OUt the door, so no time to share how I became a fan but I guess saying the site’s author is my brother, growing up in Austin, and having two parents who taught there for 30+ years was my reason. Didn’t go to school here though, but still follow them like I do.

I became a Longhorn by birth. Where I grew up you were either a Longhorn or an Aggie and that was that.

I’ve always found the sociology of fandom fascinating, to say the least. I’m an Austin product through and through, raised a Horns fan, and while I made the decision to attend school elsewhere and receive a transfusion in full to that team’s colored blood, the Horns are like a first love I still keep in touch with, still share an indelible connection with, and visit every time I’m in town.

Happy to have you, thank you for your service. Similar story to my brother in law who is now a UT fan. Apparently over the top OU fans drive them in droves to join us.

September 13, 1997.
Odd day to fall in love with a team. While everyone laughed at the Horns, I promised myself I never would.

Thank you for your service.

This is a good read.
I grew up in austin and always loved the horns but I became a “true” longhorn because of one play

Thanks for your service. Sounds like you’ll be attending UT, next spring – I wish you all the best. What are you going to study?

I grew up in Ohio but decided to attend UT. I’d never been to Austin until it was time for freshman orientation. My fanship began on campus.

Thanks for the introduction…

I always enjoy hearing how people became fans. Glad to have you join us.

Grew up more of an NFL fan, watched some CFB but really rooted more for the players (such as Major, and, blasphemy, but also Dat Nguyen) but went to UT, so naturally drifted more to the Burnt Orange. The Tech game with the Chance Mock comeback hooked me, and Vince sold me for life.

Welcome.

Just had to throw that in there since i am former navy (5 years), but thanks for your service man! My fan story is interesting. When i was in the 4th grade my uncle, who was attending UT at the time, bought me one of those fancy Apex Longhorn jackets for me for Christmas. The first day of school back this kid, who was bigger than me, came up and purposely spilled his drink on my jacket and said “Boomer Sooner, longhorns suck!” (which since my mother lived in the Sherman area near the Red River i had to put up with a bunch of the Boomers unlike most of you who had to tangle with the Faggies, but luckily my Father lived in Austin!) Without even thinking i punched him right in the nose. Fast forward to my first longhorns game which just also happened to be the infamous Cole Pittman dedication game which is where my blood lost any red color and turned burnt orange!

I think its great & commend you on your choice. I was a bleeding burnt orange fan forever, and I’m closing in on my graduation – a proud moment for me. I’ve seen highest of high moments and lowest of lows with the sports program. My first game, watched on Dec. 6, 1969. Moved from El Paso to Titusville, Fla the previous year. Kids there made fun of my accent, crew-cut, straight-legged pants and baloney sandwiches. Except for watching the man walk on the moon the summer before, and particularly this game, I hated it there. Been a fan ever since.

I moved to Austin about four years ago to begin graduate school. Previously I had been living in Nashville (watched the Titans only from time to time), and Portland (no football), so I wasn’t what you’d consider a big football fan, but I liked the sport.

When I moved to Austin, I naturally wanted to start watching games, since I was an excited new Longhorn student. I remember my first fall here, when a friend of mine invited me to my first game (after weeks of watching only on TV). She said, “keep your eye on that kid, #10, people think he’s about to break out and become something really special.” I’m lucky that I started school here just in time to watch that drama unfold!

Anyway, I’m a definite orangeblood now—never miss a game, whether it’s at home, at the Tavern or Billy’s, or occasionally, at DKR. I finally got my Master’s, too. :)

Hook ‘em.

i became a longhorn fan because of the boy scouts. the first game i attended was the TCU game in 1967 (we lost) but boy scouts back then rented the seatbacks before the games and we got to stay for the game for free. 1 game and i was hooked. i bet many can tell this same story. so thanks to the university for letting the boy scouts participate at the home games and most becoming life-long die-hard longhorn fans. we moved to austin in 65 so i went to anderson high when it was brand new and then 1975-79 at UT so i went to most all home games all those years, then took a job in dallas and always went back to austin for football. what a great football legacy. THANKS to all that made this possible!!

a few years back… 93 or 94… I live in Oklahoma and got sick of the hoorah about the sooners.(SUCK)... Once I started keeping up with Texas athletics, I was (pun intended) ‘HOOKED. UT sports are classy, the fans are great, and the atmosphere around here is awesome!!! I somehow became a UT sports fanatic. Michael Griffin is my absolute favorite FB player and Justin Mason my BB hero. Glad to meet ya!! and don’t hold it against me that I live in oklahoma.. You know you got it bad when you drive an hour and half to OKC to the mall and the guy in the sports store knows you by name and orders special UT stuff just for you. :)

but will be moving back to Texas this summer to continue my higher education. I’ve been a Horns fan for as long as I can remember but coming out here has really made my love for UT grow substantially. In a place where everyone is either a U of U or BYU fan, it’s neat to see Texas gear everywhere! Heck, my grandpa took me to a BYU football game this past season and I elected to proudly wear my burnt orange Longhorn hoodie. It was amazing how many comments the sweater drew, I had people constantly walking by and yelling “hook em’ horns!” in a place where everyone bleeds cougar blue! Coming out here has only made me realize how great my love is for the state of Texas and its flagship university (and how much we kick everyone else’s asses). Needless to say, I’m pumped about moving back and ready to see what the boys do in the upcoming season.