Texas Longhorn Athletics

. Accessed December 1, 2005. At football games, students frequently sing "Texas Fight", the University's fight song, while displaying the Hook 'em Horns hand gesture. The University of Texas Longhorn Band is also known as the "Showband of the Southwest." The school mascot is a Texas longhorn named Bevo.

Football

The Longhorns have a long tradition of winning football games. Only three programs, Notre Dame, University of Nebraska and the University of Michigan, have won more games than Texas,[Division I-A All-Time Wins]. College Football Database. which marked its 800th victory with its win over the USC Trojans in the 2006 BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the team was somewhat less successful, but has recently returned to prominence, finishing in the top ten in 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005. The team currently plays home games in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium which has a seating capacity of 80,082, but, as evidenced by the 1999 game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, actual attendance could surpass 85,000.[Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium] The stadium is undergoing renovations scheduled to start November 14, 2005, two days following UT's last home football game of the season. The improvements are scheduled to be completed before the 2006-2007 football season, and include additional seating Young, Meghan [Regents approve stadium upgrades] November 10, 2005 The Daily Texan. and the nation's first high definition video display in a collegiate facility.[Longhorns choose Daktronics for HD video display]

Under the current bowl system, the Longhorns played their first Bowl Championship Series game in 2005 at the Rose Bowl against the University of Michigan. The game was the first meeting between the two storied teams and the Longhorns' first trip to the Rose Bowl for a BCS game. The Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 38-37 thanks to a successful field goal kick by Dusty Mangum as time expired off the clock. Three ex-Longhorns from the 2005 Rose Bowl team, Cedric Benson, Derrick Johnson, and Bo Scaife, were selected in the 2005 NFL Draft.

The Longhorns are currently coached by Mack Brown.

All-Time Longhorn All-Americans

Player	Position	Year(s)
Ben Adams	OG	1998
Marty Akins	QB	1975
Will Allen	OG	2005
Scott Appleton	DT	1963*
Bill Atessis	DE	1970*
Rod Babers	CB	2002
Hub Bechtol	DE	1944, 1945*, 1946*
Cedric Benson	RB	2004
Justin Blalock	OT	2005
Tony Brackens	DE	1995*
Blake Brockermeyer	OT	1994
Max Bumgardner	HB	1947
Mossy Cade	DB	1983
Earl Campbell	RB	1975, 1977*
Kwame Cavil	WR	1999
Gene Chilton	C	1985
Randall Clay	HB	1949
Raymond Clayborn	DB	1976
Chal Daniel	OG	1941
Leonard Davis	OT	2000*
Doug Dawson	OG	1983*
Phil Dawson	PK	1996
Tony Degrate	DT	1984*
Bobby Dillon	RB	1951
Derrick Dockery	OL	2002*
Maurice Doke	OG	1959
Shane Dronett	DE	1991
Doug English	DT	1974
Russell Erxleben	PK	1976, 1977, 1978
Happy Feller	PK	1970
Pat Fitzgerald	TE	1995, 1996
Tommy Ford	RB	1963
Chris Gilbert	RB	1968*
Herb Gray	OT	1955
Jerry Gray	DB	1983*, 1984*
Lance Gunn	DB	1992
Britt Hager	LB	1988
Glen Halsell	LB	1969*
Casey Hampton	DT	1999, 2000*
Aaron Harris	LB	2005
Dick Harris	OT	1947
Scott Henderson	LB	1970
Tillman Holloway	OG	2003
Michael Huff	S	2005*
Jay Humphrey	OT	1998
Quentin Jammer	CB	2001*
Derrick Johnson	LB	2003*, 2004*
Johnnie Johnson	DB	1978*, 1979*
Johnny Jones	WR	1978, 1979
Malcolm Kutner	SE (OL)	1941
Bobby Layne	QB	1946, 1947*
Roosevelt Leaks	RB	1973*
Jeff Leiding	LB	1983*
Carlton Massey	DE	1953*
Bud McFadin	OG	1949, 1950*
Bob McKay	OT	1969*
Steve McMichael	DT	1978, 1979*
Don Menasco	DE	1950
Dan Neil	OG	1995, 1996*
Tommy Nobis	OG/LB	1964, 1965*
Joe Parker	DE	1943
Cory Redding	DE	2001, 2002
Stanley Richard	DB	1990
Corby Robertson	LB	1967
Roger Roesler	OG	1999
James Saxton	RB	1961*
Jonathan Scott	OT	2005*
Harley Sewell	OG	1952
Brad Shearer	DT	1977
Bob Simmons	OT	1974, 1975*
Kenneth Sims	DT	1980*, 1981*
Jerry Sisemore	OT	1971*, 1972*
Cotton Speyrer	WR	1969, 1970
Kris Stockton	PK	2000
Tom Stolhandske	DE	1952
Don Talbert	DT	1961
Terry Tausch	OT	1981*
Johnny Treadwell	G	1962*
Nathan Vasher	CB	2001, 2003
Loyd Wainscott	DT	1968
Jeff Ward	PK	1986
Bryant Westbrook	CB	1996
Mike Williams	OT	2001
Ricky Williams	RB	1997*, 1998*
Roy Williams	WR	2003
Steve Worster	FB	1969, 1970*
Rod Wright	DT	2005*
Bob Wuensch	OT	1969, 1970*
Bill Wyman	C	1973*
Vince Young	QB	2005*

