Don't say I didn't warn you... Austin Texas is a Burnt Orange Town! I guess it would be like living in Dallas and not liking the Cowboys. If you want to live in Austin it really helps to be a Longhorn Fan. Especially on a day like today. Oh, you didn't know? The Red River Rivalry occurs today. Still don't know what I'm talking about? The University of Texas Longhorns play the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cotton Bowl at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. The game starts in under an hour, and I'm typing as fast as I can!
Austin doesn't have any professional sports teams, so most residents have adopted the Longhorns and joined their fan club even if they didn't attend THE university. I had the privilege of attending UT twice in my life - once as an undergrad, and later as a graduate student. Yes, my blood is burnt orange.
In the mid 1980's, Freddie Akers led the Longhorns, and the games were kind of boring. Three yards and a cloud of dust, three yards and a cloud of dust, three yards and a cloud of dust. Uh oh, fourth down and 1 yard to go. Will we make it? Yes! We had some winning seasons but no real spectacular standout games. But, I'm just a girl and was only a teenager at the time. What do I know about football?
All I really know is that it's exciting to be a fan! Especially on a gorgeous day like today. The sunrise was burnt orange and I know it will be an exciting game. The mild 1980's are long gone, and Mack Brown football reigns in Austin. It's all excitement all the time. Every year, we have stand-out players, Heisman nominees, fired up coaches and supportive fans. The stadium is expanded, the turf renewed, and Austin's population grows even in an economic downturn. That means...more Longhorn fans every year.
Do we have mixed households? You bet! My neighbors are an Aggie-Longhorn couple. My friend from college married an Aggie. I've sold houses to OU-UT families. Many of the local high school kids didn't make it in to UT even though their parents went there. That means a lot of parents here are forced to cheer for Texas Tech instead of their alum. Most of take it all in good stride... Because, when you live in Austin, you have to know that it's a Burnt Orange Town!
Hi Diane,
You are right..the game will be starting soon! Go Horns!!
Diane - Right you are. It would be tough to live in Austin and not be a UT fan.
Dorie - It was great getting a chance to see you yesterday - we even got that closing funded despite the fire drill!
Well, I'm on pins and needles now! What a crazy game today. There is not a single boat on the lake - I wonder why...