Hog Calls

Broyles' passion just as strong as ever

Frank Broyles, surrounded by his family, calls the hogs to close the evening during the 'Coach's Quarter: A Celebration of Coach Broyles' Life and Career' banquet at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers on Saturday, June 7, 2014.
Frank Broyles, surrounded by his family, calls the hogs to close the evening during the 'Coach's Quarter: A Celebration of Coach Broyles' Life and Career' banquet at the John Q Hammons Center in Rogers on Saturday, June 7, 2014.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Frank Broyles allegedly retired last summer at age 89.

That's nonsense, of course. Nonsense even as Broyles turns 90 the day after Christmas.

"Eighty-nine is much too young to retire, and so is 90," Broyles said Wednesday in his enthused Georgia drawl, about the only pre-Arkansas influenced trait remaining since he moved here 56 years ago.

Besides, Frank Broyles can no more "retire" from the Razorbacks than the Lone Ranger be retired from his mask.

They are legendarily linked.

Variously since 1958 the University of Arkansas' head football coach, athletic director and athletic director emeritus -- who is still requested to attend and be recognized at UA functions -- has relished every Razorbacks minute that he's experienced.

"Arkansas is special," Broyles said Wednesday. "Remember that. There is nothing like it anywhere in America. I am available any time they want me."

Mostly, though, Broyles is devoted to a higher calling. It is the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation and Caregivers United, which is still distributing his Frank Broyles Alzheimer's Playbook that advises those caring for loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer's. Just as importantly it provides essential advice for caregivers, ensuring that they take care of themselves.

Barbara Broyles, Frank's late wife who was so intelligent working with innumerable charities and especially her governor-appointed efforts teaching adult literacy, succumbed in 2004 after a debilitating 10-year siege from the insidious, memory-robbing illness.

Frank and twin daughters Betsy and Linda, Barbara's primary caregivers, "operated in the dark" at the outset, Frank said. They found virtually no advice on Alzheimer's caregiving. By Barbara's aftermath they knew so much that Frank addressed Congress.

Frank and Betsy, with help later from Betsy's daughter, Molly, formed the Frank and Barbara Broyles Foundation and Caregivers United. It includes Frank's Alzheimer's Playbook, due for another printing after 900,000 copies, mostly free of charge, and placed online translated in 11 languages.

"There is no substitute for great preparation," Broyles said. "I told that to all my coaches and all my players, and there is no substitute for preparation for a caregiver."

Some of the preparation is simple yet fundamentally important, like Frank's adage that "attitude is your best asset" and that caring for a loved one, as he told his daughters, "is a privilege not a duty" and "always be positive."

Other advice is far more complex.

Moving into a Fayetteville office on Joyce Street that Frank advised was a must for expansion over working out of Betsy's home, Caregivers United requires ambitious fund-raising to fulfill its ambitious undertakings.

Often the UA's principal fund-raiser, Frank remains out front for his foundation. Between the book signings for An Arkansas Legend: The Life and Legacy of Frank Broyles, the Northwest Arkansas Media orchestrated book with 10 percent of the profit sales earmarked for Caregivers United, and the 100 percent profit for Caregivers off the 1964 Razorbacks' national championship footballs that he autographs, Frank recruits no less avidly than back in 1958 when he recruited eventual pro Hall of Famer Lance Alworth.

Frank won't retire from reminding all never to forget those who Alzheimer's impairs from remembering.

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Sports on 12/20/2014

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