University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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RAISING SPIRIT OtSNT Q lTj NT. MITER l Razorback basketball cheerleaders rally the crowd during The Night the Lights Went out in Barnhill ceremony. At the end of the festivities, the lights were actually turned off. P. Walrod photo GOING CRAZY IN THE BARN Barnhill fans were known for their crazy antics and vocal support for the Razorbacks. Coaches and sportswriters throughout the nation often listed Barnhill Arena as one of the nation’s toughest courts on visiting teams. In typical Barnhill- fashion these crazy fans ham it up for a reporter from Channel 40 29 during the final game festivities. P. Walrod photo fc head c °ach Nolan Barnhill Arena Farewell 23

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SPEAKING OUT Sharing his memories of Barnhill Arena, athletic director Frank Broyles led the festivities, bringing basketball players and coaches to midcourt to speak of their memories of Barnhill. Guests included former coaches Glen Rose, Lanny VanEman and Eddie Sutton; former players Marvin Delph, Ron Brewer, Martin Terry, Aimer Lee and Todd Day; former band director Jim Robken and Nancy Barnhill Trumbo, daughter of former athletic director John Barnhill. P. Walrod photo A NEW BEGINNING Construction of the new arena reminded students that a new tradition was about to be established when the doors of Bud Walton Arena open for the first home game of the 1993-94 season. The new arena will be the fifth largest facility of its kind in the nation. M. Wichser photo Razorback fans, including those gathered in front of the television at the White House, said goodbye to historic Barnhill Arena with a post-game ceremony honoring current and past players and coaches. AT ONE TIME “The Barn” was not just a colloquial term — the arena was really a barn. In 1955 Barnhill Arena, named in honor of head football coach and athletic director John Barnhill, was not only the basketball arena, but an indoor football practice facility, with a dirt track and sawdust floors where the football team practiced during the off-season. The old Barnhill seated 5,000, recalled former head basketball coach Eddie Sutton. “You could shoot a gun into the stands and not hit anybody,” Sutton said. However, Sutton soon converted Arkansas basketball from a step-child pro¬ gram to a national contender. In 1974, people started to fill the seats of Barnhill, and the Razorbacks have played before sell-out crowds for 20 consecutive seasons. The arena was renovated in 1979 increasing capacity to its current 9,000. “Barnhill is a beautiful arena, but we’ve outgrown it,” head coach Nolan Richardson said. “Our family has gotten too big and when that happens, it’s time to get a new house. I know that our Southeastern Conference opponents are glad to leave Barnhill, but once they get into the Walton Arena, they may wish they were back in the Barn.” The Razorbacks’ new home, Bud Walton Arena, will seat approximately 19,000 making it the fifth largest on-campus arena in the country. On March 3, emotional fans, former coaches and players gathered for the last game and a special tribute to the history-filled arena. After the game, the lights were symbolically turned out for the last time. Even President Clinton watched the ceremony from the White House. While cheers roared from the stands and students welcomed the new arena, tears were shed as they remembered the good times. “I thought the last game was going to be the best because it’s my fifth and last season here,” senior Bryan Harp said. “I enjoyed every minute of it.” Senior Roy Hill sat on the front row of every home game. “There is not enough ink to write all the fond memories I have had in Barnhill,” he said. Senior band member Cary Martindale said the final game was the best game she attended. “It is my last game as well as Barnhill’s,” Martindale said. “It’s kind of like Barnhill leaves with me, so to speak. The thing about Barnhill, it’s big enough, but yet small enough to still be wild. Barnhill was very unique, and I have never been in a stadium that got as loud as it did. It’s special.” B Y KIM TRACEY HEATH WILLIS 22 Student Life

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CHARLIE’S ANGELS From country greats and Grammy nominees to heavy metal rock and rollers, the freshest and hottest artists where Rockin’ FROM GRAMMY nomi¬ nees to bands that were a blast from the past, Fayetteville proved to be a concert hot spot. Country favorites such as Reba McEntire and Pam Tillis lit up the stages in Barnhill and the Walton Arts Center while rock and rollers like the Arc Angels brought the house down at Doc Murdock’s. Students were also reminded of the past listening to bands such as Starship, Information Society and The Dead Milkmen. The concert season kicked off Oct. 15 when University Programs sponsored Reba McEntire and opening act, Reckless Heart. “Reba was the best concert I’ve ever seen,” freshman Matt Helmer said. She puts on a great show. Her facial expres¬ sions, her stage set and her cos¬ tumes are awesome. She does more than j ust get out there and sing; she puts on a show. “She is one of the best per¬ formers. She was so powerful and moving that the songs just really pull you out of your seat. I felt like I was right on the stage,” he said. Alternative music fans re¬ turned to the days when “Punk Rock Girl” and “Bitchen Camaro” were popular when the Dead Milkmen played on election night at River City. A packed audience celebrated Bill Clinton’s victory slam dancing to old favorites. “Seeing the Dead Milkmen brought me all the way back to my junior high days,” se¬ nior Jennifer Robbins said. “I used to have all the Dead Milk¬ men tapes, and it was fun to hear them play live. I never did back then. Plus, it was better then sitting home watching election returns all night. The band played a trib¬ ute to Hillary Clinton. It was funny.” Students got a treat on Nov. 14 when the Arc Angels played at Doc Murdock’s, per¬ forming all their current top 40 hits. A crowd packed into the club to hear Charlie Sexton’s new band, and se- continued on page 26 BY KIM TRACEY Charlie Sexton, Arc Angels’ lead vocalist and guitarist, performed at Doc Murdock’s before an excited audience. Sexton, the Texas rocker who had a Top 20 solo album in the mid-’80s at the age of 17, staged a remarkable comeback with his new band. R. Coonfleld photo OPENING BAND Opening for Reba McEntire on Oct.15, Restless Heart warmed the audience up for a great concert. Barnhill was jammed packed with students eager to see the hottest country bands. With country music soaring in popularity with the college population, students were excited to welcome bands like Restless Heart to the Hill. K. Byers photo 24 Student Life