Resident News Network

UAFS Announces Golf Schedules

Sports

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1:46 am

FORT SMITH – The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith golf programs have announced their fall tournament slates, with each team set to compete four times during the first semester.

Women’s golf tees off its season September 11-12 at the Northeastern State Invitational at Cherokee Springs Golf Club in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, of which the Lions are the defending champions.

The same can be said about their second tournament with the RJGA Shootout at Estrella Sept. 18-19 at the Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear, Arizona.

The second half of the fall schedule includes the WT Fall Invitational October 2-3 at La Paloma Golf Club in Amarillo, Texas, with the Lions then wrapping up the fall Oct. 16-17 at the Nick Turner invitational at Arroyo del Oso Golf Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico. UAFS was third at the Nick Turner Invitational in 2022 after winning the event in 2021.

Men’s golf will follow a similar schedule to the women, teeing off the 2023-24 season with the NSU Invitational Sept. 18-19 at Muskogee Country Club in Muskogee, Oklahoma. They will then head to Ruidoso, New Mexico, Sept. 25-26 for the RJGA South Central Shootout at Inn of the Mountain Gods Golf Club.

The men will head to Amarillo the same dates as the women for the Ryan Palmer Invitational held at Amarillo Country Club. They will then conclude the fall Oct. 23-24 at the DBU Classic at the Golf Club of Dallas.

A spring schedule will be announced at a later date.

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Sports Information Office, Jostun Pomplun.

Getting Started with Sourdough

Madison VanRavensway

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10:53 pm

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Back in 2020 when the pandemic was just hitting and everyone was stuck in their homes learning to make sourdough starters, I was still working at the clinic I was at and very pregnant. Then when I was no longer working it was because I had just had a baby. The sourdough trend skipped me for about three years.

I said I wasn’t gonna get into it, I told it to myself. I said and said and said those words, I said them but I lied them. (Sneetches book anyone? What was I scared of? Dr Seuss is a staple in our home.)

Sourdough is simply water and flour that has been mixed together and created a live culture. When used in bread it acts as the ingredient that makes it rise.

I had been planning on giving it a try when a dear friend gave me some starter. More than making bread, I was intrigued by the discard recipes. So dear reader friends, I invite you to start your own sourdough journey along with me! There are lots of websites to get instructions from, this is what I have simplified several I read down to.

To begin gather your supplies

-Glass bowl

-wooden spoon

-tea towel

-filtered water

-flour

(A little caveat here, there are varying opinions on flour types and if unfiltered water will work. I used bleached flour and unfiltered water. It caused a lot of hooch, which means my starter was eating through the feed fast. Filtered water doesn’t cause that, additionally bleached flour seemed to have no negative effects even though it’s likely not as healthy as unbleached or whole wheat would be for your gut.)

Day 1

Combine one cup of water and one cup of flour. Mix until well combined, scrap sides and continue until mixed completely. Place tea towel and allow to sit for 24 hours.

Day 2-5

Remove half the mixture, add one cup of water and one cup of flour. Repeat mixing process and replace tea towel.

Make sure to discard to ensure the feed is adequate and the starter is at a manageable amount. Healthy starter is the goal, and discarding helps get there.

Day 6-7

Continue the steps from days 2-5 but move the feedings up to every 12 hours. By day seven there should be enough bacteria alive to bake with the starter!

Working, active starter should have lots of bubbles and be doubling in size after feeds.

Once the starter gets going it can be placed in the fridge to go dormant instead of feeding daily.

*note the photo is of refrigerated starter.

Obituary – Bonnie (Hawkins) Hill (1936-2023)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

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9:59 pm

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Obituary – Bonnie (Hawkins) Hill (1936-2023)

Bonnie (Hawkins) Hill, age 86, of Parks, Arkansas passed from this life into the arms of her Savior on July 30, 2023. She was born November 2, 1936 to Boman and Helen (Jameson) Hawkins in Parks, Arkansas.

Bonnie was a born-again Christian and a life-long member of the Parks Methodist Church. After graduating from Waldron High School in 1954, she attended Arkansas Tech College. She married Wallace Hill on August 21, 1958. After graduating from Arkansas Tech, they moved to Booneville, Arkansas where they taught school in the area. After receiving their masters degree at Ole Miss University, they relocated to their hometown of Parks, Arkansas and began teaching at Waldron. Bonnie taught 4th grade until 1969, when she took a break to raise kids and eventually take care of her parents. In 1990, she returned to Waldron and taught 2nd grade until 1997, when she retired.

