Arkansas Razorbacks men's tennis

History

After classes were first held at the university, a contest was held on campus to select school colors. Cardinal (a shade of deep red) was selected over heliotrope, a shade of moderate purple. The first Arkansas football team was formed that same year and was known as the "Arkansas Cardinals". Arkansas merchandise sold at the highest levels in school history during the 2012–13 academic year when royalties through CLC ranked 10th best in the nation.

In 1909, the football team finished a 7–0 season, allowing only 18 points on defense and scoring 186 points on offense. College Football Hall of Fame coach Hugo Bezdek proclaimed his team played "like a wild band of razorback hogs". The name proved so popular that it was changed for the 1910 season. The tradition of calling the hogs, "Woo, Pig! Sooie" was added in the 1920s.

In 1957, Frank Broyles was hired as the head football coach and served in that position for 19 years (1957-1976). Broyles' team was awarded the 1964 National Championship by the Football Writers Association of America and the Helms Athletic Foundation. At the time, the AP Poll and UPI Coaches Poll both awarded their championships before bowl games, and they gave their awards to an undefeated Alabama. However, Alabama lost the 1965 Orange Bowl game to Texas (a team Arkansas defeated in Austin, TX 14-13), while Arkansas won the 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic against Nebraska. The FWAA and HAF both awarded their national championship designations to Arkansas, who was the only team to go undefeated through the bowl games that year. Both the University of Arkansas and the University of Alabama claimed national championships for 1964.

In 1969, Broyles' team was ranked #2 and played the #1-ranked Texas Longhorns, coached by Darrell Royal, in Fayetteville. The game, known as "The Big Shootout" is perhaps the most notable football game in Razorback history. President Richard Nixon was even in attendance. The Razorbacks led 14–0 until the 4th quarter when Texas scored 15 unanswered points and won the game 15-14. Nixon gave Texas the UPI national championship trophy after the game. In the second half, Arkansas missed a field goal attempt, and then turned the ball over inside the Texas 5 yard line on another possession.

After Broyles left coaching to focus on his other job as Athletic Director, he hired Lou Holtz to take over his former position. Holtz served as the head football coach from 1977 through the 1983 season. Under Holtz, the Razorbacks continued their success, beating Oklahoma in the 1978 Orange Bowl to finish the 1977 season 11-1 overall and ranked #3 in the final polls. After finishing the 1978 season 9-2-1 with a tie against UCLA in the 1978 Fiesta Bowl, Arkansas won a share of the Southwest Conference championship in 1979, but lost to Alabama in the 1980 Sugar Bowl to finish 10-2. Holtz's last four teams finished 7-5 in 1980, 8-4 in 1981, 9-2-1 in 1982, and 6-5 in 1983.

Sports sponsored

Men's sports

The baseball team, led by former Razorback Dave Van Horn, has reached the postseason NCAA tournament every year except one (2016) since he began coaching the team in 2003. In 2012, they reached the College World Series compiling a 2–0 record in Omaha before falling in consecutive games to two times defending national champion South Carolina in the championship of Bracket Two. South Carolina was defeated in the National Championship Series by Arizona.

The Razorbacks most recently also reached the 2018 College World Series where they finished runner-up to Oregon State, joining previous appearances in Omaha in 1979 (finished runner-up); 1985; 1987, 1989, 2004, 2009, and 2015. The team plays home games at Baum Stadium, located just south of campus, and which finished several major renovations in 2004 and 2009.

Many Razorbacks players have gone on to the majors, perhaps the most successful is Cliff Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award Winner, with the most recent being Dallas Keuchel of the Houston Astros.

The basketball team plays its home games in Bud Walton Arena on the University of Arkansas campus. One of the top 10 NCAA programs of all time, the Razorbacks were ushered into the modern era on the shoulders of Coach Eddie Sutton (800 game-winner). Under the leadership of Nolan Richardson, the Razorbacks won the NCAA tournament in 1994 defeating Duke University, and appeared in the championship game the following year, but were beaten by UCLA. The Razorbacks have been to NCAA Final Four in 1941, 1945, 1978, 1990, 1994 and 1995, though the first two were achieved before the NCAA gathered the final four teams in one site.

The current head coach for the men's basketball team is John Calipari. Calipari replaced former head coach Eric Musselman who lead Arkansas to two Elite Eights and a Sweet Sixteen appearance. On March 26, 2007, Stan Heath was fired as the head coach of the men's basketball team. John Pelphrey ultimately replaced Heath and made the 2008 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, but did not make any subsequent postseason appearances and was fired after the 2010–11 season. Pelphrey compiled a 69–59 overall record and 25–39 SEC conference record while at Arkansas. Mike Anderson was announced as the new men's Basketball head coach on March 23, 2011.

