LSU Move Revives StateTensions
By Kristen Coppola
Razorback fans have experienced this before.
The relocation of the conference football game against LSU for the 2012 season to Donald W. Reynolds Stadium raises some difficulties for alumni, officials said.
This will mark the first time that the Razorback football team has hosted LSU in Fayetteville since 1992. The rivalry was moved back to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock because of discontent among alumni and supporters of the football program.
“The issue with having games in Fayetteville is that you don’t get the same statewide participation,” said Jon Mormon, Alumni Association board member.
War Memorial Stadium holds more than 54, 000 seats while Donald W. Reynolds Stadium holds 72,000, according to their websites.
“But Little Rock is not going to carry the crowd,” Mormon said.
In the past, War Memorial Stadium was the location of four games a year, but after the renovation of Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, Fayetteville began hosting more games, said Mike Macechko, executive director of the Alumni Association.
“Families from the Delta could go to Little Rock for the games, but the roads [to Fayetteville] weren’t good,” Macechko said.
The announcement this year received a warm response from some compared to the 1992 season.
“It will be different with the way you celebrate Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but I’m actually excited in a way,” said Cynthia Neuhofel, member of the Alumni Association. “I’m ready for LSU to see what it’s like in Fayetteville.”
