Athletic Director Jeff Long's idea of honoring former Arkansas Razorbacks basketball players and coaches with a banner in the rafters at Walton Arena was long overdue.
This is a great way to recognize and honor those who have helped make the Razorbacks a successful program.
Of course, last night the most successful basketball coach in Arkansas history, Nolan Richardson, was honored for leading the Razorbacks to a 390-170 record that included 13 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, three Final Four appearances and the 1994 national championship.
Some day the court may be named after him, but for many the memory is still strong from Richardson's lawsuit against the UA after he was terminated. The courts, including appellate court, sided with the UA, saying it acted with cause.
Each year that goes by, the memory seems to fade a little.
Until then the debates will mostly be about what other players deserve to be honored, and there is no shortage of former players who deserve a banner.
Some may argue, but it seemed fitting that Sidney Moncrief was the first to have a banner hung. Heck, his jersey was retired and no one knew where it was.
Corliss Williamson was a great second choice, and now with Richardson being honored, look for Long to take his time before deciding who will be honored next season.
Guys like Joe Kleine, Lee Mayberry, Todd Day, Ronnie Brewer, Marvin Delph, Darrell Walker and former coach Eddie Sutton seem like naturals to be considered in coming years. And that's just to name a few.
It was a great idea and overdue since the school's athletic policy has been not to retire jerseys, with the exception of Moncrief, Clyde Scott and Brandon Burlsworth. That can be adhered to and former players and coaches can still be honored for their career as a Razorback.
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Not long after Arkansas' 65-61 victory over Mississippi State last Saturday, an email was received that would never be confused with a love note.
The author demanded to know why the officiating had not been mentioned as a reason why the Razorbacks won.
He pointed to the fact that Arkansas shot 10 more free throws than MSU, making 24 of 31 compared with the Bulldogs' 14-of-21 effort.
Well, the officiating didn't seem the best, but the Bulldogs were called for only five more fouls than the Hogs.
The email ended with the fact that referee John Hampton had been blasted for his blown call against Arkansas forward Alandise Harris -- who was called for a foul on a clean block in the final seconds against Florida -- that allowed the Gators to escape with a victory.
After the game Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson mentioned Hampton by name, a major no-no in the SEC.
Still, Hampton had made a call against the Razorbacks last season that cost them a game against the Gators, and he was a student-athlete at Kentucky when Florida assistant John Pelphrey also was a student-athlete there and Gators Coach Billy Donovan was an assistant.
Because he graduated from Kentucky and lives in Lexington, Hampton isn't allowed to call Wildcats games during the regular season -- he can and does call exhibition games for the Wildcats -- and apparently now you can add Arkansas and Florida to the list of schools he cannot work as an official.
Which makes perfect sense why Anderson was reprimanded by the league but not fined for calling out Hampton after the game.
Hampton might be a great guy, but the SEC cannot afford for any official to appear remotely biased.
Since that controversial game Jan. 31, Hampton has officiated 11 games. Only four have been in SEC play, and none have involved Arkansas or Florida.
Sports on 02/25/2015