Office of External Communications

Houston, TX 77204-5017 Fax: 713.743.8199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2005

Contact: Contact: Mike Emery
713.743.8186 (office)
713.415.6551 (pager)
pemery@uh.edu

HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2005 – When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLS&R) Parade starts to roll through downtown Saturday, Feb. 26, the procession will march to the beat of a different drum…and the sounds of a different tuba, trumpet and saxophone.

For the first time in its history, the University of Houston Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band is the HLS&R Parade’s lead-off band.

It was recently added to the rotation of bands for this prestigious spot. From now on, the Cougar Band will be the leading band in the parade every third year. The two other bands included in this lead-off rotation are from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.

“Considering the university’s ties with the city and the numerous alumni who will be watching the parade, this will be a very special moment,” said David Bertman, director of the Spirit of Houston. “We’ll have a few surprises and a few musical twists to put our stamp on this important event for the university.”

The band’s new role in the parade reflects the university’s strong relationship with HLS&R. Since the 1980s, more than 700 UH students have received HLS&R scholarships totaling more than $5 million, according to the HLS&R’s education program coordinator. Student scholarships have also been provided through HLS&R endowments to UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. On Wednesday, March 2, HLS&R will host the annual UH Night at the Rodeo, which will feature UH System regents and university administrators participating in an evening parade in Reliant Stadium.

“You might not immediately associate the rodeo and the livestock show with the University of Houston, but we’ve really been dedicated supporters of each other for many years, ” said Spencer Yantis, interim vice president for university advancement at UH. “HLS&R’s commitment to education is a perfect match for UH’s role as a top public university. These scholarships have enabled many promising students to pursue their academic goals at our university and more will undoubtedly benefit from the university’s strong connections with HLS&R.”

The Cougar band has entertained fans across the country with its exciting football game halftime shows and parade appearances. In January 2004, the Spirit of Houston performed in front of 70,000 fans and on national television as part of the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show in Reliant Stadium.

“This band has risen to new heights during the past five years and its increased success led to the wonderful invitation to lead the 2005 HLS&R parade,” said David Ashley White, director of the Moores School of Music. “This is the first time in the parade's history that the UH band has been given this great honor, and it certainly marks an important new chapter in the band's history.”

The band will follow the U.S. Marines Color Guard, the parade’s grand marshal and the official HLS&R wagon. Following the Cougar band will be UH President Jay Gogue’s wagon and the UH alumni wagon.

About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.

For more information about UH visit the university’s ‘Newsroom’ at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.