It’s that time of year. The Razorbacks should be running, the boys (and girls) should be batting and the punters should be preparing for the Red-White Football Spring Game as part of the annual HogFest in Fayetteville.
Covid-19 has quashed almost all of that — almost.
“The idea of having a virtual Wooo Pig Weekend provides Razorback fans across our great state the opportunity to come together even as we remain physically separated,” says Elvis Moya, associate athletics director for community relations and fan engagement at the University of Arkansas.
Events begin today with virtual baseball. Moya invites fans to relive one of the most memorable SEC Tournament games in recent Arkansas baseball history, the 2015 Razorbacks vs. the Florida Gators. The game will be streamed live on the Razorback Baseball Facebook page beginning at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, supporters are invited to take part in the Virtual #ONEHogCall Challenge at 7 p.m. All fans have to do, Moya says, is go outside in their favorite gameday gear, call the Hogs loud and proud, and post the video to Twitter using the #ONEHogCall hashtag. Razorback staff will select a few favorites as winners, and they will receive tickets to a Razorback home football game.
At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, immediately after the Hog Call, fans can remember one of the great upsets in Arkansas sports history: the football Razorbacks’ 50-48 win over No. 1 LSU in triple overtime in 2007. Darren McFadden ran for 206 yards and three TDs while passing for another one in the regular-season finale against the eventual national champions. The broadcast will start at 7:30 p.m. on the Razorback Football Facebook page.
On Sunday, winners of the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, open through Saturday, will be announced. To enter, all fans have to do is draw their Razorback-themed masterpiece, post a picture on Twitter and tag @ArkRazorbacks. Arkansas Athletics’ art inspectors will select the top four, followed by a fan vote to decide the winner.
“We hope this weekend provides Razorback fans of all ages the opportunity to share in their love for the Hogs while making new memories with their families,” Moya says.