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Hero's and Legacies
by Kristina K. 
Hero's…
The saying goes "everything is BIGGER in Texas" and the number of Longhorn athletes making the trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics is LARGE. An unprecedented 18 current or former University of Texas athletes and four coaches have earned a spot on the United States Olympic roster and coaching
squad. An exceptional total of 22 athletes and coaches will proudly represent America, or more specifically, Austin, Texas in Beijing, China. The 18 athletes
exceed the former record number of qualifiers in past Olympic Games. The 2000 Games in Sydney hosted 17 Horns and Texas sent 16 to Seoul in 1988.
The chosen coaches are far from rookies. The University is proud to bid a temporary bon voyage to four of the best. Eddie Reese is the head coach for
men's swimming. Beijing marks the third time Reese has served as head coach of Team USA having previously led the squad in the 1992 Barcelona Games and
the 2004 Athens Games. Second on our list of hero's is Bubba Thornton, head coach of men's track and field. Thornton previously served as an assistant coach
in the 2000 Sydney Games. Gail Goestenkors, assistant coach for women's basketball and former assistant coach for the American team that won the gold
medal in 2004. And making his fourth trip abroad is Matt Scoggin, assistant coach for men's swimming and diving. Scoggin served as an assistant at three former
games: 1988 (Seoul), 1996 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Sydney). So as you watch the multitude of events this year, both small and LARGE, watch
with the incomparable pride that only Longhorn fans can render. Go Team Texas…I mean USA! Legacy…
So were you shocked? Brett Favre isn't really retiring from the NFL. Without saying a word through the off-season, Favre received as much press-time if not
more than some of the most vocal players throughout the season. In a nut-shell, surprise surprise Favre announced last month that he isn't ready to give up the
game. Cheese-heads near and far rejoiced at the thought of having one more year. The collective groan from Vikings fans did not go un-noticed.
The Packers front house basically sent him packing with a "thanks but no thanks" message. Favre then asked to be released from his contract; a request the team has no plans to grant.
I have to say…the fan in me would be mighty disappointed to see Favre in an opponent's jersey. As a die-hard Bronco's fan…seeing John Elway in anything
other than orange and blue would put a hitch in my giddy up. As the drama unfolds, it's going to be a very interesting beginning to the season.
Will the Packers retire his number while he is basking in the colors of another? Will Aaron Rodgers be calling the shots? Or will Favre walk on the field in a sea of
Purple? Be sure to tune in September 8th as the Vikings open their season against the Packers. It is then the legacy will be decided. |
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