Longhorn Morale Boost

Longhorns may be ranked No. 24, but we're all still clueless about future of team

After one of the worst weeks ever for the organization, the smoke is starting to clear for Coach Charlie Strong and the Texas Longhorns.

After dismissing six players over the course of 24 hours — including two players arrested for sexual assault charges — the Austin American-Statesman is now reporting that the team is allowing senior safety Josh Turner to return. After meeting with Strong on Wednesday, Turner will have to adhere to some strict rules in order to keep a roster spot when the season begins on August 30.

And the biggest boost to Longhorn morale came on July 31 with the release of the initial USA Today Amway Coaches Poll for the 2014 season. UT came in at No. 24 in the preseason rankings which polls the nation’s head college football coaches. While the Coaches Poll will have no bearing on rankings in this year’s inaugural College Football Playoff, it’s still a welcome vote of confidence from Strong’s peers.

A No. 24 spot is just another way of saying this team could theoretically be a dark horse for a conference championship — or they will just crash and burn.

But the team isn't out of the woods yet. Three of the opponents Texas will face this year are ranked in the top 10: Oklahoma at No. 3, UCLA at No. 7 and Baylor at No. 10. Along with Kansas State at No. 21, the poll confirms that Texas will be facing stiff competition while simultaneously finding its groove under a brand new coaching staff.

The No. 24 ranking sums up what is the current consensus for the new Texas team — nobody has a clue what’s going to happen. Preseason rankings are always tricky prognostications, but a No. 24 spot is just another way of saying this team could theoretically be a dark horse for a conference championship — or they will just crash and burn.

One of the main problems Texas will have going into the season is personnel. Texas lost backup running backs Joe Bergeron and Jalen Overstreet during last week’s dismissals, putting more pressure on starter Malcolm Brown to carry the team (and avoid injury).

Horns Digest reports that three other players, including junior receiver Daje Johnson, senior offensive tackle Desmond Harrison and junior offensive tackle Kennedy Estelle, are also facing the possibility of suspension for violating team rules if they slip up one more time. The potential loss of these three players would further gut the offense of seasoned linemen, and make life even more difficult for quarterback David Ash.

The biggest hope for Longhorn faithful lies with Strong’s proven track record of spinning gold out of straw. During his tenure at Louisville, Strong found a way to field competitive football teams at a school where basketball was king. He took a team that was 4-8 before he started to 7-6 in his first season. Just two seasons later, Louisville upset Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl.

His impressive track record through four seasons at Louisville likely clinched his job as the Longhorns' new head coach, but it’s unlikely a turnaround will come as quickly at Texas. As the Coaches Poll reflects, he’s now playing in a much tougher conference, and losing valuable starters and backups won’t help secure a bowl game, much less the playoffs.

Being ranked No. 24 by coaches is a confidence booster for fans, but it can also be a bit of a tease, hyping them up with too many grand expectations. Instead, fans and analysts just need to be willing to admit that in regards to the 2014 Texas Longhorns football team, we’re all still pretty clueless.

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News on the Court

Huge pickleball franchise serves up first 2 Austin-area locations

The Picklr/Instagram

This growing chain of indoor courts plans five location in the Austin area.

Austin rings with the rubbery pop of pickleball as it takes over as the 2020s-defining sport. Joining the local fray in fall 2024 is The Picklr, a network of indoor pickleball courts that plans to open five locations across Austin and Round Rock over the next year-and-a-half.

The Utah-headquartered network calls itself North America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, and its living up that reputation by launching its first two Austin-area locations at once: one at Round Rock Crossing (3021-3023 S I-35 Frontage Rd.) and the other in a former Walmart building in West Austin's Four Points neighborhood (8201 N FM 620).

Even though they're indoors, the courts will feature outdoor-style surfacing, and accommodate unlimited league play, tournaments, and open play. Alongside those courts is dedicated practice and warmup space, plus a pro shop, and a space for private events.

Both are large, but the Austin location is much bigger, coming at 39,000 square feet and encapsulating 11 courts. Sharing a small portion of the Austin space is Wired Fitness & Rehab. Round Rock's location fits eight courts in 25,000 square feet.

The Picklr works on a membership basis without tiers — all players have the same level of access. Bookings are also unlimited in frequency, although only one reservation may be held at once. For more organized play, members can participate in skill-based clinics, which take place on a weekly basis, or one-on-one lessons.

“We’re fortunate that Austin is home to one of the best pickleball communities in the country, and it’s had such a positive impact on our lives. That’s why we’re excited to build a club with pro-level resources and help make pickleball more accessible to everyone,” said The Picklr Round Rock owners Jennifer Zanfardino and Chris Gennarelli.

The owners of the West Austin location, David and Karen Hoisington, are multi-generational Austinites who have taken local sports to heart since childhood. They point out the stores leagues tying together the Austin scene. “Being part of a strategic partnership with leaders in the Pickleball sport has been inspiring and a privilege for us. Pickleball Inc., PPA Tour, MLP and Pickleball Central are all set to drive growth and memberships at The Picklr. We are excited to come alongside the awesome Pickleball community in Austin, Texas.”

The Austin-area locations are among 300 new ones being built "over the next few years," housing about 2,500 courts. Online reviews of Picklr vary, often due to shifts in policy as the fast-growing franchise creates its standardized rule set.

New users can sign up for a $10, 30-day trial. Both the West Austin and Round Rock locations will accept applications for founding members, which are just regular members with a permanent discount as thanks for signing up early. A submission form on each page will notify interested players when presales start.

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