Forty Acres Insider: February 10

Chris Del Conte head shot 2025

Longhorn Nation,

First and foremost, THANK YOU to all of you that joined us — and those who tuned in on LHN — for our Annual Town Hall last Wednesday. It's always one of my favorite nights of the year as we share what's happening across Texas Athletics and, just as importantly, hear directly from you. We truly appreciate your time, your thoughtful questions and your unwavering support as we head into the back half of the year and prepare for the fall seasons ahead. The Longhorn Faithful is second to none, and we're forever grateful for your pride, passion and love for the Burnt Orange and White!

LAST WEEK CERTAINLY GAVE Y'ALL PLENTY TO CHEER FOR — and you delivered in a big way, creating an electric environment at Moody Center for some outstanding hoops action. Our No. 4 Women's Basketball team ignited the crowd with a thrilling win over No. 5 LSU on Thursday, then followed it up last night by extending the nation's longest home winning streak to 40 with a victory over No. 18 Kentucky. Men's Basketball also defended our home court with a pair of wins, pushing the group to three straight SEC victories. The momentum carried across the Forty Acres and beyond. No. 1 Softball opened its season in dominant fashion just down the road in San Antonio, winning four of five games, including three over top-25 opponents. Men's Golf turned in a record-setting scoring effort to finish as team runners-up in Hawaii, while Women's Golf earned a second-place finish in California and saw Farrah O'Keefe capture the individual title. Women's Tennis added to the excitement as well, knocking off back to-back top-12 opponents (No. 12 Vanderbilt & No. 7 Duke) on Saturday and Sunday. Thank you, as always, for showing up, showing out and supporting our Longhorns in such an incredible way.

what. a. night. 🤘🥹#HookEm pic.twitter.com/6QzxlrRsvZ
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) February 6, 2026

It's another BIG WEEK AHEAD for our Longhorns. After home wins over No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 5 LSU, and No. 18 Kentucky, Women's Basketball's rugged stretch against top-25 opponents continues. Coach Schaefer and the squad will take their show on the road, traveling to No. 5 Vanderbilt on Thursday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+) before heading to face a top-25 Tennessee team on Sunday (2 p.m. CT/ABC). After a pair of home victories over South Carolina and Ole Miss, Coach Miller and Men's Basketball get a brief break from games before returning to action on the road at Missouri on Saturday (7:30 p.m. CT/ESPN2).

IT'S GOOD TO BE HOME FOR SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL! Coach White and Softball opened the season strong and now welcome fans back for their home-opening weekend at the Bevo Classic, featuring six games from Thursday through Sunday. Baseball also gets its season underway this weekend with a season-opening home series against UC Davis on Friday through Sunday. You can check out LHN's original series Road to Gameday Presented by St. David's Healthcare, the "Baseball is Back" edition to get amped up for first pitch. We look forward to seeing you at Red & Charline McCombs Field and UFCU Disch-Falk Field all weekend long! Men's Tennis will compete at the ITA National Indoor Championships, while Track and Field heads to Fayetteville for the Tyson Invitational. Women's Tennis and Women's Golf are set to compete this week. It's all Longhorns, all the time, my friends!

Horns are on the move this week 🤘#HookEm | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/txPUc5qlrv
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) February 9, 2026

Here's to our THREE LONGHORN SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS in the Seahawks' 29-13 win over the Patriots — Michael Dickson, Quandre Diggs and Byron Murphy II. What a spectacle the game is and how fun it was watching our guy Michael — the best in the business — absolutely boom those punts, including three downed inside the 6-yard line. Byron was relentless and shined as a key cog of the stingy Seahawks' defense, recording two sacks and a fumble recovery on the game's biggest stage. And it was especially cool seeing Quandre earn his ring in his 11th season, serving as a veteran leader who played a key role preparing the team through his work on the practice squad. The three champions mark the second-most ever for our Longhorns in a single Super Bowl, trailing only the four Texas Exes crowned in Super Bowl III (1969) more than 50 years ago. All totaled, a Longhorn great has been crowned Super Bowl Champion a total of 36 times all-time.

Super Bowl Champions!

