A famed Texas women's basketball coach was so impressed by a trio of student journalists who drove 16 hours to cover the team that he offered to be a reference on their future resumés.
Vic Schaefer, head coach of women’s basketball at The University of Texas at Austin, noted that a trio of young reporters for the school's student newspaper, The Daily Texan, drove roughly a thousand miles from Austin to Greenville, South Carolina, to cover the SEC women’s basketball tournament.
After the Longhorns lost the championship to the South Carolina Gamecocks on March 9, Schaefer spoke at a press conference where he applauded the student reporters' work ethic.
"I want you all to know, when it comes time to get a job, you put me on your resume. That’s really unique, and I’m proud that you guys are here,” Schaefer said. “I’m proud that you take enough pride in your job that you would do that. Because you don’t have to do that, and I think people need to know that. So thank you for being here.”
Sports fans on social media commented to praise both Schaefer and the young reporters.
"That’s awesome for the journalists and for coach to recognize their commitment. The uni is lucky to have them," one person wrote alongside a video of the press conference posted on the official Front Office Sports Instagram account.
"Real journalists. Respect," wrote another.
"Class act, and kudos for the journalists for being so hard-working," wrote someone else, who included clapping emoji.
Schaefer was named the Longhorns head coach in 2020 after spending eight years as the head coach for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
