Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/28/2010 at 8:15am

Recently, we learned Arkansas is near the bottom of the SEC when it comes to financial commitment from fans. It doesn't help that the Razorbacks are dead last in the SEC in season ticket donation requirements for premium seating.

A $150 requirement (when weighed with lifetime giving) could get you one of the best seats in the house. According to data compiled by the athletic department, a similar seat would cost you a $1,300 donation if you had been born an Alabama fan.

Should that change, expect people to complain.

Fans complain now about how expensive travel costs are just to drive from Little Rock to Fayetteville. They complain even more when they talk about raising ticket prices.

Ask yourselves a question Arkansas fans, do you want pity from the program or do you want to compete in the SEC?

Arkansas is in a tough position. The UA has the cheapest student tickets in the conference and can’t fill up the student section. The Razorbacks have the cheapest donation requirement for season ticket holders, and can’t sell out the stadium.

There were entire sections barren last season in some home games at Razorback Stadium in one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. Even in 2007, attendance wasn’t great. At least it wasn’t where it should have been with a Heisman Trophy runner-up returning. Arkansas has the most electrifying player in the nation, and can’t sell out that stadium?

It’s perplexing.

Arkansas has the 8th largest stadium in the SEC, the cheapest seats and some of the highest expectations... and they haven’t been able to sell out that stadium for every game. Raising minimum donation requirements would certainly help Arkansas become more competitive in the SEC year in and year out.

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t, as fans, say your team should be better when you’re responsible for the program ranking so low in the financial commitment game in the SEC.

I have some advice for Hog fans, stop complaining, go to more games, and spend more money. If you really want to be like Alabama and Florida and LSU, spend the money Alabama fans and Florida fans and LSU fans do.

If you want pity from the program and a more comfortable pocket book, don’t expect to be anything more than little ol’ Arkansas.

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TJ Carpenter is the host of The TJ Carpenter Show on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket in Northwest Arkansas, every weekday from 3-6 p.m. Read more from TJ on his Unstoppable Blog.

Tagged: Arkansas Razorbacks, Southeastern Conference, Reynolds Razorback Stadium, TJ Carpenter