2005-2006 Texas Longhorns football

In the 2006 Rose Bowl, Vince Young led Texas to a fourth National Championship to cap the 2005 season

Brown, who was often lauded for his recruiting while being criticized for failing to win championships, followed up a strong 2004 season on the field with an extremely successful 2005 recruiting season by securing the top-ranked recruiting class (the 2005 recruiting season is for players entering the University in Fall 2006). With the exception of Cedric Benson, Derrick Johnson, and Bo Scaife, Texas returned most of their key players from 2004–2005, including red-shirt Junior Quarterback Vince Young.

Texas was given a pre-season #2 ranking (behind defending National Champions University of Southern California) by Sports Illustrated magazine, and was also ranked second in the AP and USA Today coaches pre-season polls. They maintained those rankings throughout the entire 2005–2006 season.

On October 24, 2005, Texas passed USC in the Bowl Championship Series rankings because a strong showing in the computer rankings, which favored the Longhorns because of the overall strength of their opponents, as well as the win the week before over previously unbeaten Texas Tech. The first place ranking was the first ever for Texas in the BCS era, and the first top ranking in any major football poll since October 8, 1984, when they were atop both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. Veyhl, Jake [Longhorns Number 1 for First Time in BCS Rankings] October 25, 2005 The Daily Texan The 0.0007 percent margin separating Texas from USC was the slimmest margin between the top two teams since the inception of BCS rankings.Harmonson, Todd [Texas ascends to No. 1 in BCS ahead of USC] October 25, 2005 The San Diego Union-Tribune

The stay at the top was short-lived. With the October 31, 2005 BCS rankings, Texas remained first in the computer rankings, with Virginia Tech actually pulling even with USC for number 2 in the computer rankings. However, USC remained atop both human polls and was able to reclaim the top overall ranking. Texas and USC ended up winning out their seasons and faced each other in the National Championship, which Texas won, 41-38.

At the conclusion of the 2005-2006 season, Sports Illustrated issued a special commemorative edition (pictured) that featured Vince Young shouting in triumph amidst a storm of multi-colored confetti. Features in the special edition included a story on Vince Young's Glory Days by author Tim Layden, as well as a story disecting How the Rose Bowl was won by Austin Murphy. The issue was on sale nationwide alongside the regular edition of the magazine, which also featured the Rose Bowl on the cover.

2005-2006 Texas Longhorns football schedule

* Rankings are from the Associated Press poll released prior to each game.
† First national championship since 1970 (BCS, AP).

2006-2007 Texas Longhorns football

Leading into the 2006 season

The Horns' main challenges are to get one or all of the freshman QBs (redshirt freshman Colt McCoy, true freshman Jevan Snead, or true freshman Sherrod Harris) to effectively orchestrate the offense and to maintain the quality of the defense despite the loss of key contributors in the defensive backfield.^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}

With the exceptions of Vincent Young, David Thomas, Jonathan Scott, and Will Allen, Texas returns most of its key offensive players from 2005–2006, including true sophomore running back Jamaal Charles, receivers Quan Crosby, Billy Pittman, and Limas Sweed and linemen Lyle Sendlein, Kasey Studdard, and Justin Blalock.

The defense, while losing starters Rodrique Wright, Aaron Harris, Cedric Griffin and Michael Huff, should have strong linebackers, a solid defensive line, and two award candidates in defensive backs Michael Griffin and Tarrell Brown.

