Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Bobby Petrino promised a nationally competitive football program when he was hired in 2007.

Petrino made good on that promise in 2010, guiding the Razorbacks to 10 wins and a Sugar Bowl appearance. On top of that, Petrino’s vision for a $35 million football operations center came closer to reality and he agreed to a new contract that keeps him at Arkansas until 2017.

Because of the success Petrino enjoyed in his third season, he’s my pick for Razorback Coach of the Year for 2010-11.

Where does football rank? Keep reading to find out as I recap and rank the Razorback sports year. Each sport’s rankings include record, highlight(s) and team MVP.

Also, my picks for men’s and women’s Athlete of the Year for all sports:

Male Athlete of the Year
Perhaps other Razorbacks had more impressive raw numbers, but no other athlete on campus meant more to the university in 2010-11 than tight end D.J. Williams. He was named the best in the country at his position, securing the Mackey Award and earned recognition as the most inspiring figure in college football – and lots of ESPN time —for his family story of escaping an abusive father.

Female Athlete of the Year
Traditionally, Arkansas has featured nationally competitive pole valuters, but junior Tina Sutej took that reputation to new heights this year, setting NCAA indoor and outdoor records. She was named the National Women's Field Athlete of the Year, clearing 15-1.5 to become just the fourth women’s vaulter to clear 15 feet.

And now the team rankings:

15. Men’s Tennis
2009-10 Rank: No. 15
Record: 7-17 overall, 0-11 SEC
Highlight: Put together a three-match win streak in first month of season.
MVP: Chris Nott earned All-SEC second-team recognition for the second consecutive year.

No. 14 Soccer
2009-10 Rank: No. 12
Record: 5-11-3 overall, 2-7-2 SEC
Highlights: Earned Lee Spencer Cup Award as athletic department’s top program in the “classroom, academic competition, personal development and community service.”
MVP: Midfielder Kelsey Allison named second-team All-SEC after scoring seven goals.

No. 13 Softball
2009-10 Rank: No. 10
Record: 13-39 overall, 3-23 SEC
Highlights: Defeated No. 1 UCLA, the defending national champion, in Week 2.
MVP: Senior outfielder Becca Carden batted .335 with six home runs and 24 runs batted in.

No. 12 Men’s Basketball
2009-10 Rank: No. 13
Record: 18-13 overall, 7-9 SEC
Highlight: Beat eventual Final Four team Kentucky, 77-76 (OT) at home.
MVP: Junior guard Rotnei Clarke  averaged 15.2 points per game and shot 43 percent from behind the 3-point line.