John Brady ‘game’ for Arkansas State vs. Arkansas
August 27th, 2009
I spoke to Arkansas State coach John Brady and the school’s athletics director at length Thursday during an ASU rally in Lowell. We discussed a few things, but we mainly talked about their desire to help break a long-standing history and play Arkansas in all sports. You can read the entire story (subscription required), by clicking here.
A preview of the story is below:
LOWELL — John Brady stepped into enemy territory Thursday night, but didn’t step down from his stance on the prospect of his Arkansas State Red Wolves playing the Arkansas Razorbacks someday.
“I’m game. You don’t have to convince me,” Brady said. “You’re talking to the wrong cat here. I’m ready to go — anywhere.”
Brady, who coached LSU for 10 years, will enter his second season as the coach of Arkansas State’s basketball team this fall. Brady, Arkansas State athletics director Dean Lee and several school officials were in Lowell on Thursday night to speak to about 50 ASU alumni at a fan gathering.
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Would you like to see the Hogs play the Red Wolves?
I'm sure that Brady would love a shot at the UA. However, the Razorbacks have nothing to gain by playing ASU. Nothing. They have everything to lose.
Say what you want about Frank Broyles, but outside the State of Arkansas, the guy is a living legend. I live in Texas, and even in the Austin area, folks believe that Frank and DKR walk on water. The business about there being only one university in Arkansas with a state wide and undivided following holds true. It is also very unique, as Frank has often times said. Why attempt to divide the fan base [and recruiting] in an small geographic area already limited in such a regard?
The sports media would like to see this game because it makes for a good story. However, on every other front, it makes absolutely no sense.
I totallt agree with dwp07. THE U of A has absolutely nothing to gain with playing Arkansas State in any event, at any time.
I am from DFW area and 2 football names most highly spoken of over the years is DKR and Broyles.
Frank knew what he was doing when he refused to play Arkansas state.
I lived in Oklahoma for six years. There was a great jealousy and hatred of OU because they beat up OSU in football back then. OU lost fans, an occasional recruit and money to OSU. Barry Switzer complained that OSU should never have been allowed into the Big 8. OU lost by playing them every year, even though OU almost always had won. At that time, OU hadn't lost at home OSU since WWII or something like that. When OU later lost to OSU, it probably hurt them even more. Having grown up in Arkansas, I couldn't believe the hatred toward OU. Why should the Razorbacks create that?
Totally agree, Rick. I actually played ball for OSU and many years ago we went into Norman and pulled off a major upset [at the time]. After the game. we were cursed and spat on and dodged all sorts of "projectile missles" in trying to get off the field.
In addition to limiting an already limited recruiting base and dividing loyalties, why in the world would Arkansans want such a thing?
I'm a Razorback fan to the core, but also pull for ASU to do well. If the teams were to play one another, I would feel quite differently.
Frank Broyles had it right. The situation with the Razorbacks and the undivided, state wide following they enjoy is very unique. There would be absolutely nothing to be gained in playing ASU. Nada.
What makes Arkansas unique is the fact that it is the only SEC school in this state with a united fan base. Start playing ASU and I agree with dwp007,we'll be in a situation that will only worsen considering the fact that other SEC schools are in states that produce more 5 star recruites than ARK does on a regular basis. We would be fighting not only ASU but other SEC schools who already make yearly inroads into the state to compete for an already thin crop of recruites. You have to ask yourself as a hog fan not only how do we gain from this but what sense does it make if you are already at a slight disadvantage (recruiting wise) to start with in comparison to other SEC schools in states with larger populations (Alabama, LSU,Tenn., ETC).
Football is football and a in-state rivalry will always be a good thing. Arkansas has always been the white color school and Arkansas State has been the blue-collar one. I played football for Arkansas State during my tenure and I am proud to have played at ASU. We always wanted to play UA but Broyles would never consider it simply because of the image. Back in my days of the early 90's UA would have won and maybe it wasn't the best thing for UA but now it is a different story. UA has since struggled where ASU has since grown so the level playing field is there now but UA still declines the invite and its sad for the fans of Arkansas. Its about the game not the image. UA is only a legend in their own minds. I believe its time to put the egos aside and lets play some ball and see who's best. The in-state rivalry has always been there so lets allow it to be addressed! GO STATE!
Well it should happen so what it split oklahoma big whoop better than one school stealing all the glory when both achools are really good...ASU want attentiom from the state and the only way theyll get it is bye winning big bowl game or playing arkansas...Both could happen within 5 years watch and see