Big Red (University of Arkansas)

Big Red is the costumed mascot of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The mascot is modeled after the wild razorback hog.

History

In the early twentieth century, wild razorback hogs were a common sight in rural Arkansas. After the team's fifth straight victory, over LSU in Memphis, to open the 1909 football season, coach Hugo Bezdek told a group of fans at the train station upon their return that the team played "like a wild band of razorback hogs." ^[1] The name stuck, and "Razorbacks" replaced "Cardinals" (still the school color) as the school's nickname. Since the 1960s, live mascots have been kept, the current one being Tusk, a Russian boar which resembles the old razorback hogs; previously, the live mascots were also called "Big Red".

Big Red and Sue E. during a Razorback football game.

There are currently four costumed mascots serving the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. "Big Red" is the original mascot, also nicknamed "the Fighting Razorback." A female mascot, "Sue E.," serves at all women's events, and is known for her dancing skills and costume changes. There is a child-sized mascot named "Pork Chop," popular with younger fans. And, since 1999, "Boss Hog" (named for the character from "The Dukes of Hazard") has served as a 9-foot-tall (2.7 m) inflatable mascot.

References

University of Arkansas Schools and Colleges Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences School of Architecture Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences Walton College of Business College of Education & Health Professions College of Engineering Graduate School Honors College Lemke Department of Journalism Law School Mann School of Nursing Space Center Social Work Athletics Southeastern Conference Arkansas Razorbacks Football Basketball Baseball Marching Band Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium War Memorial Stadium Bud Walton Arena Baum Stadium Randal Tyson Track Center John McDonnell Field Barnhill Arena Tusk Big Red Battle for the Golden Boot Southwest Classic Rivalry with Ole Miss Game of the Century First 7-OT football game Second 7-OT football game People Alumni List of University Presidents Notable Faculty Buildings Agriculture Building The Arkansas Union Campus Campus Historic District Carnall Hall Chemistry Building Chi Omega Greek Theatre Engineering Building HPER Complex Home Economics Building Old Main Ozark Hall Memorial Hall Razorback Road Vol Walker Hall Other Alma Mater Calling the Hogs Chi Omega Greek Life History KXUA KUAF Paragould Meteorite Press Razorback Transit SEFOR Senior Walk The Arkansas Traveler University of Arkansas Fight Song