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torre

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Posts posted by torre

  1. CDC at Town Hall last night.

    Baseball season is only a few days away. And I am fired up about announcing the Yeti Yard, the newest addition to UFCU Disch-Falk Field.  This area will be located outside the ballpark and is a GA non-ticketed area where fans can enjoy the game. Food and beverage will be available for purchase and fans can also bring their own into this area. More details will come very soon!

    Forty Acres Insider: February 14 - University of Texas Athletics (texassports.com)

  2. 1 hour ago, TrashMaster G said:

    Ok, gotcha. 

    The letter is still confusing. It sounds like it's addressed to someone with tickets in all four Tiers.

     

    31 minutes ago, PantsTent said:

    That's the way I see too.  Tier 3 and 4 I don't think have much seat donation attached so they took them away altogether, and said they can keep Tier 1 and 2 as long as they pay full donation price.  Which implies they are grandfathered in and have had the seats for a decent number of years, but mostly sell them.

    Apparently,  there are many people in this category (likely including ticket brokers) which warranted this policy.   Not just a few which would have been addressed individually.

  3. AUSTIN, Texas – On the heels of Monday's television designation announcement for the 2024 Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational, 29 additional television designations for the Texas Longhorn softball program were announced by ESPN on Wednesday. 

    In addition to appearing on Longhorn Network, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPNU during the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational, No. 8/5 Texas will also appear on SEC Network, ACC Network and ESPN throughout the season. 

    Texas' highly anticipated three-game series against No. 1/1 Oklahoma (Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7) can be seen on ESPNU (Friday), ESPN (Saturday) and Longhorn Network (Sunday) with first pitch times altered to accommodate television windows. The second game of a three-game series between the Longhorns and No. 9/11 Oklahoma State has been elevated to ESPN2, where the two programs can be seen playing at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 29. 

    Fans can also find Texas playing on ESPN2 on Saturday, April 13, when the Longhorns square off against No. 22/19 Baylor at 1:30 p.m. at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin. The series finale of the three-game series between the Longhorns and Bears on Sunday, April 14 will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network at 1 p.m.

    The Longhorns will be featured in the first linear broadcast of the season when Texas and No. 10/8 UCLA square off on ESPN at 8 p.m. CT, marking the first time the two programs have met on a softball diamond since Thursday, June 2, 2022, when UT knocked off the Bruins, 7-2, in the opening round of the NCAA Women's College World Series.

    Non-conference trips to Baton Rouge — to play No. 14/15 LSU on Tuesday, March 12 — and Tallahassee — to play No. 3/4 Florida State on Wednesday, March 20 — for Texas can be see on SEC Network and ACC Network, respectively. 

    Of the 10 top five matchups slated to appear across the ESPN networks, Texas will play in seven, including two contests against No. 3/3 Stanford on Friday, Feb. 16 (ESPN2) and Saturday, Feb. 24 (Longhorn Network). The Longhorns' pair of non-conference games against No. 21/21 Louisiana during the Lone Star State Invitational will also be broadcast on the Longhorn Network. 

    In total, the Longhorn Network will showcase all home games of the Texas Longhorns, totaling 36 games this season.  

    In conjunction with the Big 12 Conference and ESPN+, the streaming platform will feature more than 150 regular season softball games. 

    https://texassports.com/news/2024/1/31/additional-tv-designations-announced-for-no-8-5-softballs-2024-season.aspx

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  4. 3 hours ago, Skipper said:

    What are we setting the over/under for NCAA still governing major college football at?  3.5 years?  Their lack of any guidelines or clarity around NIL (vague policies that are seemingly constantly changing and now in direct conflict with laws of multiple states), combined with now attempting to enforce "policy" at large programs, might be the nail in the coffin.   

    Tennessee Chancellor agrees.     Link 2 is article about States of Tenn and Va filing a lawsuit vs the NCAA.

    “The leaders of intercollegiate athletics owe it to student-athletes and their families to establish clear rules and to act in their best interest," she said. "Instead, two and a half years of vague and contradictory NCAA memos, emails and ‘guidance’ about name, image and likeness (NIL) has created extraordinary chaos that student-athletes and institutions are struggling to navigate. In short, the NCAA is failing.”

    “Regrettably, in this chaotic environment, the NCAA enforcement staff is trying to retroactively apply unclear guidance to punish and make an example of our institution and others,” Plowman said in the email.

    https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/01/30/tennessee-nil-investigation-ncaa-email-donde-plowman-spyre-collective/72283786007/

    https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/state-of-tennessee-sues-ncaa-over-legality-of-nil-guidelines-amid-investigation-into-volunteers/

     

  5.  

