Ringing the carillon - Campus Report (by: Kylie Hopkins)

[HornSports Staff]

Let me preface this week’s column by telling you that I have a small vendetta against West Virginia. After I was hit in the face with a Mountaineer woman’s purse, I’ve found it difficult to rebuild the burned bridge. I am one to hold a grudge.

Imagine my excitement when the Longhorns took the field this week. I was ready. Obviously, so were the boys. It finally seemed like we were clicking. The team finally answered the question of “when will the work pay off?” If this past weekend was any indication, we should all be thanking Charlie Strong.

Strong has patience that could make a monk jealous. He came into a team that he didn’t select, with boys that he didn’t approve of; and, with little other than respect, Strong is producing a team that should make all Longhorn fans proud – a team of men. Men who finally, after a season of struggle, started playing with a togetherness that reminds me of the Spurs.

Fundamental playing works. Going back to basics brought the team to darkness and back again, led by a leader that is proving over and over that flash doesn’t get your team a championship; that special treatment doesn’t make champions; and that the only way we’re going to rise to the top is through hard work and by putting in the hours.

Matt Cotcher made a great point to me today. I was having a bit of writer’s block (senioritis is real, let me tell you) and he mentioned that Oklahoma State is the Texas A&M of Oklahoma. I agree, in several respects.

Oklahoma State has “good” years. They play pretty good football. People tend to either love them or hate them. All of these are qualities that Texas A&M shares with Oklahoma State.

So, because of this, they’re not only having good years, but ESPN and the polls over-inflate both the Cowboys and Aggies. Not unreasonably, because A&M has had some great years recently.

Oklahoma State is the Texas A&M of Oklahoma, but we don’t have a rivalry with them. We don’t have a torrid, long-winded relationship with the Cowboys. That being said, this week will require us to believe that we do. We need to treat every opposing team as if they are our biggest competition. That mindset helped the team beat West Virginia, and will take us further.

Making news on campus is that the volleyball team is sweeping their way to the NCAA playoffs. With a squad that is comprised of some of the best players in college volleyball, we are making a beeline for the championship. People are taking notice.

The Longhorns signed three players recently that were rated among the top 11 recruits in the nation. The team is gunning for number one, and isn’t slowing down to get there. If anyone wants to send me to the finals to cover it, I won’t complain.

Basketball is right around the corner, and you’ll be seeing me at most (if not all) of the home games this year. We, as students, are supposed to be the backbone of the support group. Basketball games at UT are mostly barren, but hopefully we change that this year. I am perfectly fine with leading that movement. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

I guess I can cross one thing off my bucket list.  B)

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Good stuff. Tell us more about the purse to the face incident, please.

 

[Worster1]

Good post. 

Point of reference:  Okla State was established as Okla A&M - their mascot was Aggies.  That name remained until sometimes in the late 1950's when they changed it to Okla State u. and they become the Cowboys (aka 'Pokes).  Many of us still remember their A&M name and refer to them with affection as okla aggie.   

Do not confuse okla aggie with Texas a&m aggy.

Nonetheless - beat the hell outta okie state!!

Hook 'Em!

 

[dillohorn]

Do WVU fans burn purses too?