White Water Tavern screens The Identity Theft of Mitch Mustain Wednesday night pic

  • White Water Tavern screens “The Identity Theft of Mitch Mustain” Wednesday night.

‘THE IDENTITY THEFT OF MITCH MUSTAIN’
9 p.m. White Water Tavern.

Advertisement

Back in the early fall of 2006, if you cared about the Razorbacks football team or knew anyone who cared about the Razorbacks football team, the name Mitch Mustain was likely a familiar one. Many a Hog fan’s head was filled with visions of touchdown passes, cheering crowds and maybe, eventually, one of those big Waterford crystal footballs and fond future memories of “The Mitch Mustain Era.”

But it didn’t work out that way for the vaunted Springdale quarterback and 2005 USA Today High School Offensive Player of the Year. There’s probably no need to rehash all of it at this point, as it’s just a painful memory for fans. So why would you want to see a 90-minute documentary about it?

Advertisement

I’ll defer to Arkansas Expats writer Doc Harper, who caught the movie at this year’s Little Rock Film Fest: “The story involves most of all the worst parts of college sports. The filthiness of recruiting. Coaches pushing their own agendas at the expense of their players. Inappropriately meddlesome boosters. Media and fans twisting teenagers into demigods. Power, corruption, deceit, influence, ambition. It’s all very ‘Game of Thrones,’ with the Broyles Center taking the place of the Iron Throne and everybody forgetting that the point of high-level college football is the crystal football. And no dragons.”

The film, by Matthew Wolfe, was narrated by Nolan Richardson, himself a legendary figure who knows a thing or three about how heated and insane things can get in Hog Country. Loblolly Creamery will be serving booze-y milkshakes at this screening.

Advertisement

50 years of fearless reporting and still going strong

Be a part of something bigger and join the fight for truth by subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been tackling powerful forces through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 email subscribers, it's clear that our readers value our commitment to great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing or donating – as little as $1 –, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be supporting our efforts to hire more writers and expand our coverage. Take a stand with the Arkansas Times and make a difference with your subscription or donation today.

Previous article Political notes: Congress, lt. governor, Pulaski election commission Next article UALR willing to occupy Tech Park, chancellor says