This is the third and final installment of our series on the atmosphere of Razorback basketball games at Bud Walton Arena.
In part one of this series, we described where we’re at now. In part two, we talked about what others are doing. But a wise man once said that it is unfair to present a problem without having a solution in hand. So here’s some ideas for the powers that be — since they have been unable or unwilling to come up with some on their own — to make Bud Walton Arena the most exciting college basketball venue in the country.
Arena Changes
In an effort to enhance the visual aspects, a 360-degree LED ribbon display (like this one from Daktronics) should be placed around the fascia of the upper deck. This should be used to complement the existing video board above center court — especially during the pre-game player introductions.- Rework the banners that hang from the rafters. There’s no need to celebrate simply making an NCAA tournament appearance…jeesh. Have banners to celebrate conference championships, final fours and the national championship. And honor players without necessarily retiring their numbers. We’d start with Moncrief, Delph, Brewer (Sr.), Kleine, Robertson, Mayberry, Day, Miller, Williamson, Beck and Thurman. Honor coaches Sutton and Richardson, as well.
- Extend the student seating all the way across the south side of the court (closest to the floor only). Reclaim some of the existing upper student section seating for general admission and season ticket holders.
Pre-Game
- During the shootaround and warm-ups, pipe in music from a variety of contemporary artists. Nothing too flashy here as we’re saving the explosive songs for later. RBN music suggestions include:
- Beautiful Day (U2)
- Black Balloon (Goo Goo Dolls)
- Summertime (Will Smith)
- Blurry (Puddle Of Mudd)
- Las Vegas (Rain Man Soundtrack)
- Glamorous (Fergie)
- Run To You (Bryan Adams)
- Everyday (Bon Jovi)
- Comin’ To Your City (Big & Rich)
- Show Me What You Got (Jay-Z)
- National Anthem played by the Hog Wild Band. Nobody does it better.
Player Introductions
- With the house lights up, play non-descript music as a backdrop for the visitor starting lineups. RBN suggestion: Love On A Real Train (Tangerine Dream).
- Here’s where the fun starts. House lights completely down. Remix countdown…’4, 3, 2, 1′…cue the video board with a computer animated Razorback highlight video designed by Luma Studios. Accent it with the new 360-degree LED display, laser show…all you got. And have the pom squad dancing at center court to one of these songs:
- Where The Streets Have No Name (U2)
- Eminence Front (Remix) (The Who)
- Remember The Name (Fort Minor)
- Starting lineups and coaches introduced by current PA announcer Johnny George. (We’re voting to keep him for now.) After the intros but before the opening tip, pipe in music to keep the energy high. RBN suggestion: Calm Before The Storm (Darude).
Timeouts
- Alternate full timeouts between the Hog Wild Band and high-energy, ‘NBA-type’ music. Have the pom squad on the floor for both. Cheerleaders and mascots on the floor during the band timeouts. RBN suggestions for the piped in music include:
- Gonna Make You Sweat (C&C Music Factory)
- Bust A Move (Young MC)
- Pump Up The Volume (M.A.R.R.S.)
- Rapper’s Delight (Sugar Hill Gang)
- 1,2,3,4 (Coolio)
- C’mon & Ride It (The Train) (Quad City DJs)
- Welcome To The Jungle (Guns ‘N’ Roses)
- Ready To Go (Republica)
- Hey, Ya! (OutKast)
- Funky Cold Medina (Tone-Loc)
- Jump (Van Halen)
- Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) (Big & Rich)
- …and so ‘the old people’ don’t feel left out…
- Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
- Back In Black (AC/DC)
- Get Down On It (Kool And The Gang)
- Nowhere To Run (Martha & The Vandellas)
- A Little Less Conversation (Elvis Presley)
- 20-second timeouts and halftime by the Hog Wild Band and Spirit Groups.
A New Ring Leader
- What you’re looking for here is someone who is creative, energetic, imaginative, funny, and has a genuine passion for Razorback athletics. Someone in the mold of a Kyle Thompson, for example. Many of you may know Kyle as one of the “Infield Fly Guys” who entertain and energize fans at Baum Stadium. (Plus, anyone who knows the words and can sing the “Tendercrisp Bacon Cheddar Ranch” jingle on the spur of the moment has our vote.)
In the end, what we’re trying to achieve is Energy. Energy for the players…they feed off it. Energy for the students…who come to support their team and be entertained. Energy for all the fans. And I guarantee the ‘older generation’ will come to love it in time. With the John Pelphrey era getting off to a positive start, now is the time to ‘strike while the iron is hot’ and give the BWA experience a long overdue and much-needed 21st Century overhaul.
If you feel strongly like we do, let ‘em know. E-mail Spirit Group Coordinator Jean Nail, Hog Wild Band Director Tim Gunter, Marketing Director Matt Shanklin and Associate AD Bill Gray. We owe it to our coach, players and fellow fans to voice our opinion.
