Arkansas Razorbacks
While the University of Arkansas was founded in 1871, it wasn’t until 1894 that students began competing in football, tennis, baseball, and track and field. Student athletes back then weren’t called the Razorbacks, though. They were known as the Cardinals, thanks in part to the official school color. After completing the 1909 college football season undefeated, coach Hugo Bezdek insisted his team played “like a wild band of razorback hogs.” The school – and its athletic program – had a new identity.
There is a proud sporting tradition at the University of Arkansas. Their lone football national championship, which came in 1964, actually changed how the college football polling procedure was conducted. The Razorbacks defeated Nebraska 10-7 in the Cotton Bowl to finish as the only undefeated team in the nation. Prior to the bowl games, the AP and the UPI named Alabama #1 in their final poll, however, Alabama would go on to lose their bowl game to Texas. This prompted both the AP and the UPI to wait until after the bowl games to release their final rankings.
While a lot has changed since 1964, the Razorbacks are still a ferocious competitor in the SEC. Let’s look at the mascots who help rally these Razorbacks on game day.
Tusk & Co.
The University of Arkansas has six official mascots: Tusk, Big Red, Sue E, Ribby, Pork Chop, and Boss Hog. Tusk, however, is the only live mascot. He’s a Russian boar and bears a close resemblance to the lean, feral animal that was native to the Arkansas wilderness in the early 1900s. Tusk IV is one of several live mascots in existence across collegiate athletics today.
In addition to Tusk, the university also has five additional mascot costumes worn by students: Big Red, Sue E, Ribby (used primarily for baseball games), Pork Chop, and Boss Hog (a 9-foot inflatable razorback). These six mascots are used together to help create an atmosphere of cheer for all hogs. Take a look at how ingrained they are in the lives of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Tusk wears a big smile after a win.
Big Red wants Arkansas to win the college football playoffs.
Wooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
With six mascots, school spirit certainly isn’t in short supply at the University of Arkansas. Get ready to cheer on those Razorbacks in style with officially licensed merchandise and apparel from Fanatics.com.
Sources
http://www.uark.edu/about/history.php
http://www.uark.edu/features/a-national-championship-that-changed-college-football.php
http://arkansasrazorbacks.com/pdf/spirit/2015-16/overview.pdf
http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/tusk_the_razorback_live_mascot_1514556/
http://www.espn.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8252260/image/21/tusk-mascots-southeastern-conference
