Wally Hall
Stories by Wally
LIKE IT IS: A picture-perfect way to keep a guy humble
posted: 05/22/2013 5:03 a.m. Comments 3
As would be expected, some of my closest friends got in some really good jabs about the picture that ran in Monday’s paper of me with Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema at a reception before the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame dinner Sunday at Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.
LIKE IT IS: Bielema entertains at Hall of Fame shindig
posted: 05/21/2013 3:51 a.m. Comments 3
It was Bret Bielema’s 37th talk since he became the head football coach at the University of Arkansas.
LIKE IT IS: Orb ambushed by old-timers Stevens, Lukas
posted: 05/19/2013 4:24 a.m. Discuss
Orb’s victory in the Kentucky Derby was so impressive that almost immediately the talk began that the 35-year wait for a Triple Crown winner was about to be over.
LIKE IT IS: ASU coach leaves disappointment in past
posted: 05/16/2013 4:23 a.m. Discuss
It was mildly surprising to read that Brandon Reed was returning to Arkansas State to play basketball, which was where he began his career before transferring to Georgia Tech.
LIKE IT IS: Backup plan hasn’t hurt former Hogs QB
posted: 05/15/2013 4:46 a.m. Discuss
Ryan Mallett received a lot of scrutiny and some questions about his character when he was taken in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2011.
LIKE IT IS: Waah! Waah! Just listen to Oklahoma’s Stoops
posted: 05/14/2013 3:18 a.m. Comments 2
It would be easy to criticize Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops for his comment about SEC football’s superiority just being propaganda.
LIKE IT IS: Today, every day, right day to praise mom
posted: 05/12/2013 4:31 a.m. Comment 1
It was years ago, maybe the first time an enterprising television cameraman thought to try a close-up of a player on the sidelines during a game, the tribute was made.
LIKE IT IS: Conley making a name for himself in NBA
posted: 05/09/2013 4:23 a.m. Discuss
For much of his early life Mike Conley Jr. was known for many things.
LIKE IT IS: Anderson’s rebuilding project coming along
posted: 05/08/2013 5:05 a.m. Comments 5
For some reason, there has been a lot of chatter on talk radio recently about Mike Anderson and the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball program.
LIKE IT IS: Apparently two Brandons too much at QB
posted: 05/07/2013 3:16 a.m. Discuss
Other than one student-athlete, it was not a surprise that four Arkansas Razorbacks have received their releases from the University of Arkansas.
LIKE IT IS: Rain does little to dampen Derby celebration
posted: 05/05/2013 4:06 a.m. Discuss
There may not be a worse four-letter word in thoroughbred racing than rain.
LIKE IT IS: New network fills SEC’s coffers even more
posted: 05/03/2013 4:16 a.m. Comment 1
It is official. As expected, the SEC Network belongs to ESPN (Every Sports Person’s Network).
LIKE IT IS: Derby as much social event as sports event
posted: 05/02/2013 4:09 a.m. Discuss
Crossing the bridge from North Little Rock to Little Rock, after meeting with the energetic new mayor, Joe Smith, it was noted that management at the Marriott had wasted no time replacing all the signage on the old Peabody and that it looked totally natural.
LIKE IT IS: Better grab your seat early to hear Manning
posted: 05/01/2013 3:45 a.m. Discuss
May Day may mean a lot of things in a lot of places, but here, today, it means tickets go on sale for the June 1 dinner featuring Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
LIKE IT IS: Grading NFL Draft an elongated process
posted: 04/30/2013 2:39 a.m. Discuss
Dallas Cowboys fans are apparently disappointed, while the fans of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Green Bay, San Francisco and Jacksonville are rejoicing.
LIKE IT IS: Cast similarities aside, Bielema own man
posted: 04/28/2013 3:46 a.m. Comment 1
It is human nature to compare and contrast.
LIKE IT IS: Kleine’s got it correct: LeBron’s the man
posted: 04/26/2013 3:42 a.m. Discuss
It is not quite painful, but almost, to admit Joe Kleine is right.