Bonnie loved her family beyond measure. She enjoyed visiting with kids, grandkids, great grandkids, family, and friends. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband Wallace of the home; daughter Jennifer Vickers and husband David of Parks, Arkansas and son Damon Hill and wife Merlin of Atlanta, Georgia. Nana will forever remain in the hearts of her three grandchildren: Brittany and husband Garrett Phelps of Hartford, Arkansas; Kiara and Jasper both of Atlanta, Georgia; three great granddaughters: Peyton, Presley and Parker. Bonnie is also survived by her brother Harlon’s family.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Boman & Helen Hawkins, and a very special brother Harlon Hawkins.

Bonnie’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Keith Holleman and Roger Rice officiating. Interment will follow in the Parks Cemetery in Parks, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Bonnie’s pallbearers will be Damon Hill, David Vickers, Kyle Bohanan, Garrett Phelps, Tim Combs and Bill Frost. Honorary pallbearers will be Lou Nell Davis, Jane Ann Elmore, JB & Donna Turner, Wallace’s 1st cousins & spouses and Rick & Carla Brigance.

Bonnie’s visitation will be Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.

Back to School: Shop smart during Arkansas’ sales tax holiday

News

Tammy Teague

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4:16 pm

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Back to School: Shop smart during Arkansas’ sales tax holiday

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

The annual Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday can be a help to families sending children back to school, but a little planning can help shoppers save more and prevent unwelcome surprises at checkout, said extension family and consumer science experts

This year’s sales tax holiday begins Saturday, Aug. 5, at 12:01 a.m. and continues through Sunday, Aug. 6, at 11:59 p.m. State and local sales taxes will not be collected on the purchase of certain products. All retailers are required to participate.

“The sales tax holiday covers clothing, footwear, school supplies, art supplies and instructional materials,” said Laura Hendrix, associate professor and extension personal finance expert for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “It also includes electronics such as computers, printers, tablets, monitors and cell phones.”

The state Department of Finance and Administration has a list of eligible items online.

Before you go
Before heading out for back-to-school shopping, Hendrix recommends:

Take inventory of what you need or want to purchase.
Examine your budget and determine how much to spend.
Have a plan for how you will pay. “Credit card fees and interest can offset any savings you might have from not paying sales tax,” Hendrix said. “If using credit cards, have a plan to pay them off as soon as possible.”
Make a shopping list.
Set a spending limit.

Find practical financial information at the uaexMoney blog.

Tax free — what’s the big deal?

Kris Boulton, Saline County extension staff chair and family and consumer sciences agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, says shoppers need to look at the possible savings.

Arkansas has a 6.5 percent sales tax and depending on where you live, county and city sales taxes will also get tacked on to the bill.

“For ease of calculating let’s round up to 10 percent,” Boulton said. “If you are spending $200 on items for back to school that qualify for the tax-free holiday you would save close to $20. Now what if you are spending $500 your savings is now $50.

“What would you do with an extra $20-$50 in your wallet?” she said. “I can think of some good uses.”

Boulton said that while the Arkansas Sales Tax Holiday is a great resource to use while shopping for Back-to-School supplies, “let’s make sure we all know the items that qualify and the exemptions before we check out and have a rude surprise.

“Although it may be tax-free, it’s still not a bargain if it’s not something that will not be used,” she said.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. The Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

New Laws to go into Effect on August 1

News

Tammy Teague

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2:48 pm

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Arkansas lawmakers passed 890 laws during this year’s legislative session, and most take effect on Tuesday, August 1.

While some laws are already in effect with an emergency clause, the remaining legislation goes into effect 91 days after the session ended on May 1. Of the hundreds passed, 1/4 of those were appropriations bills.

EDUCATION

Act 237 — Commonly called the LEARNS Act, Governor Sarah Huckabee’s education bill brings changes to the state’s education system. Lawmakers included an emergency clause but it has been delayed due to a lawsuit.

Act 317 — Requires students at public and charter schools to use the bathrooms that align with their gender assigned at birth.