    Texas Baseball is set to host its Annual Fan Appreciation Day and Alumni Game on Saturday, February 3 at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

    Admission to the annual Alumni Game is free and parking in East Campus Garage will be complimentary courtesy of Texas Athletics.

    The home plate gate will open at 10:30 a.m. for fans participating in the team autograph session, which will be held inside the J. Dan Brown Player Development Center from 10:30-11:30 a.m.  Season posters and pennants will be provided for autographs courtesy of UFCU. 

    Fans will also be permitted to play catch in the outfield until 11:15 a.m.

    Following autographs, fans can enjoy batting practice by the current team as well as the alumni roster and other former lettermen. 

    Bevo XV will be available for photo ops from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the grassy area along the third base line towards left field. 

    First pitch of the Alumni Game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.  This will be the first opportunity to catch a glimpse of the 2024 Longhorns prior to the season opener on February 16.  The alumni roster will be announced at a later date. 

    Limited concessions will be available, and all concession transactions will be cashless.

    The Longhorns Official Team Shop located behind Home Plate will be open and replica jerseys will be available for purchase.

    GAMEDAY TIMELINE (subject to change)
    10:30 a.m. – Home Plate Gates Open
    10:30-11:30 a.m. – Texas Team Autographs
    10:30-11:15 a.m. – Play catch in the outfield
    11:30-Noon – Lettermen batting practice

    12:30 p.m. – Texas Batting Practice
    1:25 p.m. – Pro Alumni Batting Practice
    1:30-2:30 p.m. – Photo ops with Bevo XV
    2:30 p.m. – First Pitch

    Single-Game Tickets On Sale February 12
    Season Tickets for the 2024 season are sold out!  A limited amount of single-game tickets will be available for purchase for select games beginning Monday, February 12 at 10 a.m. Central.  Tickets can be purchased online at TexasSports.com/tickets. 

    https://texassports.com/news/2024/1/29/baseball-alumni-game-and-fan-appreciation-day-set-for-february-3.aspx

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  6. First official day of practice was Friday.   Pierce quote below.

    May want to check TexasBaseball on X (Twitter) for possible info/photos.

     

    Witt was among the topics of conversation during UT's first media availability of the season Friday. Pierce said that Witt was looking "outstanding."

    "The rough summer was probably a good sign for him and us because it allowed him to take a deep breath," Pierce said. "He and I had a lot of conversations of I'm not pushing you to pitch in the fall until you're ready and so he didn't pitch because he needs to get his body right, moving down the hill right, his arm path. Even a guy like Tanner that you look at, he's struggled with some confidence as well so just building that confidence. He's in a really good spot right now. Still a little below a tick of his (velocity), but I like where he is."

    https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/baseball/2024/01/27/news-and-notes-as-texas-longhorns-prepare-for-2024-baseball-season/72379652007/

     

     

  7. @TommysTinyTowels     Props for always posting the pregame summary.

     

    AAS story on attendance,  not only at Texas but elsewhere.  (lengthy)    

    Excerpts: 

     

    In his postgame press conference, Schaefer described the crowd as "really special." Texas freshman Madison Booker surmised that "we didn't bring it but our fans did."

    While the Longhorns were appreciative of the crowd on Wednesday, those in the Texas ticket office may not have been. For the Red River rumble, Texas announced a crowd of 5,478. That was the seventh-largest crowd of UT's season. Texas has played 12 home games.

    On Thursday, an on-campus group voiced its displeasure with the student section at the Oklahoma game. The Longhorn Hellraisers took to social media to say that "As we faced our rival yesterday, we expected to see the stands filled with supporting students, and we're greatly disappointed. We need to come together to support all of our athletes."

    The Hellraisers then announced that they are working with The Herd, which is an organization that "will support all women's sports, in hopes we can grow attendance in all sports." According to the Daily Texan, The Herd was started by three Texas students as part of a class project.

    "My goal as y'all know is that I don't want my fans to come see who I'm playing against. I want my fans to come see our kids. It shouldn't matter who I'm playing against, y'all. Texas fans should come to see their Texas team play. 

    https://www.statesman.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/womens-basketball/2024/01/27/texas-basketball-coach-vic-schaefer-discusses-home-attendance-numbers/72373832007/

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  8. More on the story.    Note that Latu,  the accomplice, was also permitted to remain and play for Wisconsin.    And that it is reported they pled guilty though the court records are sealed contrary to the statement by deLaura's attorney.   

