The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
04.21.2020 | Forty Acres Insider
Important news happening in and around Texas Athletics compiled by Vice President and Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. [<a href="http://texassports.com/archives.aspx?path=forty_acres_insider">Forty Acres Insider archives</a>]
Greetings Longhorn Nation,
We know these are extremely difficult times and we are all facing many challenges in our daily lives. But don't ever forget, none of us are in this alone. We're in this together! In times like these, let's all lean on one another, encourage, support and keep a positive attitude. We are always here for you, as we know you are for us, and we're constantly seeking different ways to stay connected, finding uplifting things we can share, providing entertainment and motivation and looking to bring a smile to everyone's faces. Let's stay stronger together and rise above!
With that in mind, we've decided to plan an exciting day full of activities to kickoff May. Our vision is to bring everyone together and have some fun on all of our social media platforms, as well as with our friends at LHN and the Austin Radio Network. Details are coming soon, so keep an eye out for those, and we'll look forward to Longhorn Nation rallying as one to celebrate Texas together. A Longhorn Nation united is a powerful force and this will be a one-of-a-kind, first-ever, magnificent all-day virtual pep rally!
LET'S HEAR FROM THE M.O.C.:
Speaking of forces that unite us, we are so lucky to have the M.O.C., Matthew McConaughey, in our lives. Last week, he shared a passionate message to all of us, featuring his unique insight, thought-provoking words and wisdom. We always appreciate his approach of taking any challenge and turning it into an opportunity. Like he said, we miss our sports and these seasons will come back, but what we're doing as a team and community now, for the well-being of everyone, is what will ultimately bring us back together. His final words were so powerful, instill such pride and passion, and epitomized the essence of the M.O.C. – "Let the rest of the world look at what we're doing here in Austin, at The University of Texas, and say, that's how you handle a crisis, just keep livin', Hook 'Em Baby!"
That's exactly the approach we'll be taking when we host another virtual all-staff meeting on Wednesday. We've said it many times before, but it definitely bears noting again – our Texas Athletics staff has been absolutely amazing in managing this crisis. I know we truly miss seeing each other and our student-athletes, and we know the challenges of working remotely don't ever get any easier, so I wanted to bring us all together to not only share some updates, but to encourage one another, to laugh and smile together and to re-energize as a group. We'll also be welcoming a really special guest to provide us with some inspiring and uplifting thoughts and messages.
WELCOME ABOARD TO WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STAFF:
Our all-staff video call will include three new Longhorns who officially joined Coach Schaefer's Women's Basketball staff last week. We are thrilled to have associate head coaches Dionnah Jackson-Durrett and Johnnie Harris, as well as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Elena Lovato coming on board. They're a highly-accomplished group with a combined 46 years of collegiate coaching experience, and we're lucky to have them. Let's give them an emphatic Hook 'Em Horns to welcome them to the Longhorn Family!
FOOTBALL SEASON TICKET RENEWALS:
While the extended deadline for renewing football season tickets is coming up on May 1, I must say we are beyond grateful for the passion on display by our loyal season tickets holders who are investing in our program by renewing. I have personally talked to so many of you and some have asked if we will refund your investment in season tickets and seat-related gifts if we are forced to cancel the season due to the pandemic. While we are doing everything we can to ensure we can safely have a football season in the fall and looking forward to that, rest assured that should the season get cancelled, or significantly altered, we will make an exception to our standard no-refund policy. Our dedicated Longhorn faithful will have the choice to have their investment returned, or to convert it (including the ticket cost) into a charitable contribution to the Longhorn Foundation. We've also moved our payment billing plan dates back so that only 25 percent of your season ticket purchases are due by May 1, if you'd rather not pay in full at this time.
FACILITY UGRADES CONTINUE:
On Saturday, I was looking for a little spark of hope and optimism and a stroll around campus to check on the progress of all of our on-going facility upgrades provided that. First and foremost, I'm so proud of all the precautions our construction teams are taking to ensure our work crews are safe while steadily getting the job done. Watching the work they're doing certainly was a joy to see, as it's a meaningful sign of progress and positive steps toward the future during these very trying times.
While I've got you and we're talking facilities, let me give you a quick update on where we are with each of them. The outdoor pool is more than 90 percent complete and the first project scheduled to be finished, which should be around mid-May. The upgrades at Mithoff Field House for our Soccer and Track & Field programs at Mike A. Myers Stadium are about 80 percent finished and those should be done at some point in June. Our player development center at Red & Charline McCombs Field is due for a fall completion. The South End Zone project at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium is coming along nicely, and last but not least, they are digging away to lay the groundwork for the Moody Center.
WNBA/NFL DRAFTS:
On another positive note, what an awesome thing it is to see our student-athletes achieve their dreams. It's absolutely what it's all about, and what a week we're having for that! It started last Friday as we saw two of our incredible Women's Basketball seniors drafted by the WNBA with Joyner Holmes going to the Seattle Storm 19th overall, and Sug Sutton to the Washington Mystics at number 36. Congratulations ladies! Next up, we've got the NFL Draft this Thursday through Saturday. This draft process has been unlike any we've seen. Normally our facilities would have been packed with scouts from every NFL team at our Pro Day that was scheduled for earlier this spring. That was unable to happen, and much like many things these days, the draft will be a very virtual experience. However, the resolve of our guys has stayed strong, they've continued their training on their own, and even though the draft will be virtual, the emotions of the day will be as real as they've ever been. All of our draft eligible players, including five of our captains – Devin Duvernay, Brandon Jones, Collin Johnson, Malcolm Roach and Zach Shackelford – have given everything they had to our program and our University, and they did it with amazing character and class, as did Joyner and Sug. The teams they join will be so fortunate to have them, and we can't thank them enough for all they've done. It fills all of us here with so much pride as they take those next steps into their futures! Oh, and on top of that, it just so happens two of those great captains of ours were just named to the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society for their great work in the classroom. Way to go Devin and Zach!
#PROUD TO BE ON THEIR TEAM:
There are so many people on our campus who inspire us, and earlier this week, we joined together with our fellow members of America's leading research universities in a message of solidarity – #ProudToBeOnTheirTeam. It was a great way to show our admiration and affection for all of the brilliant, hard-working researchers and health care workers. They're working tirelessly to help us get through this Covid-19 crisis and preparing us for the brighter days ahead!
GIVING BACK:
In closing, President Fenves established the Student Emergency Fund a few weeks back. We are so thankful for everyone who has donated as it has received a tremendous outpouring of support. In conjunction with that student initiative, there is also the UT Outpost, a food bank which operates daily to serve our UT students in need. With many of our student-athletes no longer on campus at this time and training and learning remotely, we had a surplus of food that had been ordered for our sports teams' nutritional purposes, which we are donating to this wonderful source of food aid. Our nutrition staff responsibly completed inventory and is providing products that can be best utilized based on expiration dates. We hope those of you who can, will join us in this great cause!
It's heartbreaking seeing so many people struggling during this health crisis, and it always gives us great joy to give back to our community. The incredible acts of kindness we're seeing on our campus, in our great city, state, country and world just warm my heart. This is a time that we can galvanize as one, so let's remain positive, be strong and encourage each other!
Stay healthy, be safe and keep the faith!
Hook 'em, Horns!
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Audio: Vic Schaefer interview on The Horn
