Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

Arkansas announced today it will recognize the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at this year’s Sept. 10 game in Little Rock. The Razorbacks host New Mexico that day, and as Jeff Long announced today via press release, the occasion is being marked in a number of ways.

Sept. 11, 2001, is undoubtedly a day worth remembering. Like other significant events in our nation’s history, most folks can recall very specific details of where they were when they first heard the news that attacks had been carried out in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Terrorists took the lives of 2,753 2,977 Americans that day. Thousands more had their lives completely altered. Millions of us were impacted indirectly by the tragedy and let’s never forget the thousands of military personnel who have died overseas in wars that were offshoots of 9/11.

Recognizing the occasion is perfectly understandable. Arkansas is joining universities, civic groups, churches and others across the country in reflecting on the events of that awful day.

So what does the UA Athletic Department have in store? Arkansas and Long proudly announced on Wednesday via press release (how else?) that part of the tribute will include the sale of specially made Razorback shirts.

Here’s the T-shirt portion of the release word-for-word:

“Fans can purchase officially licensed red or white t-shirts featuring the Red, White and Blue Razorback logo from Hog Heaven, online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com, at Game Day Superstore in North Little Rock or at War Memorial Stadium on game day.”

Does that strike anybody else wrong? Asking fans to pay the university for an officially licensed, Razorback shirt as part of a tribute to 9/11 or America?

After I reached out to the Athletic Department, the UA saw fit to offer some clarification a couple of hours after the release came out. Arkansas, a spokesman said, is not selling 9/11-specific shirts. Those are being handed out to students, but a patriotic-themed Razorback shirt will be sold and Arkansas will distribute “any proceeds from the T-shirt sales throughout the season to Wounded Warriors.”

Traditionally, licensing money has gone to fund non-revenue sports. Instead of pocketing the money, Arkansas has pointed out – after being asked — that this isn’t an additional revenue stream for the department. This is, instead, a fundraiser for Wounded Warriors.

Wounded Warriors is a group that Arkansas has worked with in the past. It’s an organization that “provides programs and services to severely injured service members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life.” A wonderful cause for Arkansas’ student athletes and the Athletic Department to be involved in helping.

Back to the tribute: Those shirts are being sold as part of what the school is calling a “Red White and Blue Out.” Students are getting blue shirts, fans are asked to wear red or white, depending on their seating assignments.