University of Arkansas basketball and football burst onto my scene about the same time – somewhere back in the mid-to-late 1970s – and due to a more-established presence in Little Rock, the latter caught my eye first. Back then, all home games were split between War Memorial and Razorback Stadiums. The main reason was location, location, location, as central Arkansas was closer to most of the boo$ter money that flooded the Delta and southern Arkansas and, ultimately, much easier to travel to than Nam.
We had season tickets in that old grand dame, located not far behind the Razorbacks’ bench, and would faithfully fill up the family wagon four times a year, head to midtown and file in with the rest of 50,000 fervent fans. Oftentimes, I felt that old concrete-and-steel structure shake like a hula girl during tourist season in the islands, but never again.
Another reason halfa the home football games were held down in the Rockpile had to do with War Memorial being so much bigger and nicer. Ha! That’s like comparing crawdads fished outta turd creek to fresh Maine lobsters.
Arkansas basketball, on the other hand, called the friendly confines of Barnhill Arena home, and felt no need to play many games elsewhere. Although, two or three times a year Coach Sutton would throw us a bone and schedule an exhibition game or some other non-conference contest at lovely Barton Coliseum.
Oh Barnhill – what an advantage and what a home you were.
Despite holding less than half of the capacity of the current, overbuilt gym, the old place was lots louder. The word cozy comes to mind, but I doubt any opponents who played there would agree. The bleachers were close to the floor, and the fans played a huge role in each and every dub.
So loud.
And hot.
Both Sutton and Richardson stressed fitness and would use Barnhill as an oven to cook the other teams outta the gym. Nolan was notorious for it.
And the student section was not for the meek or timid, either. It was first come first serve when it came to seats, so the scene resembled the running of the bulls once the doors opened. Those tiny hallways were designed for an orderly progression of people and not a mad dash. The place was the epitome of homecourt advantage with 9,000 seats that 9,000 Hogwild faithful would faithfully fill. Subsequently, the passion was always at a 10, and the fans never took a night off.
It was where winning streaks went to die. “I can count on one hand the number of games I lost in Barnhill,” Ron Brewer said.
Sadly, BWA is no Barnhill Arena.
After Saturdaze beatdown at Mizzou, there may not be many more than 9,000 butts in seats when Georgia comes to town on Wednesday.
Hang in there, cuz you know what they say – Baseball’s right around the corner.
WooPig