By: Noah Nolder

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As America honors the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the University of Arkansas continues a tradition dedicated to remembering all of those who sacrificed their lives and gave their service that day.

Earlier this morning, the university’s ROTC program hosted its 14th annual 9/11 stair climb at Razorback Stadium. The event brought many members of the Fayetteville community, including students, first responders, sports teams, Greek life organizations, together to climb the bleachers 110 times in remembrance of those who were inside the World Trade Center during the terrorist attacks. 

One group who participated this year was Fayetteville High School’s wrestling team. Head coach Casper Petty says his team has been in attendance every year since 2019. 

“It’s just a time to reflect with the kids,” Petty says. “It’s hard getting up at 4 a.m., getting out here, walking the stairs.”

Petty adds that it is important to understand and learn why this day is honored each year, teaching his kids about the sacrifices that were made by so many people. 

In years past, the team has even been able to do some community service by handing out water to other participants. Petty says the hard work and dedication are a big part of the lesson that he wants his team to take away from coming out to the event.

“Life’s hard, wrestling’s hard, so that’s just what we do.” Petty adds.

Fayetteville’s wrestling team was just a small part of a very impressive turnout to this year’s event, and University of Arkansas ROTC Cadet Battalion Officer Elijah Dobing says this is the biggest turnout that he has seen. 

“Last year there was not near as many people,” said Dobing

He says it is really meaningful to see such a large group of the community coming together to remember all those affected by the attacks on September 11th. 

“It is such a good feeling to see people out here remembering those who came before us, those who were a victim of this attack,” Dobing said. 

Participants were forming large crowds around the hog statue outside of the stadium, lined up from the north end to the south end of the stadium, and many drivers were even having trouble finding a place to park, something that the ROTC cadets have never seen before.

The ROTC program adds that they estimated around 1,400 participants this year, compared to last year’s 1,100.

Today, the Old Main bells rang out 25 times in honor of an alumnus who was a flight attendant on 9/11.