Downtown Bentonville Inc. to Premiere Original Documentary “Because of the Tigers”
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Downtown Bentonville Incorporated (DBI) and DWTN Now are rolling out the red carpet for the community premiere of Because of the Tigers, an original 47-minute documentary that tells the remarkable story of Bentonville High School's unforgettable 2001 football season. More than a film about football, Because of the Tigers is a cinematic celebration of the players, coaches, families, and community whose lives were forever shaped by a season that united an entire town.
The premiere will take place Sunday, August 16, at Bentonville High School, beginning with an “old school” community tailgate in the parking lot at 5:30 p.m., followed by a brief welcome and documentary screening at 6:30 p.m. inside the Arend Arts Center.
Because of the Tigers revisits the Bentonville Tigers’ state championship football season through interviews with former coaches, players, families, and community members, along with photographs, home videos, and archival news footage.
The 2001 Bentonville Tigers entered the season without a head coach and with little tradition of winning football. Led by an interim coach and a senior-heavy roster searching for its identity, the team found purpose as the events of September 11, 2001, reshaped the nation and put the season into a broader perspective. At the same time, Bentonville itself was on the cusp of remarkable growth, making the Tigers' journey more than a football story—it became a reflection of a community discovering what was possible. Because of the Tigers explores how a team, a town, and a defining moment in history came together to create a legacy that still resonates today.
“As Bentonville grows, stories like this help us remember who we are,” said Dana Schlagenhaft, Executive Director of Downtown Bentonville Inc. “They remind us where we came from, what has shaped our community, and why preserving these shared memories matters.”
The documentary was created by the team behind DWTN Now, DBI’s weekly television show, with Kyle Yazzie serving as Director and Chief Videographer and Dana Schlagenhaft and Aaron Nolan serving as Producers.
“I’ve seen an advance screening of the film, and it got to me. It brought back not only that team, but the Bentonville I moved to in 2001, just before so much began to change. The documentary captures not only that team, but what Bentonville felt like at that moment in its history. Kyle, Dana and Aaron at DBI got that team, that season and that version of Bentonville exactly right,” said Paul Gatling, Sr. Director, Northwest Arkansas Engagement at UCA and former Benton County Daily Record sports editor.
Because of the Tigers was made possible through broad community support, including archival footage and materials generously contributed or licensed by ABC 40/29 News, 5NEWS, Bentonville Schools, Bentonville Athletics, the Arkansas Activities Association, Hooten’s Arkansas Football, Family 45, Choice Slides, and numerous families throughout the community.
The community tailgate is made possible through the generosity of Arvest, Pepsico, Ranchers Premium Smokehouse, Bimbo Bakeries, Smash Kitchen, Bobby Bland, and others who contributed food, refreshments, and support for the evening.
The premiere is open to former players, coaches, families, students, alumni, and any member of the community interested in this special story.
To watch the trailer, learn more, and RSVP for the premiere, visit BecauseOfTheTigers.com
About DWTN Now
DWTN Now is the Emmy-nominated, Telly Award-winning storytelling series produced by Downtown Bentonville Incorporated. Hosted by Dana Schlagenhaft and Aaron Nolan, with videography and editing by Kyle Yazzie, the program highlights the people, places, and stories shaping Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas. Through broadcast and digital platforms, DWTN Now connects audiences with the innovators, creators, and community members driving the region forward.