Looking back, looking forward

The annual Houston Nutt Car Dealers/Media golf outing usually signifies a couple of things. One, another chance for me to embarass myself on the links. Two, summer is officially over for the Razorbacks; players report at the end of the week, and fall camp begins on Saturday. The media golf outing serves as the catalyst for everyone that college football is rapidly approaching.

But now, this little get-togeter at Stonebridge Meadows also serves as a memorial. Perhaps more of a reminder of Paul Eells. One year ago to the day, Paul lost his life in a tragic car accident, on his back to Little Rock after attending the media golf outing. Both Houston Nutt and many others brought up the topic on Monday. It's also fresh in our minds after the passing of Larry Shank, the longtime public address announcer for Diamond Hog games, who passed away this weekend from brain cancer.

It's not to put a damper on an event that usually causes excitement at the approaching season. Rather it's to simply remind everyone that we move forward without one of the great human beings. But he's always with us in spirit, and will certainly be with the Hogs when they take the field each and every season.