By Kellie Audrain
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—Students interested in the history of their future alma mater can find it in books and a new exhibit in the University of Arkansas library.
Mullins library is home to “Calling All Hogs: A Razorback Mascot History” until the end of the fall semester.
The University of Arkansas’ original mascot was the cardinal, chosen because of the vote for cardinal red and white as the university’s colors. As the years went by, knowledge of wild Arkansas razorback hogs grew. In 1909, then-football coach Hugo Bezdek popularized the term “Arkansas Razorbacks” after reportedly saying the team played “like a wild band of razorback hogs.”
One of the highlights of the exhibit is the 1916 yearbook, the first to be called “The Razorback” and debuted the first drawing of a hog. The iconic running Razorback first appeared in 1924.
The exhibit contains memorabilia from the past century including yearbooks, postcards, and photographs.
Annie Molesso works the check-out desk at Mullins and says that many people stop to appreciate the exhibit.
“Lots of people stop when walking by, especially alumni and people visiting from out of town,” Molesso said.
Those interested can find the exhibit on the second floor of Mullins Library near the rear entrance.