Beyond the Game
Welcome to Texas gameday like you’ve never seen it before.
This is the story of a football season at The University of Texas, but not the one you’ll find on television. The Alcalde sent one of the state’s leading photographers, Jeff Wilson, to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium with instructions to shoot everything but the game.
Through his eyes, the football itself became a backdrop for the constellation of characters who make the experience possible. From cotton candy vendors to tuba players to tailgaters—even a group of otherwise reasonable men periodically firing a Civil War era cannon—here is the spectacle of gameday seen anew. See even more of Wilson’s gameday photographs here.
The Silver Spurs unload Bevo before the game. He’s very docile, but it was still intimidating when he walked straight toward me. He just moseyed on into the stadium.
The Cowboys roll Smokey the Cannon through a north gate. Just after this photo was taken, the cannon got stuck in a smaller doorway. We spent a few minutes puzzling over how to get it through.
A sound specialist wears a giant dish and headphones.
The T-shirt cannon
A shopkeeper in the stadium
A tailgater in his custom trailer. The trailer was carpeted with Astroturf, complete with white yard lines. Photos of football greats hung on the walls.
Mascot Hook ’Em waits for the right moment to rouse the crowd. I stalked the mascot for a good hour or so, but he kept mugging for the camera whenever he saw me. I wanted to capture him in a quiet moment, and finally I did.
A cotton candy vendor
Two young fans
A referee awaiting the game. The ref was ready for a serious portrait when a coach walked through the frame to tease him.
A twirler. Since I couldn’t go on the field to photograph the twirler during the game, I asked her to perform for an empty stadium afterward.
Photos and text by Jeff Wilson.
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18 Comments
Great pictures of some things we don’t always get to see…..
Was hoping you’d show Alpha Phi Omega with the world’s largest Texas flag! Have great memories of getting to the field long before most of the fans to carry it in for the flag runs.
The Texas Longhorns have a great season. Awesome pics of all activties before the game. Love them Longhorns, Hook Em!I am a true Texan (Home Grown from Austin)!
What a fun idea.
I enjoyed all the memories of my days as a student when NO ONE missed a football game when it was at home and there were a lot of games at other Southwest Conference schools ———when it was an easy distance to travel.
Brilliant!
Excellent pictures, thank you for letting me remember my student days
Encore! Encore! Can you publish some more?
Hi Kathleen – you can see more of Jeff’s gameday photography here. http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/08/gameday/
Great pics! Love the variety! Hook ‘em!
The great Longhorn Network seems to have the same idea with much more on the students, bands, chap girls, etc than the big networks cover. That is the most interesting part of the game!!
These are great! Is there a way to see more of the pictures he took that day? I think he took some of me (a cymbal player in Longhorn Band).
Hi Storey – More of Jeff’s gameday photos are here: http://alcalde.texasexes.org/2012/08/gameday/
Outstanding photography and very thrilling to see all the traditions that still excite everyone.
Reminds me of my husband’s photography (Sherwood) during his days capturing the crowd enjoying game day.
Sherwood loved these days when his camera was his eye on the people.
Inspiring. Gorgeous. World-class.
[...] The Alcalde sent Jeff Wilson, to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium with instructions to photograph everything but the University of Texas football game. Check out the rest of Wilson’s game day series here. ©Jeff Wilson ©Jeff Wilson [...]
Great photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Absolutely love it! More photo features, please. : )
[...] photo essay of the spectacle that is UT gameday brought the Longhorn spirit flooding in (“Beyond the Game,” [...]