LIKE IT IS: College Football Playoff finds a perfect fit
posted: 04/25/2013 4:08 a.m. Comments 2
It is entering the most dangerous time of the year for college sports’ two big moneymakers, football and basketball.
LIKE IT IS: Wilson took a hit coming back to Arkansas
posted: 04/24/2013 2:34 a.m. Comments 5
At some point every Saturday last season, as the Arkansas Razorbacks football season ground down to the final game, the same thought occurred.
LIKE IT IS: Bielema unveils crisp band of Razorbacks
posted: 04/23/2013 3:25 a.m. Comment 1
It is difficult to get any kind of real feel for how good a football team might be in the fall after a spring football game.
LIKE IT IS: 51,000 step up, answer Bielema’s Hog call
posted: 04/21/2013 3:33 a.m. Comment 1
They came, and kept coming.
LIKE IT IS: Bielema settled in, ready to get to business
posted: 04/19/2013 3:47 a.m. Comments 3
Earlier this week, during a phone conversation with Bret Bielema, it was easy to notice the excitement in his voice about Arkansas’ scrimmage Saturday.
LIKE IT IS: Summerall’s humility will not be forgotten
posted: 04/18/2013 4:04 a.m. Comment 1
Pat Summerall was one of a kind among broadcasters on any level, especially the national one.
LIKE IT IS: Plenty of great tracks, but Oaklawn is home
posted: 04/17/2013 3:19 a.m. Discuss
As usual, probably more like a tradition now, yours truly toured Oaklawn Park last Saturday.
LIKE IT IS: Fill stands, impress recruits, Bielema says
posted: 04/16/2013 2:34 a.m. Discuss
A couple of weeks ago, Bret Bielema caused a small brush fire when he said something along the lines that he came to Arkansas to beat Alabama.
LIKE IT IS: Apple Blossom revelry seeps into Derby day
posted: 04/14/2013 3:39 a.m. Discuss
From the infield to the Jockey Club, and most places in between, there was a ripple of excitement Saturday as everyone awaited the 77th running of the Arkansas Derby.
LIKE IT IS: Bielema makes great event even better
posted: 04/12/2013 4:15 a.m. Comment 1
When Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema accepted the offer to host the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame’s annual golf tournament, it was like the Razorbacks’ new football coach truly understood more of the root system of Arkansas sports than expected at this early juncture.
LIKE IT IS: Cella ponied up to elevate Arkansas Derby
posted: 04/11/2013 4:07 a.m. Discuss
Steely gray skies and the threat of thunderstorms couldn’t rain on the parade near the paddock in Oaklawn Park on Wednesday.
LIKE IT IS: Experience, or lack of it, shows in title game
posted: 04/10/2013 3:30 a.m. Comments 2
While the men’s NCAA Tournament championship game had great TV ratings with 27.1 million viewers, more than likely it will not go down as a classic, although the talking heads of CBS would have you believe it was the greatest game ever.
LIKE IT IS: Abdul-Jabbar’s feats almost underappreciated
posted: 04/09/2013 4:09 a.m. Comment 1
One of the most debated subjects on talk radio, usually during really slow times, is who is the all-time best Los Angeles Lakers player.
LIKE IT IS: Obviously, Rutgers wasn’t paying attention
posted: 04/07/2013 4:10 a.m. Comments 2
Note to all colleges and universities: If you don’t want to look stupid, be embarrassed and be ridiculed nationwide, don’t try to cover up anything.
LIKE IT IS: Michigan’s renewal has been painstaking
posted: 04/05/2013 3:52 a.m. Discuss
Bill Frieder, Steve Fisher, Fab Five: Michigan basketball was vibrant.
LIKE IT IS: Louisville leaves Big Blue green with envy
posted: 04/04/2013 4:06 a.m. Comments 6
In Kentucky, this has to be like a Louisiana bred winning the Kentucky Derby.
LIKE IT IS: Syracuse coach isn’t leaving comfort zone
posted: 04/03/2013 3:19 a.m. Discuss
A few years ago, in the media room after the SEC Tournament, a group of reporters gathered to watch the NCAA Tournament selection show.
