Countdown to the Women's Basketball season: In the national spotlight
AUSTIN, Texas -- There are numerous traditions associated with University of Texas Athletics - Bevo ... "Hook 'Em Horns" hand signal ... the UT Tower lit orange and white in celebration of victories ... the color burnt orange ... tremendous fan support ... academic and athletic excellence which go hand in hand ... and national awareness and exposure of Longhorns Athletics. For the Texas women's basketball program, national and regional TV coverage is part of the program's legendary status. In the past nine years, Jody Conradt's team has appeared on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FOX Sports Net (FSN), FSN Southwest and CSTV (College Sports Television) and regional television throughout the nation a total of 142 times - for an average of 16 TV broadcasts a year (counting regular season and postseason games). In 2005-06, Texas is scheduled to make 15 regular-season appearances on national or regional television. This includes three games on ESPN2, five on FSN, three on CSTV, one on ESPNUand three on FSNSW. And, there's more! This year, UT Athletics is unveiling there an exciting Internet video feature () which will bring fans action and behind-the-scenes press conference coverage of the majority of Longhorns games. "One of the special elements of our program is the national TV coverage we receive in the regular season," noted Conradt. "We are proud that our program is showcased across the nation to millions of fans each month of the college basketball season. It is incredibly important for the growth of our sport to have the type of television coverage that we have." Closer to home, the national exposure from UT's TV appearances benefits the university as a whole. "For our program, it is important that our Texas Exes, families of our players, recruits and fans across the country get to watch our up-tempo style of play. When we play at home, our university and Erwin Center also also are showcased as well. People see our campus, hear about our great academic and athletic programs, and witness the Erwin Center excitement. For the growth of our sport and to challenge our Texas players, each year we embrace a schedule which features us going head-to-head with the best programs in the country on TV," Conradt continued. Among the giants on this year's schedule who Texas will face on national TV are Duke, Connecticut and Tennessee as non-conference opponents, and Big 12 rivals Texas Tech and Baylor. Tennessee (Dec. 1), UConn (Feb. 12) and Texas Tech (Feb. 26 in Austin) battle the Longhorns on ESPN2, while the Duke game (Dec. 4)and the two contests with Baylor (Jan. 7 in Waco, March 1 in Austin) will be on FSN among other games. Additionally, the Texas-Texas Tech game in Lubbock on February 1st will air on ESPNU. "Throughout the recruiting process, I was able to watch a lot of Texas games on TV back in California," noted California-native and freshman guard Erika Arriaran, the Parade Magazine and State Farm/WBCA National High School Player of the Year who starred at Norco HS. "In addition to the academic excellence here, the Longhorn basketball players before me are recognized as classy, respectable women. You see that in how they play and carry themselves. It is something I admire. I also love the dedication and support the families and fans have for our program - you can see that in person and by watching the games on TV." To follow Texas Basketball on TV all season long, go to www.TexasSports.com and click on the front-page "" link. For fans unable to be at the Erwin Center or unable to go on the road to catch the Longhorns in action, there is a new exciting internet video feature called . This is a brand-new multimedia experience created just for Texas Longhorns fans! This is an opportunity to watch exclusive interviews, live action of select UT Athletics events, classic games and more all on your computer. Subscribers also will have: access to delayed replays of Texas Basketball contests; preseason games and select live games (TBD due to conference television packages); and exclusive postgame press conferences.
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