The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
04.07.2022 | Football, Men's Tennis
Last week Football’s Bijan Robinson made a surprise visit to Men’s Tennis practice, one of many examples of Longhorn student-athletes supporting each other across teams.
By Emily Schumacher, Texas Media Relations
Bijan Robinson swapped sports with the Texas Men's Tennis team last Thursday. The Texas running back surprised the team during their practice at the Texas Tennis Center. The players were notified of a surprise visitor in the building, but no one expected Robinson to run onto the court.
The football player stood in the center of a swaying huddle leading the tennis players in chants. "Hurrah, hurrah, who are we?" yelled Robinson. The athletes screamed back "Texas!"
The friendly competition heated up as junior Chih Chi Huang served the ball to Robinson, laughingly trying to hit it at a speed where Robinson could have a chance, but not light enough for the running back to doubt his skill.
Huang acknowledged how opportunities like this display a strong sense of community at 
Texas. Athletes compete in different sports, but all play to represent the same Texas Longhorns. The players have pride in every single Texas sport.
"To take the time out of his day and come here and acknowledge us like he did, it's really cool," Huang said. "It's a great family we have with all the teams."
Robinson endeavors to attend every Texas sporting event he can. One can always find a familiar Texas athlete cheering in the stands at home games. The support within UT sports is exceptionally high.
"It's one of the reasons I really enjoy coaching at Texas, because it's such a team environment," said head coach Bruce Berque. "All the coaches and all the players in different sports support each other, and it makes it one of the really special things about being a Longhorn."
On the court, Robinson continued to put his tennis skills to the test. He was most fascinated about trying to hit a ball flying around 100 mph. The tennis team also tried their hand at football drills.
"It's a pretty awesome experience to support the guys and use the platform we all have to build each other up as a program," said Robinson. "I hope Texas [fans] react in a super positive way, I think they will bring that energy we're trying to do for this shoot."
The tennis team confirmed the football player is as amiable and playful as he seems. Just as promised, Robinson and teammates DeMarvion Overshown, Keondre Coburn and Devin Richardson attended Friday's match against Baylor in a packed Texas Tennis Center they helped to fill. Texas Football brought the energy and cheered on their Longhorns comrades from the stands, just like the tennis players do at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in the fall.
— Texas Men's Tennis (@TexasMTN) March 31, 2022
