UT

Ian,

I know that you end up being an Aggie, you started as a Longhorn. Mom and I started as Aggies and then became Longhorns. Caylea and Danny - seemed to just start and stick with the burnt orange. 

Your relationship with UT really began in front of a TV watching the 2005 National Championship game. You could often be a "bandwagoner" and were definitely cheering for Reggie Bush and USC. We did not watch a great deal of football over the years - compared with basketball - but this was a game we watch, as usual, with the Mundells. You were in 5th grade - and it was the biggest stage. I chose to root for UT - because it was Texas and not a silver spoon school in SoCal. Kurt was with you and USC - he always has an opinion. Mike and Danny really didn't care - to my memory. The game was - epic. You talked trash about how great Matt Leinart and Reggie were - that UT had no chance. It looked like you were right for much of the game, although UT kept it close. When it seemed USC was destined to win, UT won on the brilliant scramble by Vince Young as time ran out. We all were exhausted by the game. We chattered about the game for days. None of us could guess we would be in Austin in a little more than a year. 

Indeed, we moved into Austin in July 2006. I was thrilled to have a job, and was a big "joineriner" to match your "bandwagoner" self. I remember buying you a UT basketball jersey during one of my visits for the UT job - #10. You were thrilled and wore it proudly with your friends. You researched Longhorn basketball and informed me that the National Player of the Year - TJ Ford was from UT. That was exciting to you for sure. 

UT was introduced first at Memorial Student Center - the Underground and blacklight bowling. That was a favorite pastime - we even did one of your birthday parties in Jr. High there. We crowded 25+ friends around two lanes, then the air hockey tables, etc. We opened gifts and celebrated - some of your friends though it was old hat, but others seemed to have their first deep UT experience at that party. 

We attended some UT home games that first year - before getting season tickets. They were the "wait in line" random tickets. I remember one set we were on the 20 yard line, student side maybe 15 rows from the bottom. How we got those tickets - I will never know. That was Colt McCoy's record setting freshman year. How we loved watching Colt run the Longhorn offense. I remember two things - first, a long pass Colt threw after a turnover - long pass to the wide receiver. He seemed to catch it right in front of us, elude the tackle and score! We high fived and rejoiced. The Horns were running away with the game, so we scooted down to the front of the stadium and saw how BIG the players really were. I was a little intimidated. You wanted to play football. 

On Halloween night in 2006, Danny was in from California - and you were dying to see the Horns basketball team. They had an exhibition game that night. Danny, Caylea and I wanted to walk on 6th Street and see the weird people - Mom was unsure, but you had to see the game. We went - it was a free game and we sat on the first deck - the family behind and you and I up as close as possible. They introduced the UT team, four freshman and a sophomore. I asked you if this was the "B" team and you were quick to tell me that this guy Kevin Durant was rated as the top recruit in the US and chose UT. From that night on - we saw every UT homegame that season watching another UT freshman rewrite the record books - Durant. Your first introduction to Texas A&M was another epic, 3 overtime game, between UT and A&M - actually Durant versus AC Law. Durant and Law poured in shots from 3 point land, exchanging buckets, playing each other on defense, and no one could stop either player. Finally, UT pulled it out in the third overtime. I still remember the good hearted competition between the schools - the Aggie War Hymn, and we ALWAYS stayed to sing the "Eyes of Texas" with the Horns after a game. Football games, we loved walking across campus, after singing the "Eyes" and seeing the Tower lit up orange signifying a win. We never won a National Championship - came close twice with Colt, but always short. Bummer. Watching Alabama play UT was interesting. You really liked Trent Richardson - who won the Heisman. You seemed to root for Alabama - urked me. Early, the game looked to be ours - but Colt was bizarrely hurt and we never could capitalize on turnovers to build up a lead to win. Alas, Alabama was victorious; Richardson was the hero; you made sure I remembered who you predicted would win!

With Jr High activities and High School, time to go to football games, basketball games or other things at UT became more rare. Only once did we go to the Cactus Cafe, but we continued to watch several UT football games each year - you would often invite Jonathan, Jimmy, Max, etc. to go with us. One game, you and Max were going and were wearing random shirts - we stopped at the COOP and bought you both UT shirts - we had to come early, stay late, be loud and wear orange! It was in Jr. High that you went to your first A&M game. You went with Adam Lawson and his father who had season tickets. You were committed to wear UT orange proudly to show off to the Ags. Mom encouraged you to embrace the experience. You DID! It was one of those games that the Ags were blown off the field in the first half, but came back to tie at the end of the game. The overtime victory took two or three periods. So the game was exciting, but the weather was HOT!!! It was something like 105 there - by the end of the game, the few fans remaining, you among them, traveled around the stadium in unison with clouds and shade. Mom and I watched the game on TV - it was hilarious. You came home exhausted, but I could see that the Aggie experience had grabbed you - you were destined to be an Ag from that time forward. 

Much like your sister, UT was viewed as not that special and going off to other schools, Pittsburgh or A&M was much more exciting. But Mr. Farrar gave you a tour and you saw the campus with new eyes and wanted to attend. Bummer they gave you the "go to UTSA freshman year" then apply to UT Austin option. Going to Gateway and having a true freshman experience at A&M was too good to pass up. So almost went to a UT, but alas, no. 

You did take your Senior Pictures and our Family pictures around campus - among other places. poising in front of the church across from campus was not so memorable - the pictures were not as "cool" as we thought they could be - but they were evocative. Indeed, they were perfect as we remembered your heart. The family pictures were such fun - we poised, you clowned, Caylea stressed to go back to class, and you and Danny and Caylea were the perfect trinity of kids - beautiful/handsome, fun, smart and loving. What great memories and pictures to boot. 

You would bring your friends from A&M to see Austin - Mt. Bonnell, Zilker, UT campus to see the Tower and poise for pictures with your Gig 'Em thumbs up. You and Will attended the Thanksgiving game in 2012 - UT versus TCU. It was a BAD UT game, but you cousins had a great time as you showed him around the campus and the stadium. The last significant time at UT was Easter this year - we were at the Erwin Center, where we watched so many games, but the Stone was having the big Easter Service. Mom and Caylea were working with kids, so you, Brenda and I worshiped together. It was a long year - going to get MUCH longer - but worship was a release. You were so honest, so involved - I was inspired. We left and Brenda asked me to take your picture with her looking over the city. We then met at Taco More to prove to Brenda Austin had authentic Mexican food.

I think back and remember the laughs, the smiles, the walks, the sports and life conversations, the bad bowling, the friends, the singing, the great player and games - I mainly remember my son - who went with me to events at UT, who was my friend, my companion, whose presence allowed me to see more and do more. Oh how I wish you stayed home!!! How I wish you were a Longhorn. Maybe you would be reading this with me and we would be joking and laughing. But God had other plans, glorious plans to send you to A&M and you transformed lives showing the Gospel in everything you did there - impacting more lives in one year than I have in seven in Austin. What do I say Ian - I miss you more than words can say, but I am thankful that we shared so much at UT. Seeing the campus, the buildings, the games, reminds me of these times and my tears may fall, but my heart is thankful. 

Love you E,

Dad