Coogs on the Road Presented by UHAA and Houston Athletics is coming to a location near you with the coaches' caravan featuring Cougar coaches and administrators including Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson, Football Head Coach Willie Fritz, Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman and other special guests.
June 18 - San Antonio - Co-hosted by San Antonio Alumni Network - Hilton Palacio Del Rio - 200 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205 - 6pm-8pm
June 19 - Webster/Clear Lake - Co-hosted by the Houston Bay Area Alumni Network - Lewis Jewelers -19335 Gulf Fwy, Webster, TX 77598 - 6pm-8pm
Each event is free, but we still encourage you to RSVP! Click the link here!
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Shad Miller
Shad Miller, a proud University of Houston alumnus, has been a devoted Men's Basketball and Football season ticket holder for the past 20 years. He has been a generous contributor to the Dugout Club, and enhancing facilities like TDECU Stadium, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the Cougar family!
When did you decide to get involved with Cougar Pride and why do you feel that supporting our student-athletes is important?
I've had season tickets for over 20 years but didn't really start getting involved throughout all sports and giving support in a variety of areas until 5 years ago. Being a 1996 graduate of the University of Houston, I always wanted an opportunity to be able to give to the University that gave so much to me. Meeting the team at Cougar Pride just made it so easy to get involved and feel like you are truly part of the UH family!! Being able to give back and help build this amazing program has been why I stick around and am always open to be asked lend assistance when I can.
What is your favorite memory as a fan?
September 26, 2009 Case Keenum diving in the endzone at the end to beat Texas Tech. I had both of my young daughters there and we were sitting with our 30 ticket holder friends in the endzone!! Was one of the greatest moments of my sports life. Also, the 2015 Peach Bowl vs Florida State, just the feeling of Buzz in the stadium and the feel of the fans that made the trek to see the win was unbelievable. All the great trips to watch our UH basketball teams in Suite 16, Elite 8, Final Four rounds, and receiving an official jersey at center court of a game. The many days spent rooting on the baseball team and the relationships built within that organization. Being a suite holder at Football games, bringing fans, friends, family, and my UH Family to the games. Being able to share a part of my Alma Mater with them, that's what make memories!!!
What makes you most proud of being a part of Houston Athletics?
It's all about the relationships I've gotten to build within the Cougar family and the great team Of University of Houston Representatives in the Athletic Department!! Being able to give back to the school that gave me so much, absolutely has led me to be as involved as I can be within the Athletic Programs. NIL has opened up a whole new window to be able to give back to the players as well as the program. Throwing a first pitch to Anthony Tulimero on his last senior game and meeting him at mid field to be told the difference I made for him. We all need to be able to experience that!!!! If You meet me, you'll know I bleed red and I am 100% committed to helping this great Athletic Department build a program that we can all be proud of!!
COOGS TO SUCCESS
Kevin Kolb
Kevin Kolb, a former standout quarterback for the Houston Cougars from 2003-2006, made an indelible mark on college football. Named a started as a true freshman, Kevin earned the title of Conference USA Freshman of the Year in his debut season. His impressive performance continued, landing him on the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien Award watchlists multiple times. In his final year, he was honored as the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year. Kevin's collegiate success propelled him to the NFL, where he was drafted in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, being the third quarterback selected that year. Throughout his professional career, he also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills.
Today, the Stephenville native is a proud father of four daughters and married to his high school sweetheart, Whitney. They reside in Tolar, Texas, where Kevin thrives as a businessman and a devoted man of Christ. Kevin has thrived in multiple industries that include Real Estate Development, Commercial Residential, Oil & Gas, Farm & Ranch Excavation, and Water Solutions. An active member of StoneWater Church, Kevin serves as an Elder and the Director of Men's Ministry.
What advice would you give a current student-athlete?
Ask for help! We live in a world boasting with pride and a common theme is that asking for help is a sign of weakness- when really it’s the opposite. I would contribute most of my success, whether it's in football, business, or my walk with Christ, to the older gentlemen in my life that have led by example by saying, “Here’s how you do it.” It all started with me admitting that I don’t know how to do everything and that’s it’s okay to ask for help. “If you don't know who you are, you don't know where you're going!”
What is your favorite memory as a Houston student-athlete?
The Hawaii Bowl in 2003. We fought a legit battle against the Hawaii Warriors. The game had gone back and forth all day long (honestly, I really hadn’t played too well) with the clock running out……Art called an amazing play! Vincent Marshall snuck in the backfield, around our own 20yd line. The defense split perfectly, as I threw it right down the seam and watched Vincent skate all the way to the end zone, to take it to overtime. This was such a special moment, not only because it doesn’t happen frequently in sports, but because I had the best seat in the house watching my close friend and teammates celebrate all the way in. Ill never forget that view!
Cougar Pride Annual Fund
Cougar Pride engages fans, alumni, and loyal supporters of Houston Athletics to generate financial support that benefits the overall educational and athletics experience for our student-athletes. The funds raised through the Annual Fund support scholarships, educational resources, and other expenses associated with being a Houston student-athlete.
The Basketball season ticket deadline is July 22nd. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office if you have any questions about your renewal. These renewals will also include any "unrestricted" Cougar Pride donations. Cougar Pride giving levels are determine on an annual basis by the total amount of Cougar Pride "unrestricted" donations and/or "football/basketball per seat" commitment payments within each fiscal year. Your financial support directly benefits over 400 Houston student-athletes in the classroom, in competition, and ensures they leave Houston prepared for the next step in their lives.
Dedicated to driving new levels of external engagement and revenue generation, Cougar Pride and Houston Volleyball have joined to reinvent Point Houston as a compelling investment option for current and future donors. Point Houston 2.0 places a heightened emphasis on experiences and access, leveraging the current success of the volleyball program and a growing demand among fans, parents, friends and supporters for greater engagement with the coaching staff and Cougar student-athletes.
Over the past three years, The University of Houston Volleyball program has elevated itself not only into a conference power, but a national power. To continue to support our student-athletes who compete at the highest levels, it requires more assistance from our Point Houston members. It is needed in every aspect of our program from recruiting and travel to nutrition and recovery. Your support of Point Houston and Cougar Pride is not only greatly appreciated, it is needed! - David Rehr, Head Volleyball Coach
NIL: Linking Coogs
RUN IT BACK Cougar Fans! Coach Sampson needs your help! We are calling on YOU to be a part of the Houston Men’s Basketball program. We need 100 fans to donate $10,000 to ensure we retain our top talent. Contributing to this campaign directly impacts the team's success next year. We need you to RUN IT BACK with us.
Tip of the Month from Compliance
Question: Shasta Smith, well-known Coog booster, has been made aware of a prospective student athlete from his hometown who would like to come on an unofficial visit (meaning the prospect covers all expense). Mr. Smith would like to help pay for this PSA's visit as he cannot afford to come on the visit without financial help. Would it be permissible for Mr. Smith to help finance the PSAs unofficial visit to the school?
Answer: No! Boosters are NOT allowed to arrange for or finance a prospect's unofficial visit to a school.
Questions? Contact the Office of Athletics Compliance
- Lauren DuBois - ledubois@central.uh.edu
- Chris Nasuti - cnasuti@central.uh.edu
- Christina Erwin - cnmaldon@central.uh.edu
- Richard Vierling - ravierli@central.uh.edu