Reschedule Texas Football Kickoff Times

We the undersigned football fans of the University of Texas at Austin wish to support our team vocally and in large numbers. We want to heed the request of Mack Brown to "Come early, be loud, stay late, and wear orange."

Over 400 people were treated for heat-related health issues during Texas' first football game this season. A very large percentage of fans left the game by the half and did not return.

The reason for these problems? An 11AM kickoff in the heat of the Texas summer. The stands were in direct sun for the entire game on a hot and still summer day. This creates an unpleasant and potentially unhealthy atmosphere for the team, the band and other support organizations in attendance, the 70,000+ Longhorn Foundation season ticket holders, and our visiting opponent.

To address this, we request that the University reconsider the game start times for our remaining schedule in 2006 and in future seasons, planning game start times in the late afternoon or early evening during the first, hot months of the schedule. Specifically, the upcoming game with Sam Houston State University, which has been announced as an 11:30 AM start, should immediately be rescheduled to an evening kickoff to prevent a repeat of the events of September 2.

We appreciate the benefits to the University that television exposure provides- greater visibility and some amount of cash. I feel confident that television outlets will work with the University to cover our games regardless when they are played. Were Texas.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.