Long talks about future of LR games

When Jeff Long took over as Arkansas' athletic director, he was apparently ready to stop scheduling football games in Little Rock.

Long said as much Monday while speaking at the Little Rock Touchdown Club. The Razorbacks agreed a month ago to extend their deal with War Memorial Stadium, so they'll play games in the state capital at least through 2016. But Long said when he arrived at Arkansas, he wondered if that made sense.

"I'll be very frank and admit to you, as I walked in the door when I first took over, I had the belief that certainly we should take every football game to Fayetteville," said Long, who became athletic director when Frank Broyles retired at the end of last year.

"But I'll be honest: I've been now in the state for almost a year. I understand the reason that we play football games in central Arkansas and Little Rock. I've come to know the passion that's in here, in this part of the state. I've also come to know that this is a very small state, and we certainly need all fans, all supporters from all corners of the state supporting us."

Long spoke for about a half-hour about his vision for Arkansas athletics. He wants to expand the Broyles Center at the north end of the Razorbacks' football stadium in Fayetteville.

Long said his No. 1 priority is improving graduation rates, and he said his official title shows the school understands the importance of intercollegiate sports. Long is considered a vice chancellor in addition to athletic director.

"For me to have a place at the chancellor's executive committee, I think it sends a strong message about the University of Arkansas," Long said.

Of course, there was plenty of discussion about the football team, coming off a 49-14 loss to Alabama in its Southeastern Conference opener.

"I hope you're not jumping off any buildings," Long said.

Long expressed confidence that Bobby Petrino is the right coach for the Razorbacks, and that the program will consistently contend for SEC championships.

"We may not do that this year. We may not do that next year. But it's coming," Long said. "It's coming sooner rather than later."

What's not coming right now is any abandonment of Little Rock as a site for football games. The Razorbacks play there twice this year. War Memorial Stadium's commission and the university agreed to drop an obligation that the Razorbacks play three games in Little Rock in two seasons over the coming six years.

Other terms of the original contract remain in force, including a provision that the Razorbacks play at least one SEC game each year in Little Rock.

During a question-and-answer session, Long was asked about the football team's series with Texas. The Razorbacks play at Texas this weekend, but the return game has been put off for a while.

"I think 2014 they will make the trip back to Fayetteville to complete that series. We'll be better prepared to handle them," Long said, drawing a laugh. "Wait till you see what we do to them this weekend. Just think how good we're going to be in 2014."

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