Arkansas Football: 5 Best Razorback Traditions Every Fan Should Experience

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The Arkansas football program has seen new heights over the years.  Its rich tradition of excellence on the football field has carried to a very exciting atmosphere in Fayetteville.

On the day of the game, the hogs are truly running wild.  Razorback fans deck out in red at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. 

There have been numerous traditions established over the years at Arkansas.  The Razorbacks have been represented by many different hogs, but the official live mascot is Tusk, a 380-pound Russian boar.  Tusk is at all home games and other select events.

Tusk has his own local farm to live in.  Here's a look at the fella.  However, he's not the only thing special about the Arkansas football experience.

Here's a look at some of the best traditions at Arkansas. 

1. 'Calling the Hogs'

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One of the older traditions at Arkansas is the "Calling of the Hogs." Fans have been calling since the 1920s. 

The school's best-known cheer at football games starts with both hands being raised in the air.  You start by waving the fingers as the volume gets louder and the crowd says "wooooo."  Next, the arms go down during the word "pig."  Finally, the arms go back into the air through a fist motion during the word "sooie."  At the third time, the word "Razorbacks" follows.  

Yes, it's a little hard to explain.  But, here's a video of it to make it a little easier. 

"Hog calls'"have been reported at airports, malls, restaurants and hotels all around the nation.  Don't be intimidated if a fellow Razorback is trying to get your attention.

This is definitely an exciting tradition at Arkansas and for the fans.  A packed house doing this chant can be intimidating for an opposing team. 

2. Golden Boot

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The rivalry between the University of Arkansas and Louisiana State University has been around since 1901.  Since both teams became conference enemies in 1992, the battles have escalated a bit.

Much like many rivalries, the winner of this game is awarded a trophy, in this case it's The Golden Boot. The history between these two teams has encountered upsets and pure hatred.

The Golden Boot came about in 1996.  The 24-karat, four foot gold trophy resembles both states.  It weighs in at nearly 200 pounds and is a net worth of $10,000. 

Both schools look forward to this heated battle every year.  For the players and coaches at both universities, it's a special game to be apart of. 

3. Running Through the 'A'

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The "Running through the A" is a special part of Arkansas tradition, for both the marching band and the players. 

The gigantic marching band conclude a pregame performance with a ginormous "A," in representation of Arkansas. 

For the fans, players and everything Arkansas, this is something very dear to the Razorback community.  The team marches through the "A" and gets ready for battle.

Every player remembers what it's like to have that type of entrance.  Running through the "A" has become more special for the guys as time went on. 

The Hogs won the national title in 1964.  Lloyd Phillips, a member of that era, said that the butterflies were flowing while running through the "A" and that it didn't feel like the players' feet were hitting the ground.  It's a feeling of goosebumps for the Razorbacks.  It must be a surreal feeling. 

4. Fight Song

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Freshman players are automatically introduced to the fight song.  In fact, the freshman learn the song during two-a-day practices right away. 

Developed in the late 1920s, Arkansas has used the fight song as a large part of tradition.  For many years, the team would huddle together and sing the tune after victories.

It became a bigger deal with the fans as time went on.  After home victories, the student section will sing the fight song along with the players. 

Through the fight song, Arkansas joins as a community to show their Razorbacks some love.  In recent years, success has come to the hogs.  A large part is due to the fans. 

5. Alma Mater

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As with many schools, the alma mater plays a large part at Arkansas.  The hymn was written in the early 1900s, most speculate in 1909 by Arkansas alum Brodie Payne, and is played before football and basketball games.

Payne submitted the alma mater when the university was trying to find a proper song for representation.  In the competition, Payne came in first place, and his song became the anthem for the school.  The director of the Glee Club, Henry D. Tovey, set the music. 

It is a student custom to point to Old Main, the two-towered brick administration building, at the end of the alma matter.

The University of Arkansas has established one of the nation's premier alma maters.  At over 100 years old, it is one of the oldest traditions on campus.