    Very sad case.    If there is a defense for Texas St, it is they followed the protocol at Wash St, Arizona, and Wisconsin.   It seems deLaura left Arizona because he missed the last 8 games due to ankle injury and the emergence of the 2nd QB Fifita who was P12 Offensive Freshman of Year.   Would be interesting to know how many teams recruited deLaura from the portal.

    (excerpts)

     Last fall UW-Madison officials became aware of the civil suit filed in the matter. Based on the information available to the UW-Madison Office of Legal Affairs and UW Athletics officials, the matter being reported that involved Latu prior to his time as a college student does not violate the UW Athletics Student-Athlete Discipline Policy, university misconduct policies, or reporting or disclosure requirements. Latu remains a member of the Wisconsin football team.”

    The complaint states the girl, an acquaintance of de Laura and other players, attended the championship game at Aloha Stadium with her mom and friend and brought leis to give to some of the players after the game. The court filing, obtained by HawaiiNewsNow, said they were told instead to drive to St. Louis High School. The girl then received a text message from de Laura telling her to meet in the second-floor stairwell of the parking garage area because he needed to talk to her. The girl went to the stairwell while her mom and friend waited in the car.

     

    According to the court records, the girl said Latu was in the stairwell with de Laura, who demanded she “engage in sex with the two of them simultaneously, immediately.” She refused, the complaint said. According to HawaiiNewsNow, the document says the players “physically overpowered her.” 

    She later told her mother, who contacted police. The report described a text message from de Laura in which he admits the two players sexually assaulted her, and he “eventually apologized.”

    Latu and de Laura were “charged and eventually pled guilty” to sex assault 2, the civil complaint says. The document doesn’t provide a date and states that “neither received any jail time pursuant to their guilty pleas.” The players were instead “required to write letters of apology” to the girl.

    https://theathletic.com/4489270/2023/05/04/arizona-qb-jayden-de-laura-wisconsin-db-kamoi-latu-settle-civil-sexual-assault-suit-report/

     

     

     

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  9. 2 hours ago, Js1 said:

    But Goode wasn’t even on the Big 12 preseason team

    IMG_2219.thumb.png.64b4914a85a04b5468f2765e61b6f294.png

    Oh well,  postseason is the one.

    The honorees were chosen by a vote of the league’s head coaches. Players were picked regardless of position and coaches could not vote for their own student-athletes.

    https://big12sports.com/news/2024/1/17/2024-big-12-softball-preseason-team-unveiled.aspx

     

    Look forward to your predicted starting lineup and impact players including newcomers.  Strengths, weaknesses included.   I am expecting Atwood to be all world this year and Martinez as well.

    3 weeks from today.    At this time,  the UCLA and San Diego schedules do not list any TV coverage.   Early though.

  10. 58 minutes ago, Js1 said:

    Not a surprise - Big 12 coaches picked us second, behind OU.  Highest predicted finish since 2021, since we are usually behind OSU. 

    Went to the B12 site to see if any first place votes.    Who do you think voted for us ?    Are coaches permitted to vote for their own team ?

     

    2024 Big 12 Softball Preseason Poll

    School (First Place Votes) Points
    1. Oklahoma (9)          81
    2. Texas (1) 73
    3. Oklahoma State 62
    4. Baylor 59
    5. UCF 48
    6. Texas Tech    35
    7. BYU    28
    8. Kansas 27
    9. Iowa State 20
    10. Houston 17

    Sooners Selected as Favorites in 2024 Big 12 Softball Preseason Poll - Big 12 Conference (big12sports.com)

     

  11. A naive question from someone who does not follow closely (but follows everything Burnt Orange)

     

    Would things be better if Donewald had not left ?     (not in defense of RT)

     

     

  12. https://www.memorialhermann.org/patients-visitors/patient-stories/recovering-traumatic-brain-injury

     

    Vic very nearly lost his 14 year old son in 2010 due to a wakeboarding accident.    Thus his strong faith and comments which may not be apropos at times.

