FAYETTEVILLE -- During an era when corporate branding and making money dominate the college athletics landscape, the Arkansas Razorbacks still emote the essence of Arkansas.
They did last Thursday on the Fayetteville Square.
An introduction ceremony was hastily arranged on the eve of Arkansas hosting the 24th Thorpe Cup, a competition between U.S. and German decathletes and heptathletes, as well as an Olympic sendoff for Rio de Janeiro-bound Razorbacks still training in Fayetteville.
The Thorpe Cup was held Friday and Saturday at John McDonnell Field outdoor track.
The absence of two Brazil-bound ex-Razorbacks -- long jumper Jarrion Lawson and pole-vaulter Sandi Morris, who were competing elsewhere last weekend -- didn't deter an estimated crowd of 300 from bringing the enthusiasm of a thousand to the occasion.