UT Diversity Would Be Home-Field Advantage

Could an African-American head football coach finally be coming to UT?

As far as everyone but Mack Brown is concerned, this weekend could very well be the last time he treks up to Dallas for the Red River Rivalry. In fact, the same week they wrote a piece about the decline and fall of the University of Texas athletics program, Sports Illustrated is back with a piece naming the top five potential replacements for Brown. And he hasn't even lost the OU game yet!

The list is certainly interesting (and the addition of Oklahoma's Bob Stoops is sure to raise some eyebrows), but aside from potential candidates, the list highlights something else entirely.

3. Charlie Strong, Louisville. His SEC pedigree and his ability to bring toughness to the program would be ideal. (The Longhorns could afford his $5 million buyout, too). Still, Texas has never had an African-American head coach in a men's sport.

We all know there has never been an African-American head coach of football or basketball, but UT athletics has seven men's sports programs (not counting dozens of recreational sports teams), none of which has had a coach of color in the entire 63-year history of integration? Yup. In fact, UT's first African-American head coach ever arrived barely a decade ago, when Bev Kearney was asked to head the women's track program (she resigned after allegedly having an affair with a student).

It's not just Longhorns fans who need an African-American head football coach; it's Austin in general. While our city has seen astronomical growth in technology and tourism over the past decade, we are, at our burnt orange heart, a college town. With African-Americans leaving Austin's urban core at alarming rates (there are 27 percent fewer African-Americans living in Central East Austin today than in 2000), the time has come to commit to diversity, and there is no better place to start than on our hometown football field.

Our quality of life depends on diversity. Hiring men and women of color not only means a better reputation for UT, but is a critical to remaining an attractive, viable option for companies looking at Austin as a place to do business, visit, invest money and allow us the luxury of living in a dynamic, socially progressive city.

While the discussion of diversity in athletics has been happening for some time, it's refreshing to know that there is a real shot at bringing some color to UT's sidelines. And who knows, maybe we'll even win a game or two.

Could UT's sidelines use some color?

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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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