Former President Clinton Presents Message to Eddie Sutton

Eddie Sutton was honored at Arkansas over the weekend. They put his name in the rafters and had former president Bill Clinton tape a video (the photo above, while spectacular, is from two years ago).

“Eddie, as I told you the other day when we talked, I am very sorry I can’t be there tonight,” Clinton said. “Your time as coach was a defining era in Razorback basketball. You put our program on the map. You helped mold a generation of student-athletes into winners on the court and after they left. You made us think we could win again.

“Eddie Sutton’s era defined Razorback basketball. He put our program on the map.” – @billclinton https://t.co/NBWK7LoGTe

— Razorback Basketball (@RazorbackMBB) February 22, 2016

“From reaching the NCAA Tournament in nine of your 11 seasons to leading the Hogs to the 1978 Final Four and introducing the nation to the famed Triplets, you and your teams always gave us plenty to cheer for. So on this special night for you, I join all Razorback fans — and especially those of us who are proud to call you friend — in saying thanks. Thanks for everything. Congratulations, friend. Go Hogs.”

Doug Gottlieb noted on Twitter that Clinton used to ring up Sutton even after big OSU wins (which is amazing, right?)

The President used to call coach after our big games… https://t.co/tmEmgu1eTt

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 21, 2016

You should go read Bill Haisten’s first-hand account. He was there and wrote about it for the Tulsa World.