Fans prepare for UT Football’s first SEC game on Saturday

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The moment has come. The University of Texas’ first SEC home game is on Saturday. Kick off starts at 3:15 p.m., but game day preparations are already underway at the University Co-op where thousands visited to stock up on their gear.

“It’s energetic. I definitely feel the energy here. It’s awesome. I’m super thrilled and excited to be in the SEC,” said UT fan, Will Gilroy.

The Co-op was a packed house with people from across the country coming for the historic day.

“All the way from New Jersey,” said UT fan, Denise Smith. “We decided that we wanted to see the first game of the SEC.”

‘We’re just going to be busier’

Co-op President and CEO Cheryl Phifer said UT’s move to the SEC drove up foot traffic.

“We’re hiring more student employees from UT because we’re just going to be busier. We need to staff more registers,” Phifer said. “We need to be getting more clothes to the floor. We have more customers to spend time with.”

Phifer said selling more gear means more money for scholarships.

“Every penny of profit, literally goes back to students in the form of course material scholarships,” Phifer said. “So fans can feel really great about shopping locally and knowing that their profits are going to a really good cause.”

The nonprofit helped nearly 7,000 students with course materials last year. Their goal is to do more. Phifer hopes the increased turnout can get them there.

“Come to the Co-op, buy a t-shirt and help a student with their course materials,” Phifer said.

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