Women's Basketball to hold open practices Oct. 14 and Oct. 21
AUSTIN, Texas -- As the official practice season of the 2007-08 basketball season opens this weekend, The University of Texas women's basketball fans are invited to attend two preseason open practice sessions, both of which will take place on consecutive Sundays at the Frank Erwin Center on the UT campus. Official NCAA basketball practices begin at 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 12. At that time, the nationally-ranked Longhorns, under first-year head coach Gail Goestenkors, will hold a closed practice at the Erwin Center. Goestenkors and the Longhorns will hold two open-free-to-the-public practice sessions over the next two weeks: on Sunday, Oct. 14 and again on Sunday, Oct. 21. Both of these practices take place at the Frank Erwin Center. These Sunday practices begin at 3:30 p.m. CT and will run approximately two hours. Following the Sunday, Oct. 21 open practice, fans are invited to stay for an informal autograph session with the UT coaches and players. Team posters, schedule cards and schedule card magnets will be available for free. Per University of Texas athletics department policy, fans will be limited to two autographed items per person. All other preseason practices at this point are closed to the general public. "As I've traveled around Austin and around the state these last few months, I sense the excitement and energy about our program and I know that our fans are anxious to see the team in action," noted Goestenkors. "For this reason, we want to make sure that we can best accommodate those interested fans who want to get an early look at the team. By holding preseason open practices at the Erwin Center -- where we have plenty of seating -- and by holding them on Sunday afternoons, we believe we can accommodate as many fans as possible. We look forward to meeting with everyone at our autograph session following the Oct. 21 practice." The Longhorns, 18-14 a year ago, have gained Top 25 recognition in several preseason publications. UT is ranked 16th (by both Athlon Sports and Women's Basketball Magazine) and 20th (by Lindy's Preseason Annual). Texas Basketball season tickets currently are available for purchase the following ways: via TexasBoxOffice.com; at the Bellmont Hall Athletics Ticket Office (Monday-Friday 9 a.m-4 p.m.) and the Frank Erwin Center Box Office (Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; gameday one hour prior to tipoff); at Austin area H-E-B stores; and by calling the UT Athletics Ticket Office Phone (512-471-3333 or 800-982-BEVO) or Texas Box Office charge-by-phone (512-477-6060). Additionally, two five-game mini plan ticket packages also are available ($60 per package), with arena-level seating. The "Orange Package" consists of games against Iowa State (Jan. 16), Oklahoma State (Jan. 23), Oklahoma (Feb. 3), Baylor (Feb. 13) and Texas A&M (Feb. 24), while the "Weekend White Package" consists of games with Louisiana-Lafayette (Dec. 16), Kansas State (Jan. 13), Missouri (Jan. 26), Oklahoma (Feb. 3) and Texas A&M (Feb. 24). Mini Plans are only available for purchase by calling the UT Athletics Events, Sales and Services office at 512-232-3865. These packages are not available for purchase at any Texas Box Office outlet. IMPORTANT NOTE TO FANS ATTENDING THE OPEN PRACTICES ON SUNDAY, OCT. 14 and SUNDAY, OCT. 21 Open Practice Dates and Times: Open Practice Parking: Fans may park in Lot 108, adjacent to the Erwin Center, for open practice parking. Note: This free parking is available because there are no restrictions on Lot 108 on Sundays. All other times (Monday-Saturday), a pass must be displayed to park there. Erwin Center Access for fans coming to open practices: There is only ONE ENTRANCE for fans attending Erwin Center practices in 2007-08 -- the Red River (main glass door entrance). Fans will not be allowed access to the Erwin Center from any other point in the building. The Red River entrance will be staffed by UT personnel on both Sundays to allow admittance to the facility.
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