The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
05.26.2020 | 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,
Though we couldn't be together for our traditional large gatherings on Memorial Day and the events around that, it didn't diminish the amount of gratitude, respect and appreciation we shared to begin this week, as on Monday we honored those who gave their lives for our great nation in military service. We joined together as we took pause to remember our fallen service men and women, and as we watched the many virtual events paying tribute to all of them and their families. It was a day to commemorate and salute those brave people who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. We all should do it year-round, but Memorial Day is an important time of heightened awareness when we share and reflect upon what makes our country incredible and the values these national heroes defended and upheld. We are so grateful and fortunate to live in America!
Congratulations UT Graduates:
Last week was certainly a special one as we recognized 83 Texas student-athletes on my favorite day on the Forty Acres – Graduation Day! For the last several years, we've cheered them on the field, court, track, course and pool and celebrated their many accomplishments. They are truly amazing and we are so proud, but never more so than seeing them in those caps and gowns with our student-athlete stoles draped across their necks and alongside their families beaming with pride! We were so disappointed we couldn't be together personally to share this tremendous achievement, and we miss them all so much, but in this case, a photo was definitely worth a million bucks, and we are so happy they shared those moments with us. During difficult times, those images united us as Longhorn Nation and allowed us to share our love for our graduates all week long in a massive virtual tribute to each and every one of them. It was a special time, and The Eyes of Texas were firmly upon them.
This will forever be a memorable class that has overcome so much. They managed an unprecedented final semester, came away with flying colors and now have a chance to wear that Texas ring with such pride. So few have the opportunity to do that. Earning a degree is a big-time accomplishment, and one they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. They are all so bright and talented and have awesome futures in front of them. Congratulations Class of 2020, you know what we like to say – "What Starts Here Changes the World" – and you will change the world. You'll always have an extra special place in our hearts and history. I'm so proud to know you, so proud of your accomplishments, and I can't wait to see what you do. As I always say – the world is your oyster, go make your pearl! Hook 'Em!
A lifetime Longhorn who deserves a special shout out is Stanley Richard, the Sheriff himself, who after an exceptional NFL career, and while succeeding in life after football as a rancher, felt something was missing. He felt the pull to return to school and finish what he started, and last week, he did that as he received that coveted Texas diploma. Sheriff, you epitomize The Pride and Winning Tradition of the Texas Longhorns! And Kudos to his former teammate and now our defensive ends coach Oscar Giles, and Assistant AD for Student Services Kat Hastings for giving him that nudge and support to help make it happen.
Kudos also go out to our campus leaders for putting together a truly special UT virtual graduation on Saturday night, topped off by the words of wisdom of internationally acclaimed researcher and author, UT Austin graduate and McCombs School of Business visiting professor Brené Brown. Her message of, "Don't be afraid to fall," are words this resilient class can take with them into their future. Listen to her address here.
I'd also like to send out a huge Hook 'Em and thank you to our student services staff, headed up by Dr. LaToya Smith, for all the care and support they provided to our graduates and how much their servant leadership aids in the development of all of our student-athletes. There is no "I" or "Me" in that team, and they work tirelessly in helping us develop our student-athletes in all facets of the college experience.
And finally, thank you to Coach Herman for this powerful message to the entire UT Class of 2020. Well said, Coach!
A Look Back at Men's Tennis in Run of Champs Documentary:
A year ago this week we were Lighting the Tower Orange for our NCAA Men's Tennis Championship, and we spent last week celebrating that tremendous accomplishment. It does make me reflect on how things were and how disappointed we are for our student-athletes who missed their spring seasons due to the health crisis. We all wish we could have cheered them on this semester, but we will cherish our opportunity to be together as a Longhorn Nation again soon. In the meantime, if you haven't seen this wonderful documentary, check it out here. It was produced in a collaboration of our terrific communications and creative services teams, with some of the video being contributed by our friends at Longhorn Network. It is a work of art and will inspire your Longhorn passion, pride and spirit!
Get Back to the Forty Now Includes Plan for Return of Student-Athletes:
Starting last Monday, we put into effect the policies and procedures we established to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, while returning an essential group of about 30 Football coaches and support staff to campus. We successfully implemented and managed our protocols throughout the week and were able to effectively and efficiently carry out its operation with the small group of Football staff members. The first phase trial will run through the end of May and is one we will continue to monitor closely and evaluate thoroughly. It serves greatly in our preparation to move forward with a clear set of policies and procedures we can safely utilize and continue to build upon given the fluid situation.
