Hear me out

The Few, the Proud, the Longhorn Network viewers: A critique from someone whoactually saw it

The College GameDay crowd
Photo by Kevin Benz
The ESPN College GameDay set on the South Mall of the University of Texas.
Photo by Kevin Benz
Bevo
Photo by Kevin Benz
Longhorm Network analyst Kevin Dunn (l) and anchor Lowell Galindo (r).
Photo by Kevin Benz
ESPN College GameDay analyst Lee Corso.
Photo by Kevin Benz

Longhorn Network debuted Friday night to an audience of a few hundred students on the University of Texas' South Mall, a few hundred more watching in the UT dorms (yes, the dorms got Longhorn Network at least for the evening), about 20,000 lucky cable subscribers in southeast Texas and about 50 Orangebloods sitting at the bar next to me at the University of Texas Club.

It didn't matter how many watched. The Longhorn Network is great television. I was riveted. It drew me in and washed over me like a comeback win over oklahoma (small "o"). My orange blood burned for the season to start. I am a fan. There I said it.

I'm only sorry more people can't see it to appreciate it.

The Longhorn Network is great television. I was riveted. It drew me in and washed over me like a comeback win over oklahoma (small "o"). I'm only sorry more people can't see it to appreciate it.

ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports broadcasting, knows how to do great sports television and it's doing it in Austin. Those of you who follow my writing know I have been a bit, well snarky about the Longhorn Network — who it hired, how it blew its PR campaign over poorly stated intentions about high school football and Big 12 conference games, how it can't seem to make a deal with a single Austin cable television provider — or ones in the city of Houston or Dallas or San Antonio or any major cable provider (or DirecTV) for that matter.

Whatever, This channel rocks.

I know a little something about broadcast TV after spending 30 years working for and running TV stations. My bar for quality is pretty high. Longhorn Network cleared it by a mile. This is ESPN on the local level, with all the quality of the network that perfected sports coverage. Great photography, crisp sound, outstanding editing, quality graphics, even the familiar ESPN ticker running at the bottom of the screen.

Check out the video clips of the All-Access documentary style show promising a "behind the scenes look" at University of Texas football. It was. You have to watch to understand, but you are introduced to Mack Brown the Coach. Not Mack Brown the CEO, not Mack Brown the brilliant PR man, not Mack Brown the congenial father figure; no, Mack Brown the Coach.

A tough as nails, get it done my way or the highway coach of the Texas Longhorns. I couldn't turn away.

The local talent is young, yes, but capable. Lowell Galindo, Kevin Dunn and Samantha Steele were comfortable in what had to be a pressure packed moment. Galindo in particular asked pointed questions rather than tossing softballs to UT basketball coach Rick Barnes. The College GameDay crew of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Erin Andrews were stellar as usual, even if they had to be asking themselves "Why are we here?"

The live sports television is first-class. LHN covered the Texas-Pepperdine volleyball match with six cameras — six. That's about three more than one might expect from a local live broadcast. Texas might not have gotten six cameras at the national championship last year.

One could sit and critique the schedule full of old football games, old films, and reruns, but let's give Longhorn Network credit for keeping its ammo in the chamber until it gets better distribution. And LHN will get better distribution, it's inevitable.

I watched the Longhorn Network with an open mind, ready to criticize or praise. I can't criticize, try as I might. Texas fans will appreciate the gift ESPN has given us. No, oklahoma and Texas A&M and whatever other Big 12 (10) school might not like it — to them I say, go get your own network.

Oh, I'm sorry, that's right, you can't. Because "We're Texas", the Jonses of college football.

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pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings