Marcia Kirkland and Evelyn Barron needed to fill their days with something once they retired from teaching to fight any boredom.
“Let’s start following Texas women’s basketball,” Kirkland recalls.
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Since they started following the team in 2004, the pair have missed a total of 30 games. They have traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Canada or “wherever” the Longhorns are playing to support the Longhorns.
Now they are in Phoenix for the Final Four to support the Longhorns.
Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) takes a photo with the NCAA Fort Worth Regional Championship trophy after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) dribbles the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Breya Cunningham (25) is guarded by Michigan forward Ashley Sofilkanich (15) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer watches guard Rori Harmon (3) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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A Texas Longhorns fan holds up the sign of the horns ahead of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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The Texas Longhorns celebrate a score and drawn foul by center Kyla Oldacre (00) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Michigan guard Kendall Dudley (22) fights for control of the ball with Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) ahoots the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) pushes past Michigan guard Kendall Dudley (22) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) lies on the ground after a foul during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Rori Harmon (3) dribbles the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) celebrates a score during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Michigan guards Syla Swords’ (12) hair covers her face during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against the Texas Longhorns at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) blocks a shot attempt by Michigan forward Ashley Sofilkanich (15) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Michigan guards Syla Swords (12) and Kendall Dudley (22) guard Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) and Michigan guard Kendall Dudley (22) follow the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) is guarded by Michigan guard Brooke Quarles Daniels (5) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) and forward Madison Booker (35) celebrate a score during a Michigan timeout during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer reacts to a call during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) pushes past Michigan guard Olivia Olson (1) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) and forward Madison Booker (35) celebrate a score during a Michigan timeout during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) celebrates a score during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) celebrates a score during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns players check on guard Bryanna Preston (1) after a fall during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) celebrates a score during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker (35) shoots the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guards Bryanna Preston (1) and Sarah Graves (6) celebrate winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) points to the crowd after a score during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Michigan guard Te’Yala Delfosse (33) blocks a shot by Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) pushes past Michigan guard Mila Holloway (3) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) celebrates a score and drawn foul by center Kyla Oldacre (00) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) shoots the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) passes the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) shoots the ball over Michigan guard Syla Swords (12) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Justice Carlton (11) shoots a free throw during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Michigan guard Syla Swords (12) shoots the ball during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against the Texas Longhorns at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Michigan guard Olivia Olson (1) is guarded by Texas Longhorns guard Jordan Lee (7) during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Sarah Graves (6) shoots a 3-pointer during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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The Texas Longhorns celebrate a score during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Sarah Graves (6) celebrates after a 3-pointer during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Sarah Graves (6) celebrates as time expires in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns center Kyla Oldacre (00) pours confetti on head coach Vic Schaefer after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker wipes confetti off of head coach Vic Schaefer’s head after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker throws confetti on head coach Vic Schaefer after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns forward Madison Booker places a cowboy hat on head coach Vic Schaefer after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guards Bryanna Preston (1) celebrates winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns guard Rori Harmon (3) cuts down the net after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Texas Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer puts the net over his head after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Former Texas Longhorns head coach Jody Conradt congratulates coach Vic Schaefer after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Kirkland and Barron were traveling with other longstanding Austinites: David Wheeler, who graduated from UT, and Cassie Campbell.
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The Texas Longhorns take a photo with the NCAA Fort Worth Regional Championship trophy after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game against Michigan at Dickies Arena on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
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Wheeler was a member of the Texas pep band and went to all the home games as a student. The band didn’t travel except for the postseason but because Wheeler was a freshman, he couldn’t make the trip to Lexington, Ky. to watch Jody Conradt’s team hoisted the championship trophy in 1986.
He and his friends hope to see the Longhorns do it again.
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“It’s kind of a full-circle moment because I was a student at the time but it makes you realized how much the women’s game has advanced and grown,” he said.
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Campbell, remembers what it was like watching games at the old venue, the Frank Erwin Center — a group of maybe 2,000 people she estimates watching games in a place with a maximum capacity of nearly 18,000.
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“I’ve been a supporter for women’s sports, especially women’s basketball… I think it’s good that we can support them,” Campbell said.
Wheeler was hopeful he could see the success the team amassed four decades ago. But he wasn’t the only Longhorn alum that remembers the squad that went undefeated.
Cheryl Zaremba was a law student and started watching the team in 1980. Thinking about falling in love with basketball as and seeing Texas win a championship is the root of her fandom.
“Because hopefully I’ve lived long enough to see them win two national championships,” she said this week, resting her hand over her heart.
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But it isn’t just a special moment for the more seasoned UT fans.
Lauren Cortinas and her mother Jennifer are from Texas, but Lauren is a law student at the University of Arizona. in Tuscon, Ariz. The pair are from the Dallas Fort-Worth area and her mom watched the Longhorns win in the Elite Eight.
“’I have to go. You gotta come out here for the Final Four’,” Lauren said
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Lauren is a former basketball player from UT-Tyler and her mom played college soccer. They have a devout love as women’s sports and they are seeing other people enjoy the game as well because, according to ESPN Press Room viewership, women’s basketball viewership has increased up to 33% year-over-year.
“The fact that they’re getting so much love from the community is just amazing,” Lauren said.