I see both sides of the issue here...stAte is an FBS program that has made
big strides in recent years in both attendance and the quality of their football
program. UCA has moved to the FCS level and had success with their football
program as well. They have improved facilities and made the FCS playoffs two
years in a row but let's be honest here. Attendance at the games IMO has been,
for lack of a better word...not good. I think the UCA program, for whatever reason
is still looked at as inferior to AR. and stAte. The BEARS get minimal coverage
from the state media, where as stAte gets a article every day in the ADG.
All the media attention from now until summer comes will be about the new
coach at the U of AF and what he has for breakfast. The state media have already
started drinking the coolaid and think this guy is the greatest thing since running
water and he hasn't won a game yet.
Perception is everything...We as loyal Bear fans know what the UCA program has
to offer but without someone of prominence blowing the horn and waving the
UCA flag and making the average fan sit up and take notice, I am afraid we will
be spinning our wheels when it comes to growing our fan base and increasing
donations.
The potential is most certainly there...with a large alumni base in Little Rock.
Getting those alumni back in the fold is a different animal. They are bombarded
every day with nonstop coverage of the Hogs, it's all they ever hear about. I
personally don't have a clue as to how you change the culture of this state. I
do my best to wave the purple and gray banner on a daily basis, but when your
own alumni are card carrying pig fans it's a crying shame.
UCA and stAte and UAPB are all conference champions this year. UAF finished
4-8, but got a new coach and that overshadows everything else.