Texas Longhorns celebrate SEC induction with grand pyrodrone show, capturing the skies at Austin

The Texas Longhorns celebrated the school joining the SEC with a parade after officially becoming members of the conference on July 1. The university also held a large, free event on Sunday on campus, featuring interactive games, activities, food, and refreshments for fans to commemorate this milestone.

At night, the school did a public drone show, which was the first public drone show with pyro in America. The drones lit the Austin skies with a flaming Longhorn logo that went on fire and disappeared with the pyro.

"This is a day we have been building toward for years," Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said, via CBS. "Our fans are really excited about this. You can tell by the turnout. It just means more to the fans in the Southeast Conference and their schools."

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey was present for the event on campus while Pitbull performed a free concert. Thousands of fans went to the campus to celebrate the Longhorns officially becoming SEC members.

Along with games being available, photos, autographs, and Texas-SEC merchandise were also available for purchase.

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Texas Longhorns celebrates joining SEC

Following the celebration of the Texas Longhorns officially becoming SEC members, Del Conte said it was something that has been a long time coming.

"This is a day we have been building toward for years," Del Conte said, via Statesman. "Our fans are really excited about this. You can tell by the turnout. It just means more to the fans in the Southeast Conference and their schools."

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian, meanwhile, says he's eager for the challenge of coaching in the SEC.

"We need to build a team that come January can beat Alabama, LSU and Georgia, and I'd throw in Ohio State and Clemson, too, because those are the teams that in some shape or form are in the playoff just about every year," Sarkisian said, via ESPN.

"We can't get enamored with just building a team to win the Big 12. We're going to have to build a team that can take down Alabama in January. I'm not talking September, but in January be equipped to beat those teams you're going to have to beat to win a national championship."

In their first year in the SEC, Texas will have notable games against Mississippi State, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, among others.