“It’s something that’s starting to spread,” Branch said. It just helps having that extension of personality brought onto the court from the student section.”Ĭharles Branch, a marketing coordinator for Texas Athletics, said the squad is the first of its kind in the country and is already inspiring similar programs at other schools such as Florida State. “As entertaining as that may be, it helps a lot to have emcees at basketball games and the Hype Squad to execute, whether it’s a promotion or contest, something for people to see. “Before, the game was your entertainment,” Dolan said.

She said their main goal is always to engage the crowd. The first thing is getting people more engaged.”ĭolan, Hype Squad captain and physical sports and culture junior, said that since the group is still so new, they’re able to experiment and decide what the squad will become. “We’ve been working to enhance the gameday experience, in general, for all sports. “We are an extension of your biggest Texas fan,” Dolan said. By leading chants, promotions and fan contests, the squad seeks to improve school spirit and crowd interaction at UT’s major sporting events, such as baseball, volleyball, soccer and football.

Eight members of Texas Mascots started the group, which was once called Hoop Squad, during last year’s basketball season. The Hype Squad is Texas Athletics’ new in-game interactive group. Instead, she pumps up the crowd as part of “Hook Em’s posse” - the Hype Squad. But Dolan isn’t a member of Cheer or Pom. Clad in matching burnt orange shorts and white T-shirts, they lead 100,000 people in cheering on the football team. On Texas gamedays, Lexie Dolan and a group of 24 other boisterous, spirited students charge through a packed Darrell K Royal-Memorial Stadium and onto the field.

Hype squad