AD’s edict on ‘Eyes’ fails to ease tensions
AUSTIN — With the controversy surrounding “The Eyes of Texas” threatening to broaden the rift between Texas student-athletes and irate fans and alumni, athletic director Chris Del Conte this week released another statement in an attempt to calm the situation.
But given past statements made by UT athletes, who have spent months pushing for social reform on and off campus, Del Conte’s edict that coaches tell players they will be expected to stand and face fans during the playing of the alma mater might only inflame the situation.
“I have had many conversations with our head coaches outlining my expectations that our teams show appreciation for our University, fans, and supporters by standing together as a unified group for ‘The Eyes,’ while we work through this issue,” Del Conte wrote in his weekly newsletter.
Del Conte also aligned himself with many of the fans and prominent boosters who are outraged over athletes not standing for the traditional playing of a song thatwas performed in blackface at minstrel shows in the early 20th century.
“I, like so many of you, view the song with pride and sing loudly and proudly in honor of the efforts of those who represent and support this phenomenal institution,” Del Conte wrote. “President ( Jay) Hartzell was absolutely clear that ‘The Eyes’ is andwill remain our school song, but in an effort to further understand its origins, full history, and how it’s evolved over time, he established a committee to study, contextualize, and reclaim the song’s origin. We believe it is important to understand the history as we continue to perform it.”
Though the Texas volleyball team protested “The Eyes” after an Oct. 2 sweep of Kansas and soccer players have stood together with arms linked during the song, the most significant uproar followed last weekend’s game between Texas and Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.
An image showing senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger as the only player on the field facing fans during “The Eyes” circulated after Texas’ four-overtime loss, sending Del Conte and the athletic department scrambling to douse the fire. The vitriolic reaction grew substantial enough that football coach Tom Herman had to open his Monday news conference with a prepared statement on the matter.
“There are very strong emotions on both sides, and this is something that we’ve been working on since our campus initiatives were announced back in July,” Herman said. “As a football program, we’ve discussed this and will continue to. I’ve encouraged our staff and team toj oin me in participating after games, if they are comfortable doing so.
“I do believe it’s important to acknowledge our fans and thank them after the game. Sam Ehlinger and some of our team did join me in standing with the fans, who had cheered us so hard and helped us greatly in our comeback against Oklahoma. I applaud them and respect that. Many coaches and staff also remained on the field with them to show appreciation to our great university and our fans, and we will continue to encourage participation for all of those that are comfortable doing so.”
Herman said he respects the stance taken by players opposed to “The Eyes”— the Longhorns athletic community this summer released a letter requesting, among other campus reforms, a new song — even though they now will be expected to remain standing on the field for the fans regardless of their position.
“I won’t sing the song at all, if I’m being blunt,” Texas junior safety Caden Sterns said Sept. 8. “As a team, we kind of talked about it. I can’t answer for everybody else, nor do Iwant tomake it about me or anything like that, but personally I won’t sing the song.”
Some football parents have been reticent to discuss their views on the university’s handling of “The Eyes,” though several others have spoken out on social media.
“REPEAT AFTER ME: I’m allowed to do what’s BEST for me, even it upsets people,” tweeted Yolanda Royston, mother of junior safety B. J. Foster.
“The song will remain the Alma Mater and players won’ t be required to stay out for the song,” tweeted Natalia Vaughns, mother of redshirt sophomore linebacker Byron Vaughns. “Either you all can’t read OR your comprehension skills are off. We are on game 5, what other comments and clarity do you need?”
In a bizarre twist of fate, this is Free Speech Week at Texas. The university is hosting several virtual lectures and discussions on the topic.
On Monday, Lorraine Pangle, co-director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas, led a Zoom event titled “Free Speech and its Skeptics.
“The freedom to speak, think and express is at the very heart of any worldclass academic institution,” Hartzell wrote. “It is only through discourse — and occasionally, hard conversations and vigorous debate — that we can find common ground and make progress together.”