clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

What Was Life Like The Last Time Arkansas Baseball Didn't Make A Regional?

I mean, it's been 14 years.

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Each time, it seems, Arkansas baseball takes the field its chances of making any kind of postseason appearance – SEC Tournament included – gets even lower. A 7-20 mark in conference is probably the last thing anyone expected, and just listening to Dave Van Horn talk after games, you can tell the season has taken a toll on him as well.

The Razorbacks have been in the NCAA Tournament each year since 2001 – Norm DeBriyn's next to last season. So, Van Horn has never missed a regional since becoming the head coach at Arkansas, which is amazing in itself.

And with that, we're going to take a trip back to 2001 today and remember all that happened the last time Arkansas wasn't a factor in the postseason.

The last year Arkansas baseball didn't make a regional....

Life

– Bill Clinton served his final day in the White House as POTUS

– George Bush became the 43rd President of the United States

– Gas was only $1.46 per gallon

– Wrinkle-free shirts and Dockers Mobile Pants were invented

Technology

– Apple introduced the first iPod

– Microsoft released the Xbox, Nintendo released the GameCube and Napster began to plummet

– Every journalist's favorite source Wikipedia went online

Pop Culture

– Britney Spears danced with a Python at the MTV Music Video Awards and was dating Justin Timberlake

– Nickelback, Uncle Kracker, Janet Jackson and Destiny's Child were a few of music's most popular artists

– FRIENDS was one of the most popular shows on television, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was the most popular movie

– Outkast's Ms. Jackson was a No. 1 hit

Sports

– Purdue was in a Rose Bowl

– Michael Vick was the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and Allen Iverson stepped over Tyronn Lue in the NBA Finals

– Arkansas' Joe Johnson was the 10th overall pick to the Boston Celtics

– Arkansas defeated Ole Miss in the legendary seven overtime game, 58-56

– Houston Nutt was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year

– A Nebraska football player won the Heisman Trophy – for real

– Nick Saban won an SEC championship as head coach of LSU

– Barry Bonds tied, then set the MLB single season home run record

– The Razorback basketball program had six crowds over 19,000 and two over 20,000

In no way do I believe this will become a trend for Arkansas. Van Horn and his coaching staff have built the program into a proven winner that just hasn't quite gotten over the final hurdle. Chalk it up to a down year. Arkansas baseball will be back.