Congrats to our Seattle Longhorns 🤘 pic.twitter.com/G8ebdokPUd
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) February 9, 2026

And before we get to all the notes and highlights from the Town Hall, let's give one more shoutout to our Wuerffel Trophy winner Michael Taaffe. Talk about what it means to be a Longhorn — WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD. This is a must-watch moment featuring Michael, who represents everything great about a Texas student-athlete. Such a well-deserved honor, my friend!

Watch the full Town Hall on demand on LHN!
If you haven't had the opportunity yet, I encourage you to watch this year's Town Hall on LHN for FREE. Don't forget, you can download the LHN app on your phone and stream the program on any Smart TV, just like your favorite streaming services. In this year's presentation, I walked through progress and plans on several major facility initiatives, including the Indoor Football Facility, the RFP (Request for Proposal) we have out for our new Volleyball arena and Texas Athletics student-athlete dorm, McCombs Field, upgrades to UFCU Disch-Falk Field, and more. I also share a look at what's ahead for Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, with enhancements coming to Bellmont Hall, The Fringe, premium seating areas, the press box, television broadcast location, and our overall gameday production spaces.

You'll also hear how our exceptional Business Office helped navigate a challenging financial landscape this past year, particularly as we began competing in the Southeastern Conference earlier than expected. I outline the steps we're taking to remain fiscally sound moving forward, including fully funding scholarships and continuing to adjust to the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness environment. And as always, I wrapped things up by taking your questions, covering a wide range of topics and sharing candid thoughts on many of the things I know you are curious about.

Football Fan Day set for April 18!
We can't wait to welcome Longhorn Nation back to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for FOOTBALL FAN DAY on Saturday, April 18. Coach Sark and our team will wrap up their final practice of the spring inside the stadium, and we'll have plenty of fan activities surrounding it. We'll be sharing more details as we get closer but be sure to mark your calendars now. From team autographs and the annual Team Shop Fire Sale to photo opportunities with Bevo and Smokey, plus appearances by Texas Cheer, Texas Pom, and Hook 'Em, it's shaping up to be an action-packed celebration on the Forty Acres.

🚨 Mark your calendars 🚨

The Texas Football Fan Day is set for April 18th! More details to come 🤘 pic.twitter.com/q73w1NQvMD
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) February 5, 2026

Nothing Less Than Legendary! Renew your 2026 Football season tickets TODAY!
In conjunction with last week's Town Hall, we officially launched our 2026 Texas Football season ticket renewal campaign, and it's Nothing Less Than Legendary. I can't thank our incredible Longhorn Foundation donors and season ticket holders enough for continuing to invest in Texas Football and choosing to spend your discretionary income with us. That commitment continues to show, as demand remains at an all-time high and season tickets once again sold out this past year.

This season also marks the first year of the new nine-game Southeastern Conference schedule, which guarantees four SEC home games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium each season, in addition to our annual Allstate Red River Rivalry matchup with Oklahoma in Dallas. With the addition of a seventh home game against Ohio State this year, season ticket prices have increased by approximately 7% per seat. I want our loyal fans to know that we don't take this lightly. We understand that any increase is difficult, and following this adjustment, we are committing to a three-year pricing freeze on season ticket price increases through the 2028 football season. This year's change, paired with a disciplined and thoughtful budgeting approach, positions us to meet our ambitious goals and navigate the evolving financial landscape of intercollegiate athletics.

And if you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check out our Nothing Less Than Legendary launch video, narrated by the one-and-only Glen Powell. It's a must-watch!

Nothing Less Than Legendary ahead for @TexasFootball 🤘🏟️#HookEm pic.twitter.com/9WhsB2ebj9
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) February 5, 2026

We'll continue to invest in enhancing the Texas Football gameday experience, from our signature pregame destinations like Bevo Blvd presented by H-E-B, Longhorn City Limits presented by Hollister, Smokey's Midway presented by Conecuh Sausage, Hook 'Em Hangout, and Big Bertha's Bazaar, to all the extra touches inside the stadium that make Saturdays on the Forty Acres so special. The 2026 season kicks off September 5 with non-conference matchups against Texas State, Ohio State, and UTSA, before SEC opponents Florida, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Arkansas make their way to DKR for what promises to be an unforgettable fall in Austin. And as a reminder, fans can either pay for season tickets in full at the time of renewal or take advantage of our convenient payment plan, with 25% installments due at renewal and again on May 4, June 4, and July 6, respectively. Your continued support means the world to us, and we truly can't thank you enough. Season ticket holders can log in to their account and renew today. THE DEADLINE TO RENEW IS THURSDAY, MARCH 5.