Women's sports

The Razorback women's basketball team plays home games in Bud Walton Arena, often referred to as the "Basketball Palace of Mid-America". The building is located on the University of Arkansas campus. The women's basketball team completed its 39th season in 2014–15, and has made 21 postseason appearances (from AIAW through the current NCAA era). The Razorbacks' made their first NCAA Women's Final Four appearance in 1998, with the help of team leader Christy Smith.

The cross country track team is led by head coach Chris Johnson. They practice and compete on cross country course at the university's Agricultural Experiment Station north of the main campus. The course is also home to the men's cross country team. Harter is the first Arkansas coach to have his team ranked No. 1 in the nation, and has won more SEC cross country titles than any other member institution. The women's team won its first national championship at the NCAA Women's Division I Cross Country Championship in Terre Haute, Indiana, in November 2019. The win completed a calendar-year sweep after the university's indoor and outdoor track and field teams won their respective championships.

The golf team is headed by coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. The team practices both at Blessings course, which is located a few minutes from the University of Arkansas campus in Johnson, Arkansas, and also at the Fred W. and Mary B. Smith Razorback Golf Training Facility—which is also located at Blessings course—which features both indoor and outdoor practice areas. The men's golf team utilizes both areas as well.

The gymnastics team is referred to as the GymBacks. They are head coached by former US Olympian Jordyn Wieber. They practice in the Bev Lewis Center for Women's Athletics and compete in Barnhill Arena, both of which are located on the University of Arkansas campus. The Gym'Backs have five NCAA Regional appearances (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008), advanced two individuals (Dana McQuillin and Casey Jo Magee) to the NCAA Championship and hosted the 2006 NCAA South Central Regional.

At the 2006 Regionals, the Gym'Backs placed second in a six-team field, qualifying them for the NCAA National Championships for the first time. They repeated this feat in 2008.

Also in 2008, team members Michelle Stout and Casey Jo Magee, became the Gym'Backs first All-Americans. Stout reached the first-team status on vault while Magee became a two-time second-team member on vault and uneven bars.

Notable non-varsity sports

Rugby

Founded in 1971, the University of Arkansas Rugby Club is the longest-tenured sports club on campus. Arkansas plays college rugby in the Division 1 Heart of America conference, a conference composed mostly of Big 12 and SEC teams. The team plays at Walker Park, just south of the Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. Arkansas rugby is led by head coach Warren Fyfe.

Arkansas has consistently been one of the best teams in the Heart of America conference, winning the conference title in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 school years, and finishing second in 2011–12. Arkansas defeated Kansas 28–12 to reach the finals of the 2012 Heart of America 7s tournament, where they lost to Lindenwood.

Ice hockey

The Razorback hockey program was founded in 2007 as a club team playing in the ACHA's Division III. Playing their first full season in 2008–09, the Hogs posted a 6–6–0 record in the SECHC: since then, the team has yet to record a losing season, with five SECHC titles in their history. This success allowed the first team to move up to ACHA Division I in 2015–16, playing in the WCHL: a second team was added by the club that remains in DIII and the SECHC. Eventually, the teams would merge back into one, play at the Division II level, and move to the MACHA when the SECHC left ACHA for a rival sanctioning body. In 2021, the Ice Hogs reached the ACHA Division II national final but lost to Hope College. Home games are played at the Jones Center Rink in nearby Springdale and attract large crowds, reflecting the growth in popularity of hockey in Northwest Arkansas. The club's biggest rival is Missouri State: the Razorbacks and Ice Bears play an annual home-and-away series, with great attendance at both venues.

Cycling

The University of Arkansas Cycling Club is one of the fastest-growing sports clubs on campus. For the past five years, Arkansas Cycling Club has hosted its annual cycling event, the Arkansas Classic, which attracts collegiate and non-collegiate cyclists from over 10 states, some from as far as Minnesota and Wisconsin. The club represents the university in the South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference (SCCCC), competing against teams from Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Arkansas Cycling competes in most disciplines of cycling, especially Road and Mountain at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Rivalries

Through the administrations of athletic directors John Barnhill, George Cole, Frank Broyles, and Jeff Long, the University of Arkansas maintained a policy of not competing against other in-state Division I schools. There are four other Division I schools in the state of Arkansas: Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (athletically branded as "Little Rock"), University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. ASU is the only school of the three to compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision; Little Rock does not have football, while Arkansas–Pine Bluff and Central Arkansas compete in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Arkansas played its first football game against Arkansas–Pine Bluff in 2021 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock; they returned there in 2024. Its first football game against Arkansas State took place on September 5, 2025 at War Memorial Stadium, resulting in an Arkansas win 56-14. It has yet to play Central Arkansas in football, though they did play in basketball in 2024.