Act 511 — Prohibits public schools and colleges from requiring employees to participate in implicit bias training. An institution would not be prohibited from requiring implicit bias training if 95% of it “is required by an accreditor, grantor, or licensor.”

Act 542 — Requires Arkansas public school teachers and professors to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth. Students’ parents can provide written permission for students to go by other names or pronouns, but teachers will not be required to comply with such requests.

Act 654 — Amends the requirement for high school students to take a computer science course to graduate so they have the option to instead take a computer science-related career-and-technical education (CTE) course.

Act 883 — Requires a new oath of office for school board members that includes this statement: “… that I shall abide by the ethical guidelines and prohibitions under § 6-24-101 et seq…,” and sets penalties for failing to comply. The law also establishes new reasons school boards can meet behind closed doors and who can be in those meetings under the state’s Freedom of Information Act.

CHILDREN

Act 195 — Removes the requirement for children under 16 years old who wish to work in Arkansas to obtain an employment certificate from the Division of Labor.

Act 274 — Allows minors who receive gender-affirming health care to sue physicians for medical malpractice for providing this care up to 15 years after they turn 18.

Act 612 — Requires pornography websites to verify that users are at least 18 years old.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Act 41 — Extends the deadline to register a motor vehicle from 30 to 60 days when you buy a new car, move to Arkansas or take over ownership of a vehicle.

Act 629 — Outlaws Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 THC by classifying them Schedule IV drugs.

FIREARM

Act 777 — Clarifies that you don’t have to hold a permit to carry a concealed firearm in Arkansas.

Act 30 – Allows someone who sought voluntary mental health treatment to obtain a concealed carry permit after a certain period.

Act 757 – To protect the rights of medical marijuana patients and caregivers to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun.

Act 773 – Adults can be in possession of a handgun on school property when the person is on a jouney.

MISCELLANOUS

Act 160 — Requires able-bodied adults between the ages 19 and 64 to work, volunteer or participate in a workforce training program in order to receive federal housing assistance. People with disabilities, parents of children under 5 years old and participants in drug and alcohol treatment programs are exempt.

Act 889 — Authorizes the Arkansas Parole Board to create a mobile app with information about parolees and inmates who are being considered for parole.

ELECTION RELATED

Act 305 – This removes the ability for write-in candidates on election ballots.

Act 329 – A ballot count report provided to the county clerk will have:

a date of delivery
method of delivery
total number of ballots provided by ballot
names and signatures of the person delivering ballots

It also ensures a ballot count report is available to the public.

Act 353 – No absentee ballot drop boxes

No election officials or county clerks are allowed to use a drop box for absentee ballots.

Act 441 – This adds a change to Amendment 51 of the Arkansas Constitution to ensure the security and accuracy of the voter registration list. The Secretary of State under this law can communicate with other states and jurisdictions to compare voter rolls to prevent registration in multiple states and determine who can vote in Arkansas. It is also clarifies that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in the state.

Act 444 – This allows for the state’s election commissioner board to develop training for poll watchers. It also designates an observation area for poll watches at each location, but they are not allowed to wear campaign material advocating for or against a candidate or interfere with the duties of any election official. Poll watchers will be allowed to challenge a ballot under certain circumstances.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Act 707 – allows law enforcement to use automated cameras to catch images of drivers speeding through work zones. The images from the cameras will be transmitted to an officer down the road from the work site who will be able to write tickets or warnings.

For a full list of every act of the 94th General Assembly, click here.

Red Birds Continue to be Active in Trade Market, Acquire Minor League Pitchers from Texas

Sports

Resident News Network

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9:27 pm

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Red Birds Continue to be Active in Trade Market, Acquire Minor League Pitchers from Texas

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon that they have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Tekoah Roby, left-handed pitcher John King and infielder Thomas Saggese from the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton and International Signing Bonus Pool space.

Roby, 21, was the Rangers 3^rd round draft choice in 2020 out of Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla. The 6-1, 185-pound Roby has made 10 starts for Frisco (AA) this season, going 2-3 with a 5.05 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 46.1 innings pitched.

King, 28, has four seasons of major league experience, all with the Rangers. He was 7-5 with a 3.52 ERA out of the bullpen in 27 games in 2021 and owns a career mark of 10-10, 4.27 ERA in 87 games, all in relief.

