Being a student-athlete at the University of Texas consists of much more than just the performances on the court. Texas Women's Basketball players juggle a loaded schedule that includes rigorous academics, a challenging Big 12 Conference slate, practice, strength and conditioning workouts, treatments, study hall, community service, media obligations and more. Longtime Texas Athletics photographer Susan Sigmon traveled with the Longhorns to Waco on Jan. 24-25 to provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like for the student-athletes, coaches and staff on a road trip with Texas Women's Basketball.
On Wednesday, January 24, after a full morning of classes, Texas Women's Basketball players arrived at Denton A. Cooley Pavilion to spend three hours preparing for their upcoming matchup with No. 3 Baylor. The Longhorns participated in film study, a lift in the weight room and a two-hour practice in the Frank Erwin Center before loading the bus for a 5:45 p.m. departure for the trip to Waco.
The team arrived in Waco at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night with lights out at 11 p.m. Many student-athletes spent the evening working on their academic obligations. Pictured below is senior forward Audrey-Ann Caron-Goudreau, a sport management major.
The team had a 9:45 a.m. wakeup call on Thursday morning and ate a light breakfast in the hotel before embarking on the Ferrell Center for shoot around.
The Longhorns arrived at the Ferrell Center for an 11 a.m. shoot around - a one-hour walkthrough of the team's upcoming game against Baylor later that night.
Following shoot around, Coach Karen Aston and several Texas players visited with the broadcasters who would be calling the game for ESPN2 that evening. Below, ESPN's Holly Rowe caught up with Brooke McCarty and Jordan Hosey.
Texas returned to the hotel following shoot around. Student-athletes spent time preparing for the game, studying and resting for the night ahead.
The team's managers spent the afternoon preparing for the upcoming game, including steaming jerseys and warmups, and packing up the equipment in the hotel for the game and the bus ride home. Below, manager Tyffany Khoh readies the team's game warmups.
At 2:30 p.m., the team reunited in a hotel meeting room for pre-game meal, with a selection of salad, pasta, grilled chicken, and more.
The team boarded the bus at 4:30 p.m. to make the short drive to the Ferrell Center for the 6 p.m. tipoff between No. 6 Texas and No. 3 Baylor. Texas players, coaches and staff were greeted by team supporters in the hotel lobby, including Longhorn Foundation member Marian Dozier, pictured below with senior guard Brooke McCarty.
The team arrived at the Ferrell Center approximately 75 minutes before tipoff and participated in on-court warmups with Sports Performance Coach Zack Zillner leading up to game time.
No. 6 Texas fell to No. 3 Baylor 81-56. The Longhorns' three starting guards all scored in double figures, led by Brooke McCarty (16 points), Lashann Higgs (13 points), Ariel Atkins (11 points).
The Longhorns boarded the bus back to Austin following the game. It would be a quick turnaround for Texas, which would face Iowa State less than 48 hours later. Texas bounced back with an 87-55 victory against the Cyclones on Saturday night. The 32-point margin of victory was the largest in series history.
Credits:
Susan Sigmon