The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
UT welcomes new student-athletes to campus
08.21.2009 | Texas Athletics
Aug. 21, 2009
AUSTIN, Texas -- They staged Friday's new student-athlete and parent reception in the Centennial Room, an expansive suite perched high on the west side of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, and the planned conclusion was meant to be as elaborate as the setting.
First, all the freshmen were called into another room, then paraded back in wearing Western-style straw hats -- We're Texas, after all -- and at that point, they were supposed to serenade the gathering of family, faculty, coaches and UT Athletics staff members with an A cappella version of "Texas Fight."
It ended up sounding a lot more like heckling -- out of tune and out of rhythm.
But luckily these young men and women didn't come to The University of Texas to become singers. They came to be part of an institution where winning and excellence are the tradition.
"This is a special place," UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds told them.
And it's the people, and the relationships they build with one another, that make it special.
"It's a family network here. That's the main reason I chose Texas," said Women's Track and Field freshman Chalonda Goodman. "It's just like a close-knit family."
Goodman, who won three gold medals this summer at the Pan American Junior Championships, is just one among a class of decorated newcomers. Bailey Webster came to the Texas Volleyball team as the No. 1 recruit in the nation, Women's Basketball's Cokie Reed was named a McDonald's All-American and Cody Gribble of the Men's Golf team is ranked among the nation's top 10 junior players.
But rankings and numbers were an afterthought on Friday.
"You want to help them grow up, and be better prepared four or five years later when they head out of here," Men's Tennis coach Michael Center said.
Echoed Women's Swimming head coach Kim Brackin: "We're excited to help develop these young women into, hopefully, leaders of the future -- of their family, at work, or maybe even of our country. It's exciting to be able to have that kind of impact in someone's life."
UT President William Powers told the gathered crowd that at UT, "these coaches take the whole person." It was meant to ease the minds of the parents about to leave their children off at college, but Powers' words resonated with everyone.
"I could have gone to a lot of other places, but it's unbelievable how much they care for us here, and how much they want to do anything they can to help us succeed," Gribble said. "Mr. Dodds and Mr. Powers speaking -- it's just an amazing experience."
The freshmen will enjoy a weekend of orientation activities scheduled by Dr. Randa Ryan and her academic services staff, before starting classes on Wednesday. And soon enough, the freshmen will get to turn their attention to what they came here to do -- compete.
"I feel super comfortable here. The campus is comfortable, and my team is amazing," Softball's Kim Bruins said. "I can't wait to get started. Everyone here is very welcoming."