For those who are renewing their season tickets, here are some key points:
• While the total cost of season tickets has increased by approximately 7%, seat-related gifts, if applicable, remain the same.
• Longhorn Foundation donors should review the 2026-27 Benefits Chart for a full breakdown of benefits at every membership level.
• Requests for tickets to the Allstate Red River Rivalry game versus Oklahoma game and away games for Longhorn Foundation members at designated levels will begin in April with a deadline of June 1. The price per ticket for the OU game is $250 and similar to season ticket prices, Allstate Red River Rivalry ticket prices will be frozen through the 2028 season.
• All fans who renew their season tickets will have the opportunity to participate in the Online Season Ticket Selection and Parking Process in late April/May.
• When you renew your season tickets, you can also purchase seatbacks for your seats at the same time. These prices have not gone up.
• Renewing season ticket holders will be able to download their season tickets and season parking (if applicable) in late July.

Interested in 2026 season tickets? Join the waitlist TODAY!
As of today, we have over 13,000 fans who have joined the 2026 Texas Football season ticket waitlist. If you are interested in joining us as a season ticket holder this fall, please join the Season Ticket Waitlist TODAY! It doesn't cost anything to join, but in order to come off the waitlist and have the opportunity to purchase season tickets later this spring, you must be a 2026 Longhorn Foundation donor by Thursday, March 5.

Men's Basketball runs winning streak to three with pair of home victories
Last week saw a pair of SEC home games in The Mood come down to the final four minutes, and Longhorn Nation, you rose to the occasion and simply willed our guys to two important conference wins. Last Tuesday against South Carolina, the Gamecocks pulled to within 70-68 with 3:23 remaining before Texas Fight went on full display as Coach Miller's group sealed the 84-75 victory with a 12-3 run down the stretch. Mr. Do-It-All Dailyn Swain recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Tramon Mark (or T-Mark as we call him) stepped up late scoring 15 of his 18 points in the second half. Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, and Moody Center was jumpin' from the tip. Our guys stormed out to a 29-11 lead early, before Ole Miss clawed its way back and took a 68-65 lead with 3:35 left. But once again, the Horns dug deep and found a way. J-Pope knocked down a four-point play that got you out of your seats, Mr. Swain converted an and-one, and my guy Sim Wilcher put the nail in the coffin with a dagger three as our Horns closed the game in style on a 14-0 run to earn the 79-68 win. And I've got to give some flowers to the big guy in the middle — Just-Call-Me-Matas (or Big V if you prefer) — who was on a different level with a game-high 27 points while hitting 9-of-10 field goals and 9-of-12 free throws. The end result of Saturday's victory was, as Coach Miller likes to call it, an SEC KILL – which is THREE league wins in a row and the first time our program has achieved the feat since joining the league last year. Coach Miller said it best after the game, "down the stretch, our crowd helped us win this game." Now the guys get a much-deserved mid-week bye before heading out to Missouri for a Saturday night game (7:30 p.m. CT/ESPN2) in Columbia. Let's get those Horns up and keep the momentum going!

Horns win. 🤘#HookEm | #AlwaysCompete pic.twitter.com/tDvhLpt3B5
— Texas Men's Basketball (@TexasMBB) February 8, 2026