LIKE IT IS: Shockers are underdogs, but they can bite you
posted: 04/02/2013 4:10 a.m. Discuss
This will not be an easy week for the faithful and dedicated workers at Pleasant Valley Church of Christ.
LIKE IT IS: Cinderellas really don’t exist at this stage
posted: 03/31/2013 3:53 a.m. Discuss
Most knew the bewitching hour was fast approaching for the 2013 NCAA Tournament Cinderellas.
LIKE IT IS: Stuart shunned limelight, relished family
posted: 03/29/2013 5 a.m. Discuss
In high school he was a talented athlete, very well liked and smart.
LIKE IT IS: Stephens calling for an army of volunteers
posted: 03/28/2013 2:58 a.m. Comments 2
It took only a few seconds to realize the competitive nature of Warren Stephens.
LIKE IT IS: Dash of South in Big Ten’s recipe for success
posted: 03/27/2013 4:49 a.m. Comments 5
There was a time when the Big Ten Conference would huff and puff and claim it was better or as good as the SEC in football.
LIKE IT IS: Eagles, Explorers reach uncharted territory
posted: 03/26/2013 4:04 a.m. Discuss
It was not surprising the NCAA Tournament received its best television ratings for an opening weekend as there was more drama than in Judge Judy’s court on payday.
LIKE IT IS: All storylines take back seat to Henderson
posted: 03/24/2013 3:28 a.m. Comment 1
It has mostly been a great NCAA Tournament.
LIKE IT IS: SEC needs Hogs’ help to restore reputation
posted: 03/22/2013 3:51 a.m. Comments 4
More than likely, the good fans of Kentucky and Tennessee have quit complaining about getting snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee last Sunday.
LIKE IT IS: One last primer to help you fill out bracket
posted: 03/21/2013 4:20 a.m. Discuss
Here are a few things to consider if you haven’t turned in your office pool NCAA Tournament bracket yet, but keep in mind that yours truly has never won an office pool and was beaten by Jennifer Christman, to her sheer joy and delight, a few years ago: One of the most intriguing first-round match-ups is between No. 6 seeded Arizona and No. 11 Belmont, the music-oriented school in Nashville, Tenn. This will be Belmont’s sixth NCAA Tournament appearance and the Bruins are 0-5, but they are one of three teams (Kansas and Memphis are the other two) to earn an automatic qualifier berth six of the past eight years. This is a program beginning to resemble that of the No. 1 West seed Gonzaga, and it is a victory or two from declaring it is not a mid-major. Arizona hasn’t played the best perimeter defense and must step it up.
LIKE IT IS: SEC can blame itself for basketball slide
posted: 03/20/2013 4:05 a.m. Discuss
In retrospect, after looking at the body of work, the SEC should feel ashamed, not jilted.
LIKE IT IS: Spinning story lines, anecdotes on NCAA teams
posted: 03/19/2013 3:41 a.m. Discuss
Just a few notes and comments about the 2013 NCAA Tournament and the bracket.
LIKE IT IS: It’ll take Anderson time to set foundation
posted: 03/17/2013 3:18 a.m. Comments 3
For 37 minutes Vanderbilt passed and posted against Arkansas’ pressure defense, and when the furious finish came, with the Razorbacks’ backs against the wall, the Commodores started to wilt.
LIKE IT IS: Ultimately, inability to make shots hurts
posted: 03/15/2013 3:01 a.m. Comments 3
It was as if the officials thought they were getting paid by the hour, or the whistle.
LIKE IT IS: Anderson putting his stamp on program
posted: 03/14/2013 3:01 a.m. Discuss
Mike Anderson’s voice was raspy, mostly from the drastic weather changes that have affected so many people’s sinuses, but his words were enthusiastic and sincere.
LIKE IT IS: Latest Hall class gets first-class celebration
posted: 03/13/2013 4:48 a.m. Discuss
Last Friday night was a sea of activity in Arkansas.
LIKE IT IS: Foley wrings every ounce out of talent
posted: 03/12/2013 3:46 a.m. Discuss
UALR women’s Coach Joe Foley sat quietly on the bench, although his mind was racing far faster than the pace of the game.
