UA to Honor ‘94 National Championship Team March 1st

December 14, 2008 8:53 pm · By Dustin · 1 Comment

It’s been a long time coming, but the University of Arkansas officially announced last week its plans to honor the 1994 Razorback Basketball National Championship team at halftime of the Arkansas-Georgia game at Bud Walton Arena March 1st.

It’s being done as part of a weekend’s worth of festivities in what’s being called “Celebration of a Championship” to honor the 15 year anniversary of the University of Arkansas’ first and only basketball National Championship.

The festivities kick off on February 28th with an invitation only banquet, and will continue on Sunday. From noon until 2 p.m., the coaches and players from the 1994 team will sign autographs at tables in the concourse. Commemorative posters will be given to the first 10,000 fans through the doors. Also beginning at noon, the 1994 championship game will be played in its entirety on the video board in the arena and on monitors through the concourse. At halftime, the team will be recognized on the court.

Probably the biggest news about this event is the fact that Nolan Richardson, the winningest coach in Arkansas history will be in attendance, as Athletic Director Jeff Long has made significant in-roads to heal the wounds created by Richardson’s firing in 2002. The 10 year anniversary of the championship was not recognized by the University because Richardson and the University were embroiled in a lawsuit that stemmed from his dismissal two years before. The courts ruled in favor of the University, and Richardson had not set foot on University property, that is until last Thursday. Richardson was on campus for the press conference announcing the “Celebration of a Championship” event.

“It’s amazing how things make turns over the years and time heals,” Richardson said. “In time, people see things differently that they couldn’t see then.

“That’s called the healing process. You get a chance to heal and move forward.”

We’re glad that Long is reaching out to heal the relationship with one of the best coaches the U of A has ever had. We can’t wait to see old Nolan on the court in Walton Arena again in March.