Arkansas Razorbacks

The first nickname to grace the university's athletic clubs was one that helped reflect the colors that were selected in 1884 by the student body. When they picked the combination of cardinal and white they picked the Cardinal bird as their mascot.

The name continued to soar high for Arkansas fans until the conclusion of the 1909 football season. Coach Hugo Bezdek's squad had just returned to Fayetteville following a win over LSU that wrapped up a smashing 7-0 undefeated season.

The fired up coach addressed the crowd that had assembled at the train station and exclaimed the fateful words, "like a wild band of Razorback Hogs," to describe his team’s level of play. The students went ‘hog wild’ over his comments so much that they voted to change the school's nickname to Razorbacks in time for the 1910 season.

“WOO PIG SOOIE!”
This famous hog call that also serves as an Arkansas yell speaks volumes about the passion that exists in college football. Think of where you are likely to seen grown men and women proudly screaming Wooo, Pig! Sooie! The list of locations is a short one that might include the sloppiest of hog pens.

Yet, at Arkansas football games the yell is heard more than, "Peanuts. Get your peanuts." The expression that developed in the 1920s is designed to motivate great play from Razorback players. No matter what age, gender or profession, the yell is performed at the highest decibel level possible. There's simply no room for apathy when the Hogs need vocal support.

While the cheer can create an eardrum stressing moment for fans sitting in the stands, imagine the effect on visiting teams. Former University of Tulsa quarterback Richie Stephenson knows personally the challenge of trying to direct a football team when Razorback fans are in a frenzy.

"When you're on the field surrounded by more than 60,000 Arkansas fans and hear a deafening Hog Call, it’s awesome," Stephenson said. “They create a true home field advantage because they drown out the visiting team's ability to audible and change their plays. The players can't hear the quarterback."

A botched hog call could easily offend not only a Hog fan, but the actual animal as well. Therefore, Arkansas athletic officials have released guidelines on how to “Woo Pig Sooie” with the best of them. The Hog Call has so many components that figuring it out might make these instructions look like Pig Latin. Wearing the equally world famous Hog hat that’s a staple at Arkansas games is optional when doing the Hog Call.

A properly executed Hog Call is composed of three “calls,” slowly raising one’s arms from the knees to above the head during the “Woo.” An eight-second “Woo” is recommended. While emitting a “Woo,” the fingers should be wiggled and the “Woo” should build in volume and pitch as the arms rise.

With the “Woo” phase now complete, both arms are brought straight down with fists clinched as if executing a chin-up while yelling, “Pig.”

The heart thumping Hog Call is completed by thrusting the fist clinched right arm into the air, and with great excitement yelling, “Sooie.”
A full Arkansas Hog Call consists of this sequence being repeated two more times and then followed immediately by the “Razor-Backs” yell, that’s coordinated with the pumping motion of the right arm after the third “Sooie” in time with the break between “Razor” and “Backs.”

Therefore, the complete Arkansas Hog Call is:
“Wooooooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
Wooooooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
Wooooooooooooo. Pig. Sooie!
Razorbacks!”

Arkansas fans get ready for the big games by getting their Arkansas Razorbacks Merchandise out and taking it with them to the games. Tailgating with the Razorbacks can be a great way to spend a Saturday Morning.