UT Football Fans: More than a Group of Individuals

Darell K. Royal Stadium packed with devoted Fans
http://www.texassports.com/facilities/royal-memorial-stadium.html

When defining the University of Texas fans, most would argue the group as a mob of individuals.  Upon further analysis, outsiders realize the 102,000 fans packing Darell K. Royal (DKR) Stadium as more than individuals, but rather a distinct and prevalent subculture amongst the larger University culture.  Previously defined, culture is a set of beliefs, behaviors, traditions, and practices a specific group of people uphold.  Culture displays actions or beliefs that are learned and displays engagements seeming both natural and normal.  Like any other studied culture, the University of Texas is selective and has a common set of beliefs, binding men and women together.  Within the larger culture, is a definite subculture, the football fans.  Through exclusive cultural values and behavioral patterns, this group in united by values, symbols, and shared attitudes distinguishable from the larger culture or society. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvM7zeaONSo&feature=related

The "hook em' horns" Hand Symbol

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/

sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/hookem-horns.html

At the Cotton Bowl, Texas fans pack the stadium, for Texas-Oklahoma weekend.  After a win, University tradition, states all fans stay after the game and in unison with the team, band, and cheerleaders sing the fight song, “The Eyes of Texas.”  In these two minutes, all the hard work by the team is acknowledged with loud fans, in harmony, singing in appreciation.  Each individual holds their “horns” up and supports the beliefs and customs of the University fan culture.  Whether it is an individual’s first game or twentieth season in attendance, each fan becomes aware of “in stadium” customs and realizes the importance of chanting, screaming, and yelling as encouragement for the Longhorns.  We also see a prevalent and common hatred on display, as the fans in the video scream “Give ‘em Hell, Give ‘em Hell, OU Sucks.”  Everyone in the culture disregards acquaintances and concedes to the hatred of OU, as one of Texas’ main rivals.  This video incorporates a common hand symbol, the “horns” of your index and pinky finger and also distinct chants and fight songs, particular to this subculture independently. 

In order to quantify the extremity of your commitment to the University of Texas team, one must look at the actions not only in the stadium or at home watching the game, but elsewhere as well.  Your devotion is said to be on display at all times.  For example, on www.upperdeckblog.com, UT fans claim to bleed burnt orange, have burnt orange as a staple color of their wardrobe, and have even named their pets Bevo.  Participating in any of these actions places you as active member of the University of Texas football fan subculture.   This blog builds upon the previous clip, by defining the colors of the UT fan culture and what is widely accepted as dress code amongst its members.

http://upperdeckblog.com/2011/09/calling-all-texas-longhorns-football-fans-finally-a-trading-card-set-just-for-you/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvM7zeaONSo&feature=related

University of Texas Flag
               
               http://www.campusexplorer.com/colleges/F2762668/Texas/
              Austin/The-University-of-Texas-at-Austin/photos-videos/

Matthew McConaughey, ex-Longhorn, explains what is expected and needed from the fans of the UT football program.  He first recognizes the high expectations and standards, held by the fans, and coming short the previous season.  After a brief introduction, McConaughey sells his pitch, by encouraging the fan culture to come back out, in support, of the team we love.  He claims this can be demonstrated by showing up, wearing our colors, waving our flag, and exhibiting our spirit.  The fan culture is later pronounced to have character, integrity, values, legacy, tradition, and history all of which are on display by the masses, rather than any one individual.  With a previous foundation of particular chants, fight song, colors, and rivals, McConaughey adds the assertion of a distinct team flag, long lasting tradition, and legacy.

The fans proclaim the fourth quarter as “ours.”  No team is permitted to come in and be louder, cause more havoc, or dominate “us”, when confined inside DKR Stadium.  The following video, played in between the third and fourth quarters, declares anyone in the culture is allowed to get his or her Bachelors Degree, Masters, or PhD but everyone must “Get Your Horns Up.”  This takes individuals and bonds them as a unique and uniformed subculture within the confinement of the Austin area, showing the passion and unity amongst these fans.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQNYmdgny2g

The UT fan subculture is an entity in and of itself that functions based on a regulated set of beliefs.  This subculture has its own colors, attire, flag, songs, chants, passion, history, and between quarter motivation linking each member when inside the stadium.  Rejecting the idea of a group of individuals, the UT football fan subculture has proven to be a distinct assembly functioning on its unwritten principles.