Women's Basketball continues to take down ranked opponents!
How much fun are you having watching Coach Schaefer and our No. 4 Women's Basketball team?! They are SIMPLY EN FUEGO and rolling along at 23-2 overall and 8-2 in SEC play. Last Thursday, Moody Center was THE place to be, as the pride and passion of Longhorn Nation was on full display to help our ladies earn a big-time 77-64 win over No. 5 LSU. Mid-Range Maddie Booker led the team with 18 points, and emerging freshman sensation Aaliyah Crump added 16 points. But there's no question that the STAR OF STARS in the victory was the best point guard in the nation, Rori Harmon — who is rewriting the Texas record book. Not only did Rori register SIX steals to set the Texas program record for career steals (she also is our record holder in career assists), Rori also scored 11 points and surpassed the 1,500-point mark in her fantastic career that is far from done. The scene on the court after the game when Coach Schaefer grabbed the mic to congratulate Rori and thank the crowd was priceless, and I echo Rori's statement that "Everything is possible with Longhorn Nation!" Then it was right back to work for last night's game against another top-20 opponent (make that three straight top-20 foes dating back to No. 10 Oklahoma) in No. 18 Kentucky. Justice Carlton came up huge with 17 points, including a massive three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, Jordan Lee added 13 points, and the relentless Longhorn DEFENSIVE stampede held the Wildcats to 12 points in the final quarter of a 64-53 victory. The SEC gauntlet continues for Coach Schaefer's group, as the Horns hit the road for a pair of crucial contests this week. First up is a top-five showdown at No. 5 Vanderbilt on Thursday (6:30 p.m. CT/SEC Network+), before our ladies head to Knoxville for a battle at No. 22 Tennessee on Sunday (2 p.m. CT/ABC). This team's really heating up, an absolute joy to watch — and we're grateful to have Longhorn Nation behind us every step of the way!

4️⃣0️⃣ STRAIGHT GAMES won in Moody Center - we couldn't do it without y'all, Longhorn Nation 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/uSe8d1SAiN
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) February 10, 2026

Softball's Reese Atwood tabbed SEC and National Player of the Week
Our defending National Champion Softball squad is off and running in 2026 and the sensational National Player of the Year candidate Reese Atwood is starting right where she left off. After a phenomenal opening five games in San Antonio last week, Reese earned both the SEC and D1Softball National Player of the Week honors. Talk about tattooing the ball at the plate, our All-American was straight-up teeing off with three home runs, 10 RBI, eight hits, seven runs scored and a .500 batting average to open the season. She's in a zone and just getting started folks — now we'll get to see it right here at home this week. We'll see you at McCombs Field!

THE National Player of the Week 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/tIHlc69afj
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) February 10, 2026

Longhorn Legend Chris Gilbert passes way
We lost a true Longhorn Legend, one of the greatest running backs in our program's history, and an incredible man with the passing of Chris Gilbert on Monday. A College Football Hall of Famer and member of the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, he was the first player in college football history to rush for 1,000 yards in three-straight seasons (1966-68) and still ranks sixth on our all-time rushing list (3,231 yards). Chris was best known for being a key cog that launched Darrell Royal's Wishbone Offense in 1968. He is dearly missed but leaves an extraordinary legacy and will never be forgotten. We send our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to his family, friends, and Longhorn teammates.

Hook 'Em Horns,

Chris Del Conte

P.S. — Rori is re-writing the record book!

take a bow, @roriiiharmonnn 🤘👑#HookEm pic.twitter.com/1F90PYMVoE
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) February 6, 2026

P.S. — This is the incredible What it Means to be a Longhorn image I referenced at the Town Hall!

A photo is worth a thousand words🤘🏽 pic.twitter.com/7NnDNmIeGt
— Chris Del Conte (@_delconte) February 5, 2026

P.S. — We see ya fellas, thanks for supporting Coach Schaefer and the squad!

thanks for coming out, boys 🤘#HookEm pic.twitter.com/8UKk0CdgAT
— Texas Women's Basketball (@TexasWBB) February 6, 2026

P.S. — What Starts Here — historical success for our guy Bijan!

Unmatched, @Bijan5Robinson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UAlNRbIz3t
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) February 6, 2026

P.S. — What Starts Here Pt. II — what a rookie year for our guy Jahdae!

My guy!! ATX legend! Love you bro!! @Officia1dae pic.twitter.com/ovjC0v8ZOQ
— Blake Gideon (@Coach_Gideon) February 9, 2026

P.S. — Love This, Team Texas!

can Cari Spears beat Marcus Spears' 40 time?? Coach Flo thinks so 🙂‍↕️🤘#HookEm | @LiveHumann pic.twitter.com/fDk81BPZgn
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) February 6, 2026

P.S. — A Tourney Title for Farrah, Congrats!