    He attributes his success to his father, who motivated him, pushed him through rehabilitation and kept him optimistic

     

    • Like 2
  13. Excerpts from KXAN article:

     

    Head coach Vic Schaefer understands it’s a tall order to go into K-State’s house and beat them, especially with how they defend. The Wildcats (16-1, 4-0) are second in the country in field goal percentage defense, allowing teams to shoot 31.5% from the field on average. And they’re fifth in the country in scoring defense, allowing just over 51 points per game. Anchored by 6-foot-6 center Ayoka Lee in the paint, the Wildcats’ defense is stout.

    “It’s pretty scary going into Manhattan to play against a team like that,” Schaefer said. “They’ve to great chemistry on that end of the floor, and they’ve got the aircraft carrier inside. If you get off the bounce, there’s 6-foot-6 waiting for you, ready to throw it in the fifth row.”

    To complement their tough interior defense, the Wildcats are also No. 2 in the country in 3-point shooting percentage defense, allowing teams to shoot a measly 22.1% from long distance. Schaefer said his team has to “have a plan” when attempting to put the ball in the bucket because the opportunities won’t come as often as they typically do.

    Earlier in the season, the Wildcats topped Iowa 65-58 and “held” star guard Caitlin Clark to 24 points. Clark shot 9 for 32 including 2 for 16 from 3-point range. At the time, the Hawkeyes were ranked No. 2 in the country.

    From a size perspective, the Longhorns don’t have anyone who can match up with Lee, so running the offense while she’s on the floor will look slightly different. Senior guard Shay Holle said it’s going to take a team effort to slow Lee down.

    “We’ve been focusing on ball pressure a lot in practice, and we’ve got to have help-side defense,” she said. “One person won’t be able to handle all of that, so it’ll be a team effort for sure.”

    https://www.kxan.com/sports/no-10-texas-faces-toughest-defense-of-the-season-against-no-12-kansas-state/

  14. Good conversation above sent me to Google.   Johns Hopkins article on the ACL and female athletes.   Entire article worth a read. 

    Excerpt:

    The structure of the knee joint in women plays a big role in putting them at a higher risk for an ACL tear. Women’s joints — including the knee — generally have more looseness and range of motion than men’s. Women also often have less muscle mass around the knee, contributing to more instability, which can lead to a ligament tear if the ligament gets overstretched.

    Technique differences also play a role. When coming down from a jump, female athletes tend to land in a collapsing pattern, moving their knees inward and often not bending them enough. The combination of these factors makes an ACL tear more likely.

    What can female athletes do to prevent ACL tears?

    Sports injuries are always a possibility, even if you do everything right. But there are steps you can take to minimize risk factors related to your technique, training and lifestyle. The following recommendations are all equally important in preventing ACL tears and other sports injuries:

    Practice good technique. While not a guarantee, proper technique when training and playing a sport can help ward off sports injuries. Work with your coach and/or your sports physical therapist to identify improper form and correct it.

    Avoid working out while overly fatigued. When you’re tired, it’s easier to make mistakes or forget about good technique. Getting enough sleep and stopping a workout before exhaustion sets in help to prevent injury.

    Work to develop muscle groups evenly. Core and extremity strength are equally important. Focusing on one while ignoring the other increases your risk of injury.

    Create a balance between strength and flexibility. Both tight and overstretched muscles are more prone to injury. Working on strength and flexibility in moderation is key.

    Eat a balanced diet. Poor nutrition leads to decreased strength, endurance and attention. Eating well can help improve your focus and performance.

     

    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/acl-injury-or-tear/acl-tears-in-female-athletes-qa-with-a-sports-medicine-expert

     

    • Like 4
  15. Bloomberg/Yahoo article on current status of auto market.

     

    Excerpt:

    Automakers aren’t motivated to cut prices because they’re making more money selling fewer cars. Consumer spending on new vehicles reached a record $578 billion in 2023, its third consecutive year exceeding a half-trillion dollars, according to researcher J.D. Power. Consumers’ average monthly car payment in December was estimated to be $739, up $9 from a year earlier, J.D. Power said.

    While 2023 was a big improvement over an inventory-constrained 2022, the challenges seen at the end of the year are expected to persist. Cox Automotive predicts US auto sales will be up less than 2% in 2024. That means the figure is unlikely to top 17 million in annual vehicle sales anytime soon, as they did for five consecutive years prior to the pandemic.

    Toyota executives say sticker price shock is forcing more car buyers to downsize when they trade-in and some consumers are opting for late model used cars instead of new. Even so, they expect the momentum to build toward 16 million in annualized sales into 2024 as vehicle availability improves and other brands boost incentive spending to spur demand.

    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/car-sales-slow-us-buyers-110000582.html

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