Like It Is

In heat of action, here's some food for thought

WALLY HALL
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Since the temperature will be at a temper-inducing 100-plus for kickoff Saturday night, it is time to call for a 48-hour truce on everything debatable.
That means no talk about which stadium has the best atmosphere.
Where the players prefer to play.
Who should be quarterback.
Which radio call-in show is best.
Why Razorbacks fans from eastern and southern Arkansas are still hurt.
Is there more to this self-probe the University of Arkansas did than meets the eye.
And most of all, which is better, Southwestern Bell's Trough or Alltel's Pig Palace.
There will be enough tension among the tents without the fans getting involved.
Of course, the winner of that food fight will be neither phone company.
The winner is obviously the Razorbacks fans.
Both companies offer cheap eats before the game (you will need your game ticket as this is a pregame activity, not a Sharefest).
Both offer something special.
And both are donating the proceeds.
Here's a quick scouting report on each:
Alltel's Pig Palace, located in the valley between the north parking lot and Markham, will come out in a full-house formation.
Corliss Williamson will be on hand to sign autographs. Former Razorbacks and Arkansas Twisters players C.J. McLain and Anthony Eubanks will be there, too.
The Twisters cheerleaders and former Razorbacks cheerleaders will be there, as well as a NASCAR simulator for kids, and there will be drawings for tickets to the Faith Hill/Tim McGraw concert at, of course, Alltel Arena.
Proceeds go to War Memorial Stadium and Keith Jackson's P.A.R.K. (they've also donated 25 tickets to the game for kids in the program).
A plate of barbecue, prepared by the Arkansas Pork Producers, will go for $5, and every visitor will receive a foam No. 1 finger.
This tent is co-sponsored by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, but we obviously love a good picnic because we are also co-sponsors of the SWB Trough.
The Trough will open with lots of play-action options.
Jennings Osborne will quarterback the cooking and for $5 you can get a tray of food that would put a serious hurt on the Hogs' offensive line.
The food on one tray weighs in at 8 pounds and includes ribs, pork barbecue, chicken and fixings.
The always-entertaining Craig O'Neill, from KTHV, Channel 11, will host the festivities that will include trivia contests and prizes.
Osborne has also ordered, and hopes to have ready for the first 2,500 visitors, good old-fashioned hand fans, which by the end of the first quarter could be priceless.
Imagine 54,000 bodies swimming in a hog-calling bowl of perspiration and what a self-induced breeze could do for an individual.
Proceeds from the Trough go to War Memorial Stadium and the UA athletic department.
The Razorbacks pregame march will go right by this tent, which will be on the north end closest to the stadium.
Also, visitors will receive an Osborne hat, and if you are sitting on the east side, you will need it as you will be looking into the sun.
Both tents will kick off at 5 p.m. and close with the kickoff of the game.
If anyone goes to the game hungry, it won't be the fault of Southwestern Bell or Alltel.

In Thursday's column a reference was made of Stephens Sports Management being almost defunct.
Wrong.
While it is true it no longer has clients in the NBA or NFL, the agency, led by Kevin Scanlon, does represent several baseball players, including three major-leaguers.

This article was published on Friday, September 1, 2000

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