Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

3/26/2011 at 4:35pm

Image by Mark Wagner

Approximately 5,000 fans gathered to welcome Mike Anderson back to Arkansas. Anderson, an assistant for 17 years at Arkansas from 1985-2002, was announced Saturday as the Razorbacks' coach.

Judging from the crowd that showed up to greet Mike Anderson at Bud Walton Arena on Saturday, it’s safe to say fans are excited about a new basketball coach. An estimated 5,000-plus gathered to welcome Anderson, who was hired Wednesday from Missouri, and the reception was a loud one.

But fans aren’t just Calling the Hogs enthusiastically. New customers are apparently already calling for tickets, months before they go on sale. 

Arkansas basketball tickets aren’t officially available yet, but new accounts have been set up with the Razorback Foundation and ticket office in anticipation of them becoming available, Athletic Director Jeff Long said. Already more than 100 new accounts have been created, and Long estimated each account would be requesting “three or four tickets.”

It’s quite a contrast to an almost decade-long decline in ticket sales. Crowds dipped from 17,148 to 16,043 and then from 13,182 to 12,022 in John Pelphrey’s four seasons.

“That’s without even bringing it up from our standpoint,” Long said. “That’s just fans wanting to get back up … you better get in if you want those because I do think we’re going to have the kind of success that people are going to be back and it’s going to be hard to get those tickets again.”

Anderson, who was at Arkansas as an assistant from 1985-2002, addressed fan support and declining attendance when talking to media on Saturday. He made reference to routine sellouts and said he expected to get back to that point.

Arkansas moved from 9,000-seat Barnhill Arena to 19,000-seat Bud Walton Arena while Anderson was at the school. His 17 years as an assistant to Nolan Richardson included 389 victories, three Final Fours, a 1994 national title and a 1995 runner-up finish.

“I’m used to seeing officials have to cover their ears because it’s so loud in here,” Anderson said. “I’m used to winning. I’m used to winning. How about that?”

Anderson later added, “It’s time to fill this place up baby. Better get your tickets now.”

Arkansas could use a bump in ticket sales to help pay Anderson's salary. He's set to earn $2.2 million annually for the next seven years, placing him among the nation's 10 to 15 highest-paid coaches.

Tagged: Arkansas Razorbacks, Razorback Foundation, Mike Anderson, John Pelphrey, Bud Walton Arena, Jeff Long