Historically, Arkansas' most heated rivalry was with the Longhorns of the University of Texas. However, the rivalry became much less intense since the two teams joined different conferences in the early 1990s; they met infrequently until Texas joined Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference in fall 2024, when their football rivalry resumed. Texas leads the series in football and baseball, while Arkansas holds the series lead in basketball and track & field.

Another rival from the state of Texas is Texas A&M. During their Southwest Conference rivalry days, the two teams played annually in all sports. In 2009, the football rivalry resumed again on an annual basis, played each year at AT&T Stadium (except 2012, 2013 & 2020) thru 2024. The rivalry in all other sports resumed in the fall of 2012 after A&M joined the SEC.

Since joining the Southeastern Conference the Razorbacks have developed a rivalry with Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers) in football. The game between these two teams usually takes place near the end of the season and has sometimes decided the SEC Western Division Championship. The winner of this game takes home the "Golden Boot" which is a gold trophy in the shape of the two states. Arkansas took the Golden Boot home in 2007 with a 50–48 win over the #1 ranked Tigers in Baton Rouge. This was their first time winning the trophy since 2002. Arkansas and LSU have also built a rivalry in baseball, as the two schools have been at the top of the NCAA attendance standings for the past several seasons. In 2001, despite coming into the series in last place in the SEC West, Arkansas swept a three-game series from top-ranked LSU, which won the 2000 College World Series, in Fayetteville. Since the University of Missouri has entered the Southeastern Conference, a new rivalry was created in 2014 called the Battle Line Rivalry that goes back and forth between both school in Football.

Mascots

The live mascot for the University of Arkansas is named Tusk. He is a Russian boar that weighs in at approximately 400 pounds. Tusk currently resides on the Stokes family farm in Dardanelle, Ark., and makes a two-hour trek up to Northwest Arkansas for every Razorback football game. The current mascot, Tusk VI, is a direct descendant of Tusk I. The live mascot program at Arkansas is supported by the Tusk Fund, which is administered by the Razorback Foundation.

There are a number of costumed mascots for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks that attend most major sporting events. Big Red (aka the "Fighting Razorback") is the traditional mascot for the university and represents the intimidating fighting spirit of the Razorbacks at all athletic events. Sue E., is the female hog and is famous for her costume changes and dancing ability. Pork Chop is the "kid" mascot. Ribby is the baseball team's mascot. Boss Hog, a nine-foot inflatable mascot, joined the mascot family during the 1998–99 football season.

The Razorback was officially adopted as the university's mascot in 1909 after Hugo Bezdek, the coach at the time, stated after a big win that his team played like a "wild band of razorback hogs". Subsequently, the razorback became the mascot for the entire university, replacing the cardinals as the official mascot. The only current athletic logo for the university is the classic or running hog as has been depicted on the program's football helmets. The university has ceased manufacture of memorabilia with any of the other logos in an attempt to re-brand the athletic department.

National team championships

NCAA team championships

Arkansas has won 54 NCAA team national championships.

Men's (45)

Basketball (1): 1994

Cross Country (11): 1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000

Indoor Track & Field (22): 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2023, 2026

Outdoor Track & Field (11): 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004 (vacated), 2005 (vacated), 2026

Women's (9)

Cross Country (1): 2019

Indoor Track & Field (5): 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024

Outdoor Track & Field (3): 2016, 2019, 2024

see also

List of NCAA schools with the most NCAA Division I championships

SEC NCAA team championships

Other national team championships

Men's

Football (1): 1964

Arkansas' 1964 football team was recognized contemporaneously as the national champion by the Football Writers Association of America, Helms Athletic Foundation and Poling System, and retroactively by the College Football Researchers Association, Billingsley Report, National Championship Foundation, and Sagarin Ratings. Although the NCAA has never bestowed championships at the highest level of football, the NCAA website lists Arkansas as one of three national champions in 1964 as chosen by selecting organizations, along with Alabama and Notre Dame.

Notable athletes

Football

Brandon Burlsworth – went from walk-on in 1995 to All-American offensive lineman in 1998, drafted in the 3rd round by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999, died less than a month after he was drafted in a car accident, subject of the 2016 film Greater (film).

Joe Adams – All-American returner in 2011, played for the Carolina Panthers.

Fred Akers – former head coach at University of Texas.

Lance Alworth – played for the San Diego Chargers, won Super Bowl VI with the Dallas Cowboys. Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame member.

Gary Anderson – USFL and NFL running back.

Shawn Andrews – 2× All-SEC, 2× All-American in 2002 and 2003, played for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Steve Atwater – All-American in 1988, eight-time Pro Bowler for the Denver Broncos where won Super Bowls XXXII and XXXIII. Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jim Benton – played for the Cleveland Rams, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams in the 1930s and 1940s. Member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team.

John Bond – offensive coordinator for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team.

William "Bud" Brooks – All American and winner of the Outland Trophy for the nation's best interior lineman in 1954.

