Hello Houston. Let’s talk UT sports.

Allow me to introduce myself.

I’ve been doing burnt orange for the Austin American-Statesman for a while. Well, since I graduated from UT in May 1973.

So I’m not exactly a newbie. Yes, I’ve been to no fewer than 50 Texas-OU games, not counting the ones I saw as an undergrad. Don’t ask me about those Friday nights on Commerce Street when I was a student.

I’ve covered Texas football, from Darrell Royal to Steve Sarkisian. I’ve written about Longhorn basketball, from Leon Black and Abe Lemons to Rodney Terry, from Jody Conradt to Vic Schaefer.

I was in Omaha to write about Cliff Gustafson’s first College World Series championship in 1975 after being at Disch-Falk Field for the first pitch when that stadium opened in February of that year.

I have attended basketball games at the Moody Center for the past two years. But I was there at the Erwin Center when the Super Drum opened in 1977, and I felt a pang in my heart as I passed the skeletal ruins of the place last month. Hell, I covered basketball games at Gregory Gym for the Daily Texan.

Anyway, I went around the neighborhood. In fact, around the block, then around the block a few hundred more times.

I told a few stories. Some stories almost broke me. I teamed up with colleagues to write about scandals involving steroids, gambling, espionage, and homosexuality in sports. And I unfortunately wrote obituaries for DKR, Fred Akers, Gustafson and Augie Garrido and sports information director Bill Little. It’s difficult to write.

I’ve been with the Statesman since 1973, but I’ve been writing about the Longhorns since 1994. Or was it 1894?

I enjoy writing about the personalities of athletes and helping the reader get to know them better, and I enjoy keeping tabs on the decision-makers who make the big decisions. I especially enjoy writing about college football, whether it’s the 2006 Rose Bowl or the spring game in April, but I also had a lot of fun covering the Texas softball team during this month’s Women’s College World Series.

And I hope you’ll give me a chance to connect with Texas sports.

I look forward to writing about the Longhorns for the greater Houston Chronicle and, as always, I appreciate your comments.

Please do not mention any Heisman Trophy votes.