SAAC picnic starts fall

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Fall 2008 semester begins Monday, but for the Arkansas Razorbacks the first event of the year is Sunday, Aug. 24, with the Razorback Student-Athlete Welcome Back Picnic.

The picnic caps off a pre-semester weekend for all Razorback athletes. The picnic is at 6:30 p.m. at the Randal Tyson Track Center.

Hosted by the Razorback Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the event is for the almost 450 Razorbacks participating on all 19 teams for the upcoming academic year.

Jeff Long, vice-chancellor and director of athletics, will speak to the assembled athletes.

Before the picnic, incoming Razorback athletes are set to participate in the University of Arkansas’ Academic Convocation at Barnhill Arena at 4 p.m. The convocation is a formal welcome for the thousands of first-year students at the university.

Among the speakers at the convocation ceremony are Chancellor Dr. G. David Gearhart and interim Provost Dr. Bob McMath.

The Razorbacks had another special participant in the Academic Convocation as Arkansas football head coach took part.