Progress continued last week with the approval of the next steps in our return to campus. On Wednesday (May 20), the NCAA's Division I Council voted to lift a moratorium on voluntary athletic activities for Division I Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball programs, allowing student-athletes to participate in on-campus workouts starting on June 1. Following that, on Friday (May 22), the Big 12 Board of Directors approved a phase-in plan beginning June 15, at which time Football student-athletes will be permitted to have access to campus athletic facilities and support personnel for voluntary conditioning and training exercises. Volleyball, Soccer and Cross Country student-athletes are able to return July 1. Basketball and all other student-athletes may return to campus for voluntary sport-related activities July 15.
With that information, as well as approval from our campus leaders, Texas Athletics will begin preparing for the return of student-athletes. For several weeks, we have had a Student-Athlete Return to Campus task force hard at work developing policies and procedures to manage that return (beginning with Football). We are finalizing a phase one program to acclimate our student-athletes, which will include physicals, as well as education/training on COVID-19 policies and procedures. The voluntary workouts for Football will be conducted outside at the Denius Practice Complex, and the activity will be closely monitored by our Sports Medicine and Strength & Conditioning staffs in small working groups. The student-athletes will report to the Denius Fields workout area and will not utilize any other on-campus athletics facilities at this time.
We remain optimistic and are continuing to plan for Football this season, and with essential Football staff on campus now and a plan for Football student-athletes in the near future, we are making progress. We are looking forward to putting the wheels in motion and will continue to monitor the situation closely and adapt our plans where necessary for the safe return of all Longhorn student-athletes at the appropriate and prescribed future dates.
Season Ticket Holders, Hope You Enjoyed Our Thank-a-Thon:
I want to give a giant Thank You to our entire Athletics Department staff that teamed up and reached out to the thousands of Longhorn Faithful in our Thank-a-Thon event last week. It was our way of showing our appreciation for the many who have pledged support to Texas Athletics by renewing their Football season tickets. Each staff member made 38 calls, and we combined for 11,485 calls overall. We heard a number of wonderful stories from the visits with so many of our season ticket holders and hope those of you who received calls and messages enjoyed it. We've said it many times before, but it warrants repeating – your investment in our programs is invaluable, we are so grateful for each and every one of you, and we can't wait to see you back on the Forty Acres.
And on that note of gratitude, we thank you all for your passion, commitment and continued support of Texas Athletics. Longhorn Nation, you are the absolute best, and we hope this note finds you well and ready for the future. We continue to see positive steps, brighter days are coming, and with that, we want to send you a loud and proud Texas-Fight!
Stay safe, be healthy and Hook 'Em Horns,
And, P.S., in honor of graduation weekend and the rich history and tradition of our T-Ring, thank you to the Football Creative Team for sharing a look-back at this amazing surprise ring presentation. It featured a pair of Longhorn Legends who you all know very well and aired on LHN's GameDay broadcast a couple years ago. Enjoy!
Video: Texas Athletics coaches celebrate Class of 2020
A total of 83 current and former UT student-athletes are scheduled to participate in virtual commencement exercises this Saturday or are projected spring or summer 2020 graduates.
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A few well-known Longhorns to deliver a special message to the class of 2020
Hook'em Graduates!
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Fan voting for Big 12 Athletes of the Year runs May 22-26
Men's Diving's Jordan Windle and Women's Swimming's Claire Adams are UT's nominees for the 2019-20 awards.
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Video: After the Run
The Champs get back together one year later to share their memories and perspectives of winning the program's first National Championship.
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Ex-Sooner Dionnah Jackson-Durrett ready for her new role as the instructor of Texas' point guards
New assistant coach thinks the Longhorns can win now, but can she first find a new point guard and limit the turnovers?
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Separated by COVID-19, Jhenna Gabriel among the Texas volleyball players getting 'hungrier than ever'
All-Big 12 honoree Jhenna Gabriel has kept sharp by setting a volleyball into a basketball hoop.
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Women's Golf invited to participate in 2020 East Lake Cup
Prestigious event takes place Oct. 26-28 in Atlanta, Ga.
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Recognitions and Honors:
Track and Field collects 18 USTFCCCA All-America honors
Women's Basketball's Collier a nominee for Big 12 Sportsperson of the Year
Adams earns Texas Athletics – CFPF Postgrad Teacher Certification Scholarship
Lauren Case was honored as a Service & Leadership Distinction winner by the College of Natural Sciences
Adams, Gibson named CoSIDA Academic All-District
Men's Swimming and Diving 2020 recruiting class ranked No. 1
INTERVIEWS
Video: Longhorns Lunch Break - Zach Shackelford
Video: Longhorns Lunch Break -- Bianca Turati
Video: Elena Lovato media availability
Video: Longhorns Lunch Break -- Johnnie Harris
Blair Schaefer interview
Austin Todd talks fishing
