We're talking Hog spirit, state pride

Word of the day: Morale

1. Moral principles, teachings or conduct.

2. A. The mental and emotional condition (as of enthusiasm, confidence, or loyalty) of an individual or group with regard to the function or tasks at hand.

B. A sense of common purpose with respect to a group.

3. The level of individual psychological well-being based on such factors as a sense of purpose and confidence in the future.

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Morale. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved July 28, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morale

It’s simply human nature to allow the competitiveness of a sport to enter into your being and make you more invested than you possibly thought you could be, whether you’re playing or observing. This is seen as the Olympics are currently captivating the masses, but in just 38 short days it will be seen again in Arkansas when people will glue to the first Razorback football game of the 2021 season.

On Wednesday, Executive Director of the Razorback Foundation Scott Varady discussed this transformative power of sports to Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club.

"I think Coach Sam Pittman says it best when he says, 'Arkansas's a proud damn state,'" Varady told The Post after the meeting.

The Razorbacks represent all Arkansans within the state's 75 counties, but also throughout the whole country and world, he said.

"People take great pride in them, and there's a great unifying force the Razorbacks bring toward our whole state, and it links us together in a way nothing else can," Varady said. "When you hear 70 plus thousand people Calling the Hogs, or when you see a small group of people Calling the Hogs intensely, there's nothing like it, and it just evokes such great excitement and feelings (and) lots of great memories."

He went on to say there are so many Arkansas families who have stories throughout the years of the experiences and bonds they developed through attending Razorback football games, as well as other Razorback sporting events.

"Our state has the Razorbacks, and that's a unifying fact for us," Varady said. "Forget political differences, forget rural, urban divides; we're all on the same page when it comes to the Razorbacks and that's what I love about it."

The first Razorback Football game of the 2021 season will be home in Fayetteville at 1 p.m. Sept. 4 against Rice Owls football. In the meantime, we want to know: What are some special memories or traditions you've built around the Hogs?

Woo Pig Sooie