Collection Principles. This online exhibition is listed under the topic “football” on the Smithsonian Library and Archival Exhibitions on the Web site. The homepage for the “Pigskin, Passion, and Pride: UT Football, 1898-1998” exhibition states that it is an exhibit by UT’s Center for American History and the University Co-Op and lists the Center’s weekly hours and phone number. That is about it for a collection statement! The dates in the title, together with the photo image showing former Coach Darrell Royal celebrating success in the 1973 Cotton Bowl, are the only indicator that what follows may be a retrospective of 100 years of University of Texas football. There is no statement regarding the genesis of the photographs and programs included in the four exhibits, although it is likely that they currently are among the Center’s collections. However, there is a reference to an exhibit curator with a link for further contact. One proceeds quickly through the site using “next page” or “previous page” prompts at the bottom of each page, or is directed to the exhibit image index, also on the bottom of each page, or underneath each enlarged image. Photographs range from the 1898 football team (shown above) to quarterback James Brown throwing a pass in the 1996 Big 12 Conference championship. Along the way are images and text describing halfback Rene Ramirez in 1959, a 1960 women’s intramural touch football game, a 1964 “Scholar-Athlete,” and 1977 Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell. The exhibit image index page has a header that provides for a “flash media version” with or without sound. I could only access the “with sound” film, to hear what sounded like fans in a stadium and to watch a cartoonish football field onto which small tumbling characters morphed into letters that repeated the title of the exhibit and the “exhibit by” description found on the home page.
Object Characteristics. The 4 exhibits contain various numbers of color and black and white photograph and game program images in jpeg format in thumbnail size expandable to large images. There is short text accompanying each image in the exhibits; for example, the text for the 1898 team photograph shown above is “The '98 Varsity squad, wearing maroon and orange colors and no helmets, whipped the Aggies 48-0 and launched a new era in UT football.” The arrangement is in chronological order running from 1898 to 1996. Notwithstanding the title of the exhibition, there are no images or text that extends to 1998.The exhibit image index lists what appears to be the subject of the image and a number that is not explained, but is likely to be a box or other reference number at the Center for American History. There is no explanation for such a listing.
Metadata. There is very little metadata other than what is noted above in the way of short text squibs on the subject of each image. There is no information on the origin of the original photos or programs or on any rights with respect to the materials or terms of use. There are no references for further information or research, unless the homepage listing of the address and phone number of the Center for American History is intended for that purpose. All of this lack in metadata is surprising given the association and sponsorship of the exhibition by the University of Texas and its Center for American History. Of course, it may be that all such information as to origin, authorship, rights, etc. is available from the exhibit curator cited on the homepage. I did not make the effort for further contact.
Intended Audience. This site is for the Longhorn football enthusiast—preferably before a football game or tailgating party! The site is not sophisticated enough for the historian or scholar, especially as it lacks so much metadata or further reference sources. It is not even clear whether there is further information at the Center for American History on UT football. The site may appeal to a high school student or teacher searching for a quick and simple summary of UT football from its earliest days through 1996. But not much more than that for students.
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