FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On Monday, Aug. 17, community leaders from the Little Rock region and University of Arkansas officials announced plans for RazorRock, billed as Central Arkansas’ week-long Razorback football rally. The series of events will lead into Arkansas’ Sept. 5 home opener against Missouri State in Little Rock’s War Memorial Stadium.

The announcement was made at a 10 a.m. Monday news conference in the Little Rock Regional Chamber’s AT&T Auditorium featuring Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Arkansas.

“We are excited about RazorRock and the weeklong celebration associated with our football game at War Memorial Stadium,” said Long. “Central Arkansas has always been strong supporters of the University of Arkansas and the Razorback program, RazorRock is another demonstration of their great passion. RazorRock events will help build even more excitement prior to our opening game on September 5^th. We are appreciative of the many organizations and businesses that have come together to make certain that the Razorbacks’ trip to the Capital City will be a memorable one for everyone involved.”

“The Arkansas Razorbacks have a rich history as a great unifier in our state,” said Greg Nabholz, board member of the Argenta Downtown Council and chairman of RazorRock. “That is particularly evident when the Hogs come to Central Arkansas.”

Nabholz continued, “RazorRock was born of our community’s desire to expand the Razorback fan experience to more than just one day.”

According to Nabholz, the rally and events are simply bonuses to the region’s existing world-class attractions, culture, dining, entertainment, recreation, shopping and sports. “Our message to fans across the state and beyond our borders is ‘When you come to the Little Rock region for the game, come early and stay late’.”

The week will culminate in a first-ever, Friday night pep rally on the historic Junction Bridge, connecting the downtowns of Little Rock and North Little Rock.

The entire University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band, under the direction of Christopher Knighten, the new director of athletic bands, as well as the university’s cheerleaders, pom squad and Tusk will come to Central Arkansas a day early to be a part of the rally. The Arkansas River will be filled by the inaugural Razorback Navy – boaters from up and down the river. In the north shore RV park, overflow Road Hogs will bring and share their own traditions.

Following the event on the bridge, the band will parade to Dickey-Stephens Park to play the national anthem before the Arkansas Travelers play the last of a four-game series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

RazorRock officially begins Monday, Aug. 31, with a Little Rock Touchdown Club luncheon featuring coach Bobby Petrino.

“It’s a rare and special opportunity to have the head coach on game week,” said Ron Rainey, president of the Arkansas Alumni Association (Capital Chapter), who introduced the week’s schedule of events. “We appreciate coach Petrino and David Bazzel, Kelly Lasseigne and their Little Rock Touchdown Club team for launching RazorRock was such a high profile event.”

Bookended by the Petrino luncheon and Junction Bridge pep rally will be three Arkansas Alumni Association (Capital Chapter) events and the four Arkansas Travelers games at Dickey-Stephens Park. According to Rainey, other events may be added as the event draws closer.

The Capital Chapter will also offer RazorRock 2009 wrist bands, which will give the purchaser discounts in participating area businesses. All proceeds from the band sales will go to funding the chapter’s five University of Arkansas scholarships for Central Arkansas students. “We’re hoping sales will allow us to fund a sixth scholarship,” said Rainey.

RazorRock is sponsored by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau, AT&T, Arkansas Travelers, Argenta Downtown Council and Downtown Little Rock Partnership.

RazorRock partners include Argenta Downtown Council, Arkansas Alumni Association (Capital Chapter), Arkansas River Cities Sports Commission, Arkansas Travelers, Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock Touchdown Club, North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau, Razorback Foundation, Razorback Navy, University of Arkansas and War Memorial Stadium.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit www.RazorRockRally.com. All events and times are subject to change.

RazorRock Schedule of Events

Monday, Aug. 31
Little Rock Touchdown Club
Featuring Bobby Petrino, head football coach, University of Arkansas
Embassy Suites Little Rock
Lunch 11:00 am; Program 12:00 pm
Little Rock Touchdown Club Members $20; Guests $30
For more information, e-mail Kelly Lasseigne

Arkansas Travelers vs. Springfield Cardinals
Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 1
Arkansas Alumni Association (Capital Chapter)
Networking Reception
Featuring Skip Rutherford
Dean, University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service)
The Value of Education and Community Service
Sturgis Hall, 5:30-7 p.m.
$5 Arkansas Alumni Association Members; $10 Guests

Arkansas Travelers vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 2
Arkansas Travelers vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 3
Arkansas Alumni Association (Capital Chapter) Luncheon
Featuring Dr. Fitz Hill
President, Arkansas Baptist College)
The Importance of Education
North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$15 Arkansas Alumni Association Members; $20 Guests

Arkansas Travelers vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 4
Arkansas Alumni Association (Capital Chapter)
Pre-Rally Networking Social
Gusano’s, 4:15-5:45 p.m.

RazorRock Rally
Featuring University of Arkansas Marching Razorback Band, cheerleaders, pom pom squad and Tusk
Junction Bridge, North & South Banks of Arkansas River,
Downtown Little Rock & North Little Rock
6-6:30 p.m.

Parade to Dickey-Stephens Park
6:30 p.m.

Arkansas Travelers vs. Northwest Arkansas Naturals
Dickey-Stephens Park, 7:10 p.m.
National anthem by University of Arkansas Marching Razorback Band
Fireworks immediately following game