Texas appears in the top 5 of most pre-season rankings.^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}

2006-2007 Texas Longhorns football schedule

Basketball

Brandon Mouton shoots a free throw during a UT Basketball game.

In recent years, the men's basketball team has gained prominence. In 2003, the basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Final Four round, and in 2004 advanced to the Sweet Sixteen round. In 2005, they tied for the Big 12 Conference regular season championship, but lost to the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 Conference tournament championship game, 80-68. In the 2006 NCAA Tournament they would advance to the Elite Eight, losing to Louisiana State University in overtime.

Texas entered the 2006 Championship Tournament as a second seed. 2006 Also marks the 100th anniversary of basketball at UT, and special logos have been placed on the uniforms to commemorate this anniversary.

The women's basketball team has long been a national power, especially during the late 1980s (winning a National Title in 1986) and through the 1990s. Both teams play home games in the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. This year (2005-2006) they went into the season ranked #2 in the nation until they were beat by the #1 Duke Blue Devils in East Rutherford, New Jersey and the Tennessee Lady Vols.

Baseball

Texas baseball team with the 2006 Lone Star Showdown trophy

The University's baseball team is considered one of the best in the nation with more trips to the College World Series (CWS) than any other school, extending their record in 2005 to 32 appearances. Texas has also won more individual games in the CWS than any other school, though they do not have the most championships. Texas has won the CWS six times: 1949, 1950, 1970, 1983, 2002 and 2005. The team was runner-up five other times: 1953, 1984, 1985, 1989 and 2004. Former Longhorns who went on to success in the pros include Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi, Burt Hooton, Keith Moreland, Spike Owen, Greg Swindell and Huston Street.

In June of 2006, Texas was eliminated from the NCAA Baseball tournament by North Carolina State. The team plays home games on Disch-Falk Field.

Golf

Gymnastics

Volleyball

	Gold	Silver	Bronze
2004	9	4	6
2000	9	9	2
1996	7	2	3
1992	5	3	3
1988	5	4	1
1984	5	1	0
Prev.	8	1	0
Total	48	24	15

Swimming and diving

Several Longhorn athletes have had success at the Olympics over the years. The table at right shows Longhorn medals won in the Summer Olympics.

Intramural sports

UT was chosen number 1 by SI

UT offers a large number of intramural sports opportunities. Some of these teams compete with other university clubs.

The women's volleyball club won National Championship honors at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Collegiate Volleyball Sport Club Championships April 14 - April 16, 2005 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Rivalries

Oklahoma Sooners to also be important rivals in football, especially in recent years due to the prominence of both programs. Other teams have been considered to be rivals of Texas in various sports.

Texas A&M

The Texas/Texas A&M rivalry has given rise to several stereotypes on both sides: Aggies are generally portrayed as ignorant and dumb farmers, while Longhorns are portrayed as highbrow and arrogant city-slickers. The annual football game with Texas A&M takes place the day after Thanksgiving each year. In an attempt to generate more attention for the rivalry in sports other than football, in 2004 the two schools started the Lone Star Showdown, a trial two-year program. Essentially, each time the two schools meet in a sport, the winner of the matchup gets a point. At the end of the year, the school with the most points wins the series and receives a trophy.

Aspects of the rivalry include:

• Each school mentions the other in their fight song (Texas with "and it's goodbye to A&M" in Texas Fight, and the Aggies singing about Texas for essentially the entire second verse of the Aggie War Hymn)
• The football series between the two universities is the third longest running rivalry in all of collage football. Since 1900, the last regular season football game is usually reserved for their matchup.
• Each school has elaborate pre-game preparations for the annual football clash, including the Aggie Bonfire and the Hex Rally
• Texas has a unique lighting scheme for the UT Tower after wins over Texas A&M.[University approves new policy for lighting UT Tower] On Campus. Accessed 1 December 2005.
• In the past, mischief has preceded the annual game, such as "kidnapping" each other's mascots.

University of Oklahoma

There is also a long-standing rivalry with the University of Oklahoma. The football game between the University of Texas and Oklahoma is commonly known as the "Red River Shootout" and is held annually in Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl. This name has come to refer to the two schools' contests in other major team sports as well. Since 2005, the football game has received sponsorship dollars in return for being referred to as the "SBC Red River Rivalry", a move which has been criticized both for its commercialism and its political correctness.

In recent years, this rivalry has taken on added significance, since both football programs have been highly ranked and compete in the same division of the Big 12 conference. In 2005, the Dallas Morning News did an opinion poll of the 119 Division 1A football coaches as to the nations top rivalry game in college football. The Texas/OU game was ranked third.

