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Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium underwent a major expansion and renovation, which was completed prior to the 2001 season, giving the University of Arkansas one of the finest football facilities in the nation.
The $110 million project (estimated), which included a $20 million gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, saw the capacity of the stadium increased from 51,000 to 72,000, but that may not even be the most noticeable improvement.
The concrete and steel below the stands has been completely enclosed with a brick and glass façade. The new look rivals that of many of the newer Major League Baseball stadiums. In addition to covering the steel and concrete, the concourses are wider, and concession areas and restrooms have been replaced.
The east concourse is "Championship Alley" with displays of conference championships, the 1964 national title and every football letterman. The south end zone concourse is "All-American Alley" and is dedicated to Razorback All-Americans. The west concourse is "Bowl Alley with tributes to each bowl team.
Other than the facade covering, the other most noticeable addition is the enclosure of the south end zone, which features chairback seating and the addition approximately 7,300 total seats with space for an additional upper deck that would push the capacity to 80,000. The enclosure also includes a food court with space for five vendors.
Other major additions include an expanded press box and the addition of luxury suites.
Sixty-eight suites/skyboxes were added, bringing the total to 132, and the stadium's capacity includes 8,950 club seats, inside and out.
Other additions include the 15,000 square foot Bob and Marilyn Bogle Academic Center and the 3,800 square foot Wilson Matthews "A" Club, both on the east side where an upper deck, which seats 6,500, was added along with enclosed premium club seating.
During the 2000 season, a 30x107-foot SMARTVISION LED video screen, the largest video board at any sports venue in the world, made its debut in the north end zone.
The stadium's debut came on Sept. 24, 1938, as Arkansas defeated Oklahoma A&M, 27-7. Dedicated on Oct. 8 of that year, the Hogs dropped a 9-6 decision to Baylor.
Constructed as a Works Progress Administration project with an original capacity of 13,500, the facility was first enlarged upon the arrival of John Barnhill as athletic director in 1947 when an additional 2,500 seats were added to the north end of the east and west grandstands.
In 1950, a new press box was constructed and 5,200 more seats were built on the west side. A 5,200-seat addition to the east side was completed in 1957.
Expansion projects in 1965 and 1969 increased capacity to 42,678 - a figure that held steady until a year of construction on additional seats and skyboxes brought the facility to 50,000 seats prior to the 1985 season.
Other improvements during the facility's 65-year history include the addition of Astroturf in 1969 and the construction of the Broyles Athletic Center - which houses athletic administration and coaches' offices - at the north end of the stadium in 1975. The Broyles Athletic Center underwent renovations completed in 1994 while the playing surface was returned to natural grass in 1995.
Arkansas' all-time record at DWRRS is 129-62-2 (.674). Prior to 1938, the Hogs played in a 300-seat stadium built in 1901 on land atop "The Hill" now occupied by Mullins Library and the Fine Arts Center.
DONALD W. REYNOLDS RAZORBACK STADIUM FACTS
CAPACITY: 72,000
FIRST GAME: Sept. 24, 1938 (Arkansas 27, Oklahoma A&M 7)
DEDICATED: Oct. 3, 1938 (Baylor 9, Arkansas 6)
ARKANSAS' RECORD: 129-62-2 (.674)
IMPORTANT DATES IN DWRRS HISTORY
DATE SIGNIFICANCE SCORE
Sept. 24, 1938 first game Arkansas 27, Oklahoma A&M 7
Oct. 3, 1938 Razorback Stadium dedicated Baylor 9, Arkansas 6
Sept. 27, 1969 first game on Astroturf Arkansas 55, Tulsa 0
Dec. 6, 1969 Game of the Century No. 1 Texas 15, No. 2 Arkansas 14
Nov. 11, 1989 first game with lights Arkansas 19, Baylor 10
Nov. 2, 1991 last Southwest Conference game Baylor 9, Arkansas 5
Oct. 3, 1992 first Southeastern Conference game Georgia 27, Arkansas 3
Sept. 9, 1995 first game on new natural grass surface Arkansas 51, South Carolina 21
Dec. 3, 1999 Donald W. Reynolds Foundation announces $20 million gift to expansion effort