Frank Broyles – played football at Georgia Tech for Coach Bobby Dodd, but as coach found success throughout the 1960s. Under Broyles, Arkansas claimed the 1964 national championship. After retiring from coaching in 1976, has been well known as the Arkansas men's athletic director (1974–2007) and a broadcaster for ABC Sports. Member, College Football Hall of Fame.

Basketball

Darius Acuff Jr. – Consensus first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, and Jerry West Award recipient in 2026.

John Adams – 1941 All-American and one of several individuals credited with inventing the jump shot.

Corey Beck – a member of the 1994 national championship team, and played for four seasons in the NBA most notably with the Charlotte Hornets

Patrick Beverley – three-time NBA All-Defensive Team member and current point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ron Brewer – drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round (7th pick) of the 1978 NBA draft. Played eight years in the league for six teams. Played on the 1978 Final Four team as one of the famed "Triplets".

Ronnie Brewer – son of Ron Brewer. First-round NBA draft choice of the Utah Jazz in 2006.

Gordon Carpenter – gold medalist at 1948 Summer Olympics

Shameka Christon – Plays for WNBA's New York Liberty.

Todd Day – UA all-time leading scorer, All-American in 1992, played on the 1990 Final Four team, played for five NBA teams, most notably Milwaukee Bucks

Marvin Delph – one of "The Triplets" was drafted but never played in the NBA choosing to play for Athletes in Action, a Christian ministry. Played on the 1978 Final Four team.

Daniel Gafford - All-SEC Freshman and 2019 All-SEC First Team, current Center for the Dallas Mavericks .

Scott Hastings – long-time NBA center

Baseball

Andrew Benintendi - seventh overall pick by Boston Red Sox in 2015 MLB Draft; 2015 Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy winner. Member of 2018 World Series Championship Boston Red Sox team.

Eric Hinske – 2002 American League Rookie of the Year, currently an Arizona Diamondback

Dallas Keuchel – Currently plays for the Chicago White Sox, Four-time Gold Glove Award and 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner.

Jeff King – played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals

Cliff Lee – played for the Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies, American League Cy Young Award winner and AL Comeback Player of the Year in 2008.

Tim Lollar – won 47 Major League games pitching for 4 teams over 7 seasons

Kevin McReynolds – played for New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, and San Diego Padres

James McCann (baseball) - All-Star catcher currently playing for the New York Mets

Mel McGaha – former Major League manager; also played in NBA

Tom Pagnozzi – played for St. Louis Cardinals

Robert Person – Pitcher for the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox

Johnny Ray – 10 year Major League second baseman with Pittsburgh Pirates and Anaheim Angels

Drew Smyly - Veteran Major League pitcher with stincts with the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays

Golf

Miller Barber – top PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour player

Austin Cook – golfer

John Daly – winner of two professional major championships

Andrew Landry – Web.com Tour winner

Stacy Lewis – NCAA individual champion, 2007. Won individual and team championship at 2006 World Student Games. Finished 3rd in 2008 Women's U.S. Open, her professional debut.

David Lingmerth – Web.com Tour winner and PGA tour player

Brenden Pappas – Nationwide Tour winner

Deane Pappas – has won on Nationwide Tour and Sunshine Tour

Tag Ridings – Nationwide Tour winner

R. H. Sikes – won 1963 NCAA individual title, two PGA Tour events

Stacy Lewis – LPGA Tour golfer, winner of two professional major championships

Track and field

Niall Bruton – Two-time winner of NCAA indoor mile, Irish Olympian.

Veronica Campbell-Brown – Won three gold medals and a bronze in two Olympic Games competing for Jamaica in sprints. Won 100 meter and second in 200 meter at 2007 World Championships.

Mike Conley – Olympic silver medalist in 1984 and gold medalist in 1992 in the triple jump. Member of the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame

Alistair Cragg – Top Irish distance runner.

Calvin Davis – Won bronze medal in 400 meter hurdles at 1996 Summer Olympics.

Joe Falcon – US's top miler in 1990.

Edrick Floreal – Canadian Olympic triple jumper, head coach at Stanford.

Tyson Gay – Won 100 and 200 meter sprints at 2007 World Championships.

Matt Hemingway – Silver medalist in high jump in 2004 Olympic Games.

Robert Howard – Two-time Olympic participant. Won nine NCAA titles in triple and long jumps.

Deena Kastor – Holder of the US marathon record. Won bronze medal in Olympic marathon in 2004.

Seneca Lassiter – Among top American milers, winning USATF 1500-meter run twice.

Jarrion Lawson – 2016 winner of The Bowerman. First since Jesse Owens to sweep the 100, 200, and long jump in the same NCAA championship.

Gymnastics

Katherine Grable – 2014 NCAA Champion on Vault and Floor. Second in the All-Around at the NCAA Event Finals.