Olympics #RoadToRio https://t.co/nLP58WL8tQ pic.twitter.com/E8rilFMSxd
— WholeHogSports.com (@wholehogsports) July 15, 2016
The Germans joined the crowd when it started calling the Hogs, too. They were full-throated by the third "Woo, Pig, Sooie" and exuding 1,000 percent more gusto than Dana Altman, who resigned as Razorbacks basketball coach less than 24 hours after taking the job almost a decade ago.
"Yeah they were like 'What is this?" Harter said of the Germans. "This is pretty cool."
Bucknam lauded the "incredible job" that Travis Geopfert, the men's field events coach, accomplished bringing the Thorpe Cup to Arkansas.
Men's Coach Bucknam said hosting the Thorpe Cup should prove to USATF officials that the UA has the facilities and that Northwest Arkansas has the quality hotels and restaurants to host a U.S. Olympic Trials or USA Championship.
"Coach Mac didn't build this track just for NCAA and SEC meets," Bucknam said.
McDonell, who brought 40 national championship to Arkansas, said it should open eyes, especially with the combined success generated by Harter's women and Bucknam's men.
The women are NCAA Outdoor champions after finishing second at the NCAA Indoor; the men finished second at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor.
"This is really fantastic what they have done," McDonnell said. "This might be the turning because both programs now are at the national level at the top."
Sports on 08/01/2016