| 02/12/09 07:55 AM |
#603
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Chris Campbell
Heber Springs, Ark. -
The compassion and enthusiasm Razorback fans in Heber Springs and the surrounding area brought to their first banquet has allowed the Greers Ferry Lake Area Razorback Club to bring in head football Coach Bobby Petrino on Monday, March 2.
As the excitement builds over Petrino, the club is changing venues to try and seat as many fans as possible to see the man who just signed one of the top recruiting classes in Razorback history; a class that is ranked in the top-15 nationally by most recruiting services.
Originally, the club e-mailed only its members regarding ticket sales, but in just two weeks over 400 tickets were sold, meaning a new venue other than the Methodist Church Family Life Center had to be sought if the club wanted to allow more fans.
“Due to the overwhelming response, we decided to move the event from the Methodist Church to Hensley’s Catfish Barn. They have a seating capacity of near 600,” said Ricky Davis, Vice-President of the Greers Ferry Lake Area Razorback Club. “This will allow us to open up ticket sales again. However, we will only have 90 more to sell.”
Those seeking tickets can find a dwindling supply at Heber Springs State Bank on Main St. in Heber.
Other than Petrino, who will be the special guest-speaker, Razorback Foundation President Harold Horton will speak along with head softball Coach Jamie Pinkerton and Chuck Barrett, the ‘Voice of the Razorbacks.’
Barrett and Horton both spoke at last year’s banquet along with head baseball Coach Dave Van Horn. Approximately 278 members and guests attended last year and gave a warm welcome with a loud ‘Hog Call’ as the guests walked through a narrow path of fans and Heber Springs High School cheerleaders.
Davis encourages fans to “wear red” once again this year and “be ready to show our support.” The support the Greers Ferry Lake Area Club displayed last season caught the eye of the Razorback Foundation.
“They have a big meeting in Fayetteville once a year with all the clubs including cities like Dallas and Tulsa coming together with the groups in Arkansas towns,” said Davis. “They said if you want to know how to run a banquet call Heber Springs. Our enthusiasm was the talk of the meeting.”
Another special guest that is coming along for the banquet is “Tusk”, Arkansas’ live boar mascot. After making his way through Mount Vernon-Enola High School for a visit, Tusk will head up to Heber Springs, where he will be on display at the courthouse square from around 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. From there, Tusk will move up town to Henley’s, where he can be seen from 4 p.m. to near 6 p.m. The general public is welcome to come see the wild boar and take pictures at the square.
The Greers Ferry Lake Area Razorback Club, which started last year with over 100 memberships, costs $10 for a single membership and $15 for a family membership. A single ticket for this event is $15 and doesn’t count towards membership. Therefore, one may become a member and take in the event for $25-30.
Not only will the club get to hear from Petrino, one of the state’s most intriguing sports figures, but will be served a great meal and have a chance to bid for Razorback memorabilia through a live and silent auction. Autographed helmets, footballs, basketballs and tickets to games in Fayetteville, Little Rock and the Arkansas-Texas A & M rivalry game in Dallas will also be up for bidding.
Last year the club made $6,000 in profit and $5,000 of that was given to the Razorback Foundation. The Greers Ferry Lake Area Razorback Club was awarded the prestigious Broyles-Matthews Donor award for its contribution last season.
For more information on the banquet or becoming a member of the club, contact Vice President Ricky Davis at (501)-206-0303, President Chris Campbell at (501) 350-2377 or Treasurer Bill Lynch at (501) 362-9350.
Be ready to call the Hogs when the banquet starts at 6 p.m., Monday, March 2.
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