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Razorback Hall of Honor Class of 2019 announced

Razorback Hall of Honor Class of 2019 announced

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Cunningham, Johnson headling field of 15 outstading Arkansas athletes

www.arkansasrazorbacks.com

FAYETTEVILLE — The Razorbacks have a long and storied history of excellence, and that legacy will continue in just a few short weeks, when a total of 15 former University of Arkansas student-athletes will be inducted as members of the 2019 class of the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor this September.

The 2019 class consists of Razorbacks from nine different sports. The 2019 inductees were elected to the UA Sports Hall of Honor based on a vote by former Razorback letter winners in conjunction with the A Club. The UA Sports Hall of Honor, including the induction weekend, is coordinated by the Razorback Foundation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

“The history and tradition of the Razorbacks is what helps set us apart from other programs around the nation,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said.

“The Hall of Honor weekend gives us the opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed to our enduring legacy. Their efforts on and off the field have elevated our university and our state. Congratulations to this year’s inductees and we look forward to celebrating with them this fall.” The 2019 class will be inducted during the Hall of Honor weekend, Sept. 1314. Hall of Honor weekend includes a golf tournament at the Fayetteville Country Club and an induction banquet Friday evening at the Fayetteville Town Center. Inductees will also be recognized at Arkansas’ football game against Colorado State at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Kickoff for the Arkansas-Colorado State game is set for 3 p.m.

Headlining the Class of 2019 will be a pair of former Hogs who went on to play at the professional level in their chosen sport.

Dick Cunningham will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame for his outstanding play on the football field.

Part of the 1964 National Championship football team and a three-year letter-winner at offensive tackle from 1964-66, Cunningham contributed to one of the most prolific eras in Razorback Football history. Over his three seasons, Arkansas posted a 29-3 record and won the first 21 games of his career. An All-Southwest Conference selection at tackle in 1966, Cunningham was named to Arkansas’ All-Decade team for the 1960s. Cunningham helped the Razorbacks lead the SWC in scoring for three-straight years (196466). In 1965, Arkansas led the SWC in total offense (360.3 yards per game) and rushing offense (226.2 yards per game). The Razorbacks also earned a then-record 34 rushing touchdowns in 1965. Cunningham went on to play in the East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the eighth round of the NFL Draft. However, Cunningham decided to play for the Buffalo Bills of the AFL. He played a total of six seasons with the Bills (1967-72) including two years (1967-68) in the AFL and six years (196975) in the NFL. He played for Houston, Philadelphia and Detroit. He was the first recipient of the Bob Kalsu Memorial Award, named in honor of the only pro athlete killed in the Vietnam War.

Joining Cunningham will be Joe Johnson, a standout for the Razorbacks men’s basketball program.

Johnson has enjoyed success at every level in his long basketball career.

He came to the Razorbacks after earning Arkansas Mr.

Basketball honors in 1999 while playing at Little Rock Central High School.

In his freshman season at Arkansas, Johnson was voted SEC Newcomer of the Year, Co-Freshman of the Year, second team All-SEC and Basketball Times second team Freshman All-American. He led the team in scoring (16.0 ppg), rebounding (5.7 avg.) and free throw percentage (.759), while also averaging 2.2 assists per game.

Johnson additionally led the Razorbacks to the 2000 SEC Tournament Championship while being named to the all-tournament team.

As a sophomore, he led the team in scoring (14.2), rebounding (6.4) and threepoint shooting (.443) and added 2.6 assists a game.

He was named the 2001 SEC Preseason Player of the Year and went on to earn second team All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament as the Hogs reached the SEC semifinals. Johnson joined Corliss Williamson as the only Razorbacks to be SEC All-Tournament twice. He finished his collegiate career with 795 points (16.0 ppg) and 325 rebounds (6.1 avg). Johnson declared for the NBA draft after two seasons and went on to be the 10th pick in the first round by the Boston Celtics. He enjoyed a 17-year NBA career, including playing for the Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat and Utah Jazz. He was a seven-time All-Star – the most All-Star appearances by a Razorback – and was voted All-NBA third team in 2010 while playing with the Atlanta Hawks. Johnson won a bronze medal as member of Team USA at the 2006 World Championships.

Tables and individual tickets to the induction banquet and the Hall of Honor golf tournament may be purchased from the Razorback Foundation. Sponsorships are also available for the banquet and golf outing.

For more information, visit the Hall of Honor website or call the Razorback Foundation at (479) 4439000.

Look for more about the 2019 Arkansas Razorbacks Sports Hall of Fame in the Thursday online edition of the Evening Times.

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