fw weygandt andrew glover rusty beard jaime woodson todd ratzman eric eckermann derrek walker sam subject fw espn immediate release june 26 2001 espn launch sidelines network second reality based series premiere texas football espn launch 13 episode prime time series fall entitled sidelines network second reality based title espn original entertainment eoe banner sidelines document season prominent team told eyes ears less visible less celebrated people involved team football aggies texas focus series premiere episodes begin october 5 coach slocum made decision part exciting venture espn texas athletics director wally groff said thrilled espn chosen texas series opportunity espn gave us showcase wonderful institution tradition heritage something could pass docu drama style various stories surround team explored voices actions people whose day day lives directly affected living town going school players coaches also visible heard peripheral fashion primary focus good opportunity texas university delighted espn decided feature football program people behind scenes head coach r c slocum said look forward working participants drawn cross section people reflect every aspect university college station texas students faculty media local storeowners mothers fathers high school seniors aspire attend university person role play team well personal story said mark shapiro vice president general manager espn original entertainment sidelines see person grow character season progresses kind soap umentary weave smaller personal stories together bigger story progression fate team season sidelines texas storylines 125 th anniversary school founding 1876 community still much dealing 1999 bonfire collapse tragically killed 12 students almost two years ago 90 year tradition came tumultuous end dealing loss emotional toll took faculty members students families important part series bonfire return 2002 take different form tradition texas lost wild snowy independence bowl last year overtime mississippi state 43 41 play notre dame home texas oklahoma kansas st colorado next year tough schedule provide great drama school invented phrase 12 th man actually owns trademark one game aggies low players student suit stand ready case needed ever since student chosen every home game suit play kickoff team billy pickard charge maintaining facilities university 36 years student trainer bear bryant team actually junction texas bryant infamous grueling summer camp story best selling book junction boys midnight friday night every home game 30 000 fans show week time honored tradition eoe newest franchise espn programming develop wide variety branded programming outside network traditional event sports news genres using collection vehicles game shows documentaries reality based shows espn goal broaden audience appealing younger casual sports fans addition company exploring new ways connect consumers applying projects across platforms espn family television internet radio atm