HornFans
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| HornFans.com, LLC | |
 |
|
| Type | Online community |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Key people | Robert and Katy Agnor (owners) |
| Website | www.hornfans.com |
HornFans is a University of Texas at Austin-focused online community that was created in 1999. It is currently the 13th-most visited college sports website, third-most visited team-specific website, and the most-visited independent college sports website.[1] The site has over 43,000 registered users as of December 19, 2006.
While created as a site for chatting about Longhorn sports, HornFans has evolved into a true community with local gatherings, discussions about pop culture and philosophy, Austin-area culture, and prayer requests.
HornFans is owned by Robert and Katy Agnor. Robert and Katy are both native Austinites who were raised on Longhorn sports. Robert, a fifth-generation Longhorn and Austinite, is an Assistant Attorney General with the Texas Attorney General's office. Katy has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. She has been a professional software engineer specializing in internet technologies for the last eight years. Currently, she does freelance work as an independent consultant.
[edit] Tailgates and charity
The HornFans community is particularly known for football tailgate parties, both at home games in Austin and at away games. Collections are made at each event, with 100% of the proceeds going to a selected charity or cause. In 2006, funds were collected to assist former Longhorn star Johnny "Lam" Jones battle cancer. Jones was presented with a check for over $4000 in December 2006. Over the years, the HornFans community has raised tens of thousands of dollars for various charitable causes, such as the Cole Pittman Memorial Fund. HornFans has sponsored participants in local and national charity events such as the Terry Fox 5K.
[edit] References in media
- ESPN College Gameday's Rece Davis referenced the USC vs Greatest armies in history thread when discussing the upcoming national championship game between Texas and USC. Host Chris Fowler is also "an avid reader" of the site.[2]
- Godzillatron, the nickname for the brand new scoreboard at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium, was coined on this message board. [3]
- Austin American-Statesman, November 16, 2006, references a HornFans discussion. [4]
- KVUE featured a story about the outpouring of support from posters in the passing of mihm_rules. [5]
- San Antonio Express News referenced a HornFans' discussion on retiring Vince Young's jersey. [6]
- San Antonio Express News referenced an anonymous HornFans poster's thoughts on John Brantley. [7]
- Houston Chronicle notes a poster's trouble viewing an online feed from CBS. [8]
- The Daily Texan published an article about the website. [9]
- Mike Rhyner of the "The Hardline," a sports radio program on 1310 The Ticket in Dallas, frequently mentions Hornfans.com and his absolute hatred for the website and all things burnt orange.
[edit] References
- ^ Alexa: Sites in College and University
- ^ Horns may fear Godzilla, but they can handle USC
- ^ Godzillatron roars to life.
- ^ Boise State poised to crash Fiesta
- ^ Internet community reaches out to accident victim's family
- ^ At Texas, No. 10 should be forever Young's
- ^ Recruiting Insider: Brantley's not going anywhere but Austin
- ^ Sailing relatively smooth on Tournament's first day
- ^ Hornfans.com gives die-hards place to unite