Saggese, 21, was the Rangers 5^th round selection in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Carlsbad (Calif.) High School.

The 5-11, 175-pound right-handed hitting Saggese is batting .314 (6^th in all of Double-A) with 15 HR’s, 78 RBI (3^rd in AA) and a .894 OPS in 92 games for Frisco (AA) while playing second base, third base and shortstop.

Roby and Saggese will be assigned to the Springfield Cardinals (AA) club and King will report to St. Louis.

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball organization.

Cardinals Obtain Two Minor League Pitchers from Toronto for Jordan Hicks

Sports

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8:53 pm

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Cardinals Obtain Two Minor League Pitchers from Toronto for Jordan Hicks

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Cardinals announced this afternoon that they have acquired minor league right-handed pitchers Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed reliever Jordan Hicks.

Robberse, who pitched in the MLB Futures Game earlier this month, is a 21-year-old from Zeist, Netherlands who was signed by the Blue Jays in July of 2019.

The 6-1, 185-pound righty has started 18 games this season for New Hampshire (AA), going 3-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 88.2 innings pitched while posting a 1.17 WHIP (10^th in all of Double-A) and striking out 86.

Kloffenstein, 22, is a 6-5, 243-pound right-hander from Magnolia, Texas who was the Blue Jays 3^rd round draft choice in 2018.

Kloffenstein (pronounced KLOF-ehn-steen) has made 17 starts this season for the Fisher Cats at New Hampshire, going 5-5 with a 3.24 ERA (6^th in all of Double-A) in 89.0 innings of work. He’s struck out 105 this season and had one complete game effort.

Both Robberse and Kloffentstein will be assigned to the Memphis (AAA) roster.

Hicks, 26, was drafted by St. Louis in 2015 and was 1-6 with a 3.67 ERA and 8 saves this season in 40 games. He will become a free agent following the 2023 season.

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball organization.

2003 River Valley High School Football Notables

Sports

Resident News Network

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6:01 pm

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2003 River Valley High School Football Notables

FORT SMITH- It is hard to believe that twenty years has passed.

Arkansas high school football stars of the River Valley who culminated their careers in 2003 are now approximately 38 years old and undoubtedly looking back and wondering where the years have gone.

Football is especially suited for small towns. The game is a rallying point for community members, and the stars that we know so well and think we will never forget…well, time passes by, and the next group comes along the next year.

As the 2023 season approaches, we thought it would be fun to look back at a list of superstars from the River Valley that played 20 years ago. So, for fan debate on who should have made the list or who should not have made the list, here is our list to start the debate!

Wide Receiver: Slick Shelley, Fort Smith Southside

Defensive Lineman: Ryan Crumb, Greenwood

Defensive Back: Sean Kearny, Waldron

Defensive Back: Tracy Stiger, Russellville

Punter: Jeremy Davis, Fort Smith Southside

The list above is a comparative list of River Valley players versus other players at their positions across the state in 2003. Positions left off the list would have been named to players in other regions of the state.

So, River Valley football fans, go to our Facebook page at Resident News Network and post your opinions to our post on who you think should be on or off the list!

And by the way, football season starts August 25th! Stay with RNN Sports all season as we bring you the best coverage of River Valley high school football!

If you have not yet subscribed to the RNN Logan / Franklin County weekly newspaper, now is a great time before football and volleyball seasons begin in August! To subscribe, go to residentnewsnetwork.com/subscribe

Hogs Volleyball Preseason Selection at #5 in SEC

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Resident News Network

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4:38 pm

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Hogs Volleyball Preseason Selection at #5 in SEC

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas volleyball has been picked to finish right where it left off as the Razorbacks have been tabbed fifth in the preseason SEC poll.

The Hogs received 101 votes in the poll, which are cast by the conference’s coaches. Arkansas comes in behind Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia to round out the top five. It is the fifth time in head coach Jason Watson’s eight seasons that the Razorbacks have been picked to finish in the top five of the conference.

Arkansas closed out 2022 tied for fourth in the SEC with an 11-7 record. The Hogs went 21-9 for the season and ended the year in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, their first appearance since 2013 and first victory since 2005. Arkansas posted wins over two top 10 teams for the first time in a single season over No. 8 Washington and No. 7 Georgia Tech, had the most wins in Jason Watson’s tenure and most since 2012.

SEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll (Points)

1. Kentucky (142)

2. Florida (129)

3. Tennessee (113)

4. Georgia (106)

5. Arkansas (101)

6. LSU (96)

7. Auburn (89)

8. Texas A&M (63)

9. Ole Miss (42)

Mississippi State (42)

11. South Carolina (39)

12. Missouri (30)

13. Alabama (22)

In addition to the ranking, Arkansas had two athletes named preseason All-SEC in outside hitters Jill Gillen and Taylor Head. It’s the second preseason All-SEC nod for Gillen in her career and second straight. She finished last season with 3.61 kills per set, tied for first on the team, and has led Arkansas in that statistic in each of her seasons so far. She also had a team-best 0.33 aces per set. Gillen moved up in the record books during her senior season, and now sits in fourth place in program career kills with 1,548, which is a jump of nine spots from the 2021 season. She also has 133 career aces, which tied for fourth in Arkansas history.

Head tied Gillen for team-best kills per set at 3.61 in 2022, led the Razorbacks in total kills with 390, and had the second-best efficiency percentage among Arkansas’ hitters at .277. She also showed her defensive chops throughout the course of the season with 297 digs and 2.75 per set, second-best on the team. Head played a huge role in the Hogs’ tournament run and led the team 7 kills, 3.86 kills per set, three service aces, and 19 digs over the two matches. She became the 18th member of the Arkansas 1,000-kill club on Nov. 25, 2022, and has 1,043 total for her career currently, which puts her at 18th in program history.

Gillen and Head were named All-SEC and AVCA South All-Region, both repeat honors for the duo. Gillen has been named All-SEC in each of her seasons, and Head also earned AVCA All-America Honorable Mention status, Arkansas’ first All-America nod since 2017.

The pair and the Hogs kick off the 2023 season at home against Michigan State on August 25, and single match and season tickets are now available online or in person through the Razorback Ticket Center.

More Information

Visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on all things Arkansas Volleyball. You can also find the Razorbacks on social media by liking us on Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Volleyball) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@RazorbackVB).

— ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Emily Polglaze.

1949: The NFL Plays at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock in the First of a Series of Preseason Games

Sports

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7:45 pm

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1949: The NFL Plays at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock in the First of a Series of Preseason Games

LITTLE ROCK- War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock has seen its share of big events. From high school and college football to concerts, and numerous other events, the historic landmark has been the sight of many great memories for Arkansans.

But few may be aware that the National Football League (NFL) and the American Football League (AFL) once played games at the central Arkansas stadium. In fact, a former Razorbacks Hall of Famer also took part in the game when the Philadelphia Eagles played the Los Angeles Rams at War Memorial Stadium in 1949.

The venerable stadium was barely a year old when the exhibition game was played. Clyde Scott, former All-American football player for the Razorbacks, played in the game for the Philadelphia Eagles. The game was played on September 10, 1949, and resulted in a 10-10 tie. The Eagles’ training camp was held in Hot Springs that year and they then played the exhibition game before returning to Philadelphia for the start of the regular season. In the previous season, Philadelphia defeated the Chicago Cardinals to win the NFL Championship. So, when the Eagles walked on to the turf at War Memorial that fall, they did so as defending NFL Champions.

Scott had also been named as an All-American at Arkansas in 1948.

But the 1949 game would not be the last at the stadium. In 1952, the Eagles played the Detroit Lions who had also trained in Hot Springs that year. The Lions defeated Philadelphia 7-3. Arkansas alumnus Pat Summerall had just been drafted by the Lions, so Arkansas fans were cheering for both Summerall and Scott in the 1952 exhibition game.

War Memorial Stadium was also the sight of a 1964 American Football League (AFL) preseason game between the Houston Oilers and the San Diego Chargers. The game featured former Arkansas All-American receiver Lance Alworth. Alworth caught three passes in the final, game-winning drive of a high scoring affair with the Oilers. The game was won with just a little more than a minute to go, and the Arkansas crowd of 22,000 was treated to a thriller of a game.

Combine all of this with the storied college football history of the stadium, the legacy of War Memorial Stadium is one that deserves to be kept alive for future generations of football fans.

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FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

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