Brown, UT close six practices; cite injury, privacy

By CHIP BROWN
The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN — Texas coach Mack Brown on Friday closed five of the remaining six practices that were scheduled to be open to the public and media, citing concerns about student and team privacy.

On Thursday night, redshirt freshman receiver Jordan Shipley injured his right hamstring and had to be assisted off the field. Shipley had an MRI on the hamstring Friday. Results weren’t immediately known.

Brown said there were posts on the Internet five minutes after the injury, including one erroneous report on a fan Web site saying Shipley had reinjured a knee that required reconstructive surgery last year.

Brown said fans were taking pictures of Shipley limping off the field on their cellphones, many of which now have the ability to record streaming video.

Brown was upset at the sight of the cellphone photographs Thursday night. The more he thought about it, the more he decided it was right to close practices.

“A parent should never have to read on the Internet or hear through the media that their son has been hurt before we can even get off the practice field and call them,” Brown said.

Brown also cited concerns about outsiders’ ability to record things at practice such as UT’s snap count and any sideline signals being used.

“We have 10,000 active Oklahoma boosters in Austin, and who knows how many Aggies,” Brown said with a chuckle. “I don’t know who’s taking video of our practices on their cellphones.”

Fan Appreciation Day on Aug. 20, which includes a scrimmage at 9 a.m. at Royal-Memorial Stadium, will remain open to the public.

Oklahoma has open practices during its fall camp. Texas A&M and Texas Tech do not. All the schools close their practices during the season.