If you’ve ever stood inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on a Saturday in October, you know the sound. It’s not just a cheer. It’s a low, rumbling vibration that starts in the floorboards and crawls up your spine. It begins with thousands of arms raised, fingers wiggling like they’re casting a spell. Then comes the "Woo." It rises in pitch, a long, sustained howl that hangs in the humid Arkansas air before crashing into the rhythmic "Pig Sooie!"
Calling the hogs is arguably the most distinct, strange, and intimidating ritual in all of college athletics. To an outsider, it looks like a mass cult meeting involving livestock. To a Razorback, it’s home.
The Literal History of the Hog Call
Most people think some marketing genius in the 1920s sat down and drafted a "brand identity" for the University of Arkansas. Honestly? That’s not what happened at all. The school wasn't even the Razorbacks originally. They were the Cardinals. Their colors were red and white, sure, but they lacked that aggressive edge that defines the SEC today.
Everything changed in 1909.
After a hard-fought victory over Louisiana State University, the head coach at the time, Hugo Bezdek, told a crowd of cheering students that his team played like a "wild band of razorback hogs." The name stuck instantly. It was gritty. It reflected the tough, mountainous terrain of the Ozarks. But the chant—the actual act of calling the hogs—didn't show up for another decade.
Legend has it (and the University archives back this up) that a group of farmers started it. During a game in the early 1920s where the Hogs were struggling, these guys started mimicking the way they called their own pigs in for dinner. They wanted to "call" their team to victory. It was a joke that turned into a tradition, which then turned into a cultural mandate. By the 1930s, it was the official school cheer.
Think about that for a second.
👉 See also: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
A bunch of farmers yelling at pigs became the psychological warfare of a multi-million dollar athletic program. It’s brilliant. It’s also incredibly loud. When 76,000 people do it in unison, it generates enough decibels to disrupt the play-calling of even the most veteran quarterbacks.
The Mechanics: How to Do It Without Looking Like a Tourist
There is a specific cadence to calling the hogs. You can’t just scream. If you mess up the timing, the "Old Main" regulars will spot you from a mile away.
- The Raise: You start with your arms high. You wiggle your fingers. This is the "Woo" phase. It’s supposed to be a slow build.
- The Drop: On the "Pig," your arms come down.
- The Punch: On the "Sooie," you pump your fist.
You do this three times. Three reps. Then, you end it with a "Razorbacks!" chant that usually leaves everyone within a five-foot radius temporarily deaf.
It’s weirdly physical. You’ll see grandmothers in Fayetteville who have been doing this for sixty years. They don't miss a beat. They have the arm strength of a blacksmith because of this chant.
Why the "Sooie" Matters
Linguistically, "Sooie" is a fascinating word. It’s a corruption of the Latin sus, meaning swine. Farmers have used variations of this for centuries to get hogs to move toward food. In the context of Arkansas sports, it’s a summons. You are calling the team to the "trough" to feast on the competition. It’s primal.
The Psychological Impact on the SEC
Let’s talk about the SEC. It’s a conference built on tradition, but most of those traditions are "polite." You have the "Hotty Toddy" at Ole Miss or the "War Eagle" at Auburn. Those are great. But calling the hogs is different because it’s a visceral, animalistic noise.
✨ Don't miss: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
I’ve talked to former players from opposing teams who say the Hog Call is the only cheer that actually gets under their skin. Why? Because it doesn't sound like a crowd cheering for a team. It sounds like a stampede is coming.
When the Hogs are on defense and it’s a 3rd-and-long situation, the stadium turns into a pressure cooker. The chant becomes a rhythmic wall of sound. You can’t hear the snap count. You can barely hear your own thoughts. It’s a weapon.
Misconceptions and the "Razorback" Identity
A common mistake people make is thinking a Razorback is just a regular farm pig. It isn't. A Razorback is a feral hog. These things are dangerous. They have tusks, they are incredibly fast, and they are notoriously ill-tempered.
In the early 20th century, these hogs roamed the Arkansas wild. They were a legitimate threat to livestock and sometimes people. By adopting this mascot and the act of calling the hogs, the University was signaling a shift in identity. They weren't just "students" from a rural state; they were fierce, untamed, and impossible to corner.
This identity is why the chant has survived through the lean years. Arkansas hasn't always been at the top of the standings, but the fans show up and they call the hogs regardless of the score. It’s a matter of state pride. In a state without a professional NFL or NBA team, the Razorbacks are everything.
The Evolution of the Chant
While the core of the chant hasn't changed, the presentation has. Go back and watch film from the 1960s. The chant was faster, almost frantic. Today, under the direction of the spirit squads and the band, it has become more orchestrated. It’s slower. More cinematic.
🔗 Read more: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
There’s also the "Hog Call" that happens at weddings, funerals (yes, really), and overseas. If you see someone wearing a red hat in an airport in London and you yell "Woo Pig," they will respond. It’s a global tracking beacon for Arkansans.
Why This Matters in the Modern Era of NIL and Portals
You might think that in 2026, with players moving between schools via the transfer portal and NIL deals dominating the conversation, these old-school traditions would die out.
The opposite is true.
As college football becomes more corporate, fans are clinging to the things that make their schools unique. You can’t buy a Hog Call. You can’t "transfer" the feeling of a packed Bud Walton Arena screaming "Sooie" at the top of their lungs during a basketball game.
Recruits notice this. When a 5-star defensive end walks onto the field for a visit and feels the ground shake during a Hog Call, it leaves an impression. It feels "big time" in a way that a flashy locker room or a fancy uniform doesn't.
Actionable Insights for the Next Gameday
If you're planning on attending an Arkansas game or just want to understand the culture better, here are the real-world takeaways:
- Don't Rush the "Woo": The most common mistake is starting the "Pig" too early. Listen to the stadium lead. It’s a slow burn.
- The "V" Hand Signal: When your arms are up, your fingers should be wiggling. It’s meant to symbolize the energy being directed toward the field.
- Respect the Third Call: The third "Pig Sooie" is always the loudest and most aggressive. Save your breath for that final "Razorbacks!" shout.
- Wear Red, But Make It Cardinal: The specific shade is "Cardinal Red." If you show up in a bright, cherry red, you’ll look like a Georgia fan. Don’t do that.
- Visit the Trough: If you’re in Fayetteville, go to the "Hog Trough" tailgate areas. You’ll hear the chant performed in its most raw, unpolished form by people who have been doing it since the Frank Broyles era.
The tradition of calling the hogs isn't just about sports. It’s a linguistic bridge to Arkansas's agricultural past and a psychological tool for its athletic future. Whether you find it charming or terrifying, you can’t deny its power when the clock is ticking down and the Hogs need a stop.