The City of Fayetteville isn’t new to Top 10 lists. With its hiking trails and lakes, low crime rate and average home prices, Fayetteville is a mainstay on “best places to live” lists across the country. Forbes Magazine placed Fayetteville at number seven in their list of “Top College Sports Towns.”
The magazine looked at the quality of the athletic departments as rated by members of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Forbes also factored in quality of life.
Fayetteville was recognized for its easy access to lakes and hiking trails, as well as its farmers’ market, in addition to a solid public school system and high marks in the other areas. The sports program at the University of Arkansas, by itself, was ranked 25 on the list of total sports programs.
Other notable cities in the Top 10 include:
8. Lexington, Ky. (University of Kentucky) The only other SEC school on the list
6. Austin, TX (University of Texas) Former SWC rival
5. College Station, TX (Texas A&M University) Former SWC rival
3. Norman, OK (University of Oklahoma) Neighbor to the West
1. Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michgan) QB Ryan Mallett’s former stomping grounds