On taking attendance

It appears the University of Arkansas athletic department is attempting to deceive the public into believing there are more people at Razorback football games than actually attend.

The “paid attendance” as released by the athletic department at the recent game with lowly Coastal Carolina was 61,476. More than one veteran sports writer estimated from 41,000 to 46,000 actually attended.

Attendance, according to the dictionary, means “those who attend.” If there’s anything the U of A needs at this time, it’s complete honesty.

Why not install turnstiles for an actual count? If that’s not possible, at least say there were 61,476 tickets sold but the official estimate of actual attendance was 46,000 or whatever it might be.

In my opinion, coming back to beat by one point a team Arkansas State trounced 51-17 is not a lot to brag about but, yes, it’s better than a loss.

Let’s face it. If the Razorbacks and ASU Red Wolves opened their season each year at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock there likely would be standing room only. The U of A ticket office then wouldn’t have to worry about issuing an actual attendance figure.

I believe 85 percent of both U of A and ASU fans would back such a game. And that’s a conservative estimate. VERNON McDANIEL Ozark