Chants boom across Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, football fans dazzling in burnt orange, white and denim filling the stands, hoping to keep the school spirit alive. Somewhere in the stadium stands Bevo, the legendary mascot who makes UT a school for Longhorns.

Built in 1924, the stadium, holding memories of football champions from the past 101 years, is a beacon of light for Texas football. From 1957 to 1976, Darrell K. Royal held the head coach position, leading the football team to three national championships. In 1996, the stadium officially took his name in memoriam.

One of many traditions students and alumni hold close to their hearts is the Longhorn Band. Started in 1900, the Longhorn Band plays iconic chants, like “Go, Horns, Go” and “Texas Fight” in its designated spot in the stadium. Nicknamed the Showband of the Southwest, the band members sport Western-style outfits, adorned with a cowboy hat, embodying the southern spirit. 

“It’s super weird whenever (the band is) not there, and you’re kind of expecting those things,” said TJ Anderson, assistant director of the Longhorn Band. “The band works as a liaison for the community. There are things that the band does that everybody knows to be involved in, that keeps the energy moving throughout the game.”

This year, Arch Manning began his run as the Longhorn’s starting quarterback. With high expectations of exciting gameplay and big wins from fans, the football team adds to the energy of the stadium with touchdown celebrations and their iconic introduction videos.

“One thing that makes (games) exciting to attend is the energy from the football team themselves,” said Louis Perez, a kinesiology and physical culture and sports sophomore. “They definitely like when the crowd is loud, and they feed off that. That’s something really special because it’s a chance for everyone to be involved, not just the team and the students. Anyone can cheer, as we’re all there for the same reason, that’s to see the team win.”

With its rich history, the stadium hosts traditions that many incoming students look forward to. The most notable being the collective singing at the end of games, students and longhorn fans alike reciting “The Eyes of Texas.”

“It was a really good part of being an undergraduate, (it’s a) really important experience to be at a football game (and) part of the student section,” Montgomery said. “But, I think it has its time, and as I got older, I didn’t want to (participate) anymore because it’s too much trouble, getting in and out of 50,000 people … but, when you’re a student, it’s really fun.”