Even with the announcement of his retirement last week, it's still hard to imagine Razorback track and field and cross country without John McDonnell.

The man brought so much to the program in every way that not enough words can be spoken or written to express the magnitude of his impact on the sports he coached.

I don't know if I'm even qualified to try.

But, I do know what I personally appreciated most about his program and the culture that he, his assistants and his athletes built around Razorback track and field and cross country.

Being a member of McDonnell's program held a special distinction in the world of collegiate cross country and track and field. It's almost too obvious to point out, but not just anyone could run, sprint or leap for the Razorbacks.

There were great athletes that did not have what it took to be a Hog. Not all would buy into McDonnell's team approach. Those athletes would rather be THE star in their own little universe, rather than compete among many stars each day in workouts.

And there have been many athletes that have given up much to be a Razorback. It's not uncommon for an athlete to give up scholarship money one school would provide to walk on for the Hogs.

Because of those reasons and many others too numerous to go into, Arkansas' track athletes have taken great pride in being a Razorback. More pride, I think, than any other group of athletes on campus.

Not to diminish any of Arkansas' other athletic programs. There is great tradition at the UA in football, basketball, baseball and other sports.

But, when an athlete inked a letter of intent with McDonnell's program, national championships weren't just a hope, they were an expectation.

Because of those expectations there was more than a little bit of pressure on McDonnell's athletes to perform at their best.

I don't know how many times over the years I've heard a UA track athlete say something to the effect that, " We don't want to be the group that let the program down. "

As McDonnell's 42 national titles and 83 conference championships attest, the Razorbacks have rarely failed to meet expectations.

And when the Razorbacks win their titles, without fault, McDonnell and his troops gather together proudly to call the Hogs, embracing the cheer in a way no other Razorbacks teams can or do.

And when the Hogs' opponents hear the first strains of " Wooo Pig Sooie, " they may laugh a little but they also realize they have been beaten by the greatest dynasty college sports ever has and probably ever will know.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.