Aspects of the rivalry include:

The South Oval in Norman, OK

• The Red River Shootout originated in 1900, while Oklahoma was still a territory of the United States, and it is the longest-running college-football rivalry played on a neurtral field.
• The game is played in Dallas, Texas (mid-way between the two campuses, in a Cotton Bowl stadium split with each team having an equal number of supporters on each side of the 50 yard line. Texas state flags fly around the Longhorn end of the stadium and Oklahoma state flags fly around the Sooner end.
• Longhorn fans give them Hook 'em Horns gesture in support of their team. Sooner fans don't have their own hand signal, but they use an upside down version of the same gesture, known by Sooner fans as the "Horns Down" sign, to deride the Longhorns.
• A prominent red and white slogan is painted on the pavement at a busy pedestrian area of the South Oval of the OU Norman campus reminds OU students daily to "Beat the Hell out of Texas".
• The University of Texas holds its annual Torchlight Parade during the week of the Red River Shootout.

Others

Many other schools consider UT among their biggest rivals. This list includes most other colleges in Texas, but especially Baylor (located just up Interstate 35 from UT), Texas Tech, and Houston. Texas is also the biggest rival of the University of Arkansas which may be attributed to their long tenure as the two eponymous state schools of the former Southwest Conference, or to the 1969 game between the two, which decided the national championship in favor of the Longhorns.

Facilities

Major sporting facilities and their main use include:

• Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium — football
• Frank Erwin Special Events Center — basketball
• Disch-Falk Field — baseball
• Mike A. Myers Stadium — soccer
• Red and Charline McCombs Field — softball
• Gregory Gymnasium — volleyball
• Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center — swimming and diving
• Penick-Allison Tennis Center — tennis
• Texas Rowing Center — rowing

In addition, the University of Texas has numerous practice, training, and intramural facilities.

Traditions

Texas is a tradition-rich school, and many of those traditions are associated with athletics events, especially football. Some UT traditions include:

• Bevo - the school mascot, a live Texas longhorn steer present for football games and other special events
• Big Bertha - the world's largest drum
• "The Eyes of Texas" - the school song
• Hook 'em Horns - the school hand signal, was introduced at a pep rally in 1955.[Proud Traditions: Hook 'em Horns] Mack Brown Texas Football. Within a few years, the symbol was widely known to football fans across the state and country. Sports Illustrated featured the Hook 'em Horns symbol in front of a Texas pennant on the cover of their 10 September 1973 issue (pictured). That issue of the magazine highlighted the Texas football program as the best in the nation at that time.
• "Texas Fight" - the school fight song
• Texas - Fight! cheer - one side of the stadium yells "Texas!" and then the other side yells "Fight" - this is usually repeated several times
• Script Texas - half-time routine by the Longhorn Band
• Smokey the Cannon - fired in celebration on game day at the moment of kickoff and after UT scores
• The University of Texas Longhorn Band, nicknamed The Showband of the Southwest
• Cheerleading by the Texas cheerleaders and Pom squads
• Lighting the UT Tower (also known as the Main Building) in different colors for various types of sporting victories
• Read the rest - Students from Texas A&M University and the University of Oklahoma usually taunt Texas students by threatening to "saw off" the horns of Bevo, citing the Bible verse [Psalms 75:10], "I shall cut off the horns of the wicked." As it turns out, that's not the entire verse, and as a response, Texas students tell Aggies and Sooners to "read the rest." The rest of the verse is "but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up." This appears on shirts, usually with "Hook 'Em" written underneath.

Quotes

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

[Special]

• "... why, some say the Moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask, why climb the highest mountain? Why - 35 years ago - why fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the Moon, we choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard ..."
• *John F. Kennedy, referring to the general skill gap between Texas and Rice University, from a speech given at Rice Stadium, September 12, 1962
• "When the challenger meets the champion and the challenger wins, there is a new champion."
• *Wayne Hardin, coach of the US Naval Academy, ranked #2 prior to the 1963 Cotton Bowl, hoping to pull off an upset of #1 Texas. At the time, the prevailing custom was for the final polls to come out in advance of the bowl game, meaning Texas had already been crowned the National Champions. Texas coach Darrell Royal replied, "We're ready." and the Longhorns went on to win the game.

References

External links

• [Texas Longhorn Athletics]

 

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