Nice work Sunshine. I must admit that my song selection would be somewhat different, a little edgier in places, perhaps a little mainstream occasionally. But the ideas are there. Thanks for providing emails for the various responsible parties. I'm sure they have checked to see what caused the emails by now.
As for the artwork, It makes me wonder if I spend too much time on college athletics. Maybe it really is just a game, something to kill some time on Saturday afternoon.
Hmmm…here's a coincidence. This was released today by the UA:
Additional Suites Being Added to Bud Walton Arena
Sometimes I get the feeling this is the only type of "upgrade" that we know how (or are willing) to do.
This will change the landscape on both ends. You won't be able to see of the seats anymore.
Did you really expect a real "upgrade" of any kind? Would there be money in it for the UofA? If not, it won't change.
Sunshine definately has the right idea. As far as the UofA not doing an up-grade in this manner would be foolish. We would benefit greatly in the long run with recruiting. Sure, putting a better team on the floor will increase the ticket sales, but you have to out recruit your compitition before you can beat them consistantly. I hope this will be something our new coach will consider a major issue, that needs to be addressed. With constant E-mailings from fans with new ideas, maybe the point will come forward.
Sunshine you are hired. Get down to business and make this work for next year.
Ever consider these things have already been considered. I know for a fact that 1 of the first three (not saying which one) have already been discussed as a very real possibility in the future.
Great stuff. I combined all of the emails into one line of code for you:
Click here email them all at once.
Seth…thanks for the link!
Hogfan…we've considered that some of these suggestions have already been…considered. We're not here to take credit for being unbelievably innovative and original. We just want to see some action taken. As the old saying goes, "the proof is in the pudding."
All the RazorBloggers are longtime basketball season ticket holders and go to almost every home game. Other than adding the video board a while back (which, by the way, is not even CLOSE to being fully utilized), there has been basically no change to the game experience at BWA in YEARS.
Considering is one thing…doing something is another.
I agree with pretty much everything except for the pregame routine. Something about William Tell with the student section jumping all over the place and then singing until the ball is tipped isn't gonna be replaced by music being piped in. Oh, and BRING BACK THE DECIBEL METER!!!!!
Hey guys, thought I'd say you did a great job with this series. Bottom line, we need more students. Lower student ticket prices, make the student section bigger, and I think you've got a lot of your problems with the environment solved right there.
Wouldn't hurt to put them behind the basket either, not that there's any chance of that happening.
THB…thanks. Enjoy reading your site.
I don't agree with giving students more tickets. I agree with lowering the prices, but I think giving the students 10,000 seat in RRS is a joke. The FB tickets were a $1 a piece a couple of years ago and aren't much more than that now. What happened when they lowered the ticket prices is that students who didn't really care a lick about the game went and bought tickets… then after the first game or two they stopped coming. I say keep the student section the same and like everyone says… GET THEM CLOSER TO THE COURT!
This was a great series. We decided that Sunshine was the perfect person to write this. Great job Sunshine!! We've been talking about this for the last two years and I've said much about it in my basketball posts. It is great that everyone enjoyed it. We've gotten good link traffic on it. Feel free to suggest others.
10KHog – The student section has been pretty full in RRS. My kid is a student and he sits with me half the time because of the crowd over there. I'm more than ok with the student section.
The Hog Blogger – I trademarked that name 'hogblogger' you know . . . lol …….. just send money occasionally.
Hopelessly – I'm with you on the meter. I'd also mic the band like Robkin used to do in Barnhill.
As to the band – it can be much better than it is. It once was. (disclosure – my brother-in-law was a 4 year Hog Wilder back in the day) Go back to a drumkit with supporting drums, mic the band, get a band leader with some enthusiam and imagination, and please add some new songs. As mentioned by Sunshine, play songs to match the mood of the game, not just because of some schedule. I remember Eddie talking about a big game in Barnhill and saying he told Robkin to play the William Tell at every timeout if necessary. I remember Eddie giving the signal for the song at times. I remember hearing it 3 times once in the last 10 minutes of a game.
And think about it, we traded Robkin's crazy running tour of Barnhill for a portly guy strollling around with a sign that says 'Razorback Fans Are Standing'.
I feel old in that I can remember when almost all of the songs were added. I've been watching this show for a long time.
Season ticket holders who have no intention of coming but a few times a year, yet have choice seats, are a problem. I know who they are, because I sit in their seats.
The food and drinks are too expensive.
They should sell the 'turnback tickets' for $10 walk-up. Or better yet…..
They should go to scanned tickets so that tickets could be made more portable – could be transferred by email like you can do with Ticketmaster. And then add an on-line exchange so that tickets can be traded right up until game time.
They should set up the halftime performance better instead of just rushing into them. I like the dances.
I agree – the big scoreboard is way underutilized.
Hogfan – I suspect a lot of things may be considered. I'm with Tippy – I just really know what gets done.
The product on the floor this year was really pretty good. The attendance issues started long before Stan.
And sorry, that arena is too big. Especially if we are not going to use it to bring concerts to NWA.