Longhorn Network building steam

Here are many of the 31 Bristol-based employees headed to Texas to help build Longhorn Network. 

In seven weeks, Longhorn Network makes its debut from the University of Texas campus in Austin.

The channel is the result of a partnership between ESPN and UT to operate a year-round, 24-hour network dedicated to Longhorn sports.

Friday, ESPN announced its core on-air team for the Friday, Aug. 26, 6 p.m. CT launch.

Lowell Galindo, Samantha Steele and Kevin Dunn will be the faces of the network and will kick things off from the South Mall on the UT campus.

ESPN’s College GameDay crew — Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Desmond Howard and Erin Andrews — will join them on set for previews of the Longhorns’ Sept. 3 home opener versus Rice.

Approximately 50 staff members have been hired for the network. Of the 31 employees moving from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., headquarters, 10 are Texas graduates. Five others are Texas natives.

Front Row will have more information on Longhorn Network in the week’s ahead. For more on today’s announcement, click here.