College GameDay to help kick off Longhorn Network's debut

The group who many avid college football fans are accustomed to starting their Saturday morning with will help Longhorn Network kick off their much-anticipated programming. From the Longhorn Network, Lowell Galindo, Samantha Steele, and Kevin Dunn will join the ESPN’s College GameDay crew of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard, and Erin Andrews for a two-hour special from the South Mall on campus Friday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.

“In true Texas fashion, we’re going to launch Longhorn Network in a big way,” said vice president of programming Dave Brown.

The Longhorn volleyball team’s season opener against Pepperdine will air live at 8 p.m. following the special. The Longhorn Network also announced that it will air all five seasons of Friday Night Lights.

— Christian Corona

Texas women’s basketball non-conference schedule released

The Texas women’s basketball team will open its 2011-2012 season against Stanford on November 11. The Cardinal, who finished last season ranked fourth, are expected to crack the top ten again this season.

After hosting Southeastern Louisiana and Alcorn State, the Longhorns will head to Honolulu, Hawaii for the Rainbow Wahine Showdown. There they will face California, Virginia and host Hawaii during the three-day tournament.

With the team’s return to the continental United States comes more tough opposition: Tennessee and Michigan State. Texas will travel to Knoxville to face the Lady Vols Dec. 4. for what has become an annual game.

On December 10, Texas will participate in the second Big 12/Big Ten Women’s Basketball Challenge when it faces off against Michigan State in Austin. Last season, both conferences agreed to an inter-conference series of games.

To cap off its non-conference schedule, Texas will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff, North Texas, Grambling State and Delaware State in Austin throughout December.

— Sara Beth Purdy