[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

ASU switched from Division II to Division I in the mid '80s. At that time, we had a great football team and began playing some bigger teams (Texas A&M, Ole Miss). Of course, they were "filler" games for the big teams, but we did pretty good and held our own.

Arkansas flat out refused to play ASU. Their thinking is that if (and even I admit that it is a huge, giant, enormous IF) ASU won, it would hurt Arkansas. In other words, the Hogs have nothing to gain and everything to lose by playing the Red Wolves. They think that it would help ASU's recruiting and hurt UA's fanbase (many ASU alumns and students still support Arkansas). Many people also believe that if Arkansas State were to win against UA, it would help ASU to become the second flagship school for the state. And, many people do not want that.

To this day, the Athletic Director of Arkansas has refused to schedule any game of any sport against Arkansas State. The rumor is that any AD hired has to agree to this as a stipulation of getting the job.

A couple of times, some legislator in the Arkansas government has introduced a bill that would require Arkansas to play ASU. (That's how Florida State eventually got Florida to play them when Florida refused.) Each time, the bill has been shot down by legislators who are Arkansas alumns.

A football game of Arkansas against Arkansas State could be scheduled annually and held at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. It would be an awesome financial impact on Little Rock because I sincerely believe that so many UA and ASU fans would attend. I would certainly travel from Dallas to see it. Hotels, restaurants, souveniors would all be full or sold out.

The only thing stopping it is the University of Arkansas athletic department and administration. And, until they do play ASU, I will always cheer for whoever plays the Hogs.

Sounds like they should change their mascot to the chicken! LSU isn't afraid to play any other team in the state. ULM had a similar story of going from division II to I, but we wished we'd stayed Div II. We were national champs in 87. Beating Bama and Arkansas has been the best medicine to heal the divide after they changed our name and mascot in the late 90s. Lots of alums still won't claim ULM. Oh well, things change.