Campus Community to Celebrate Cougar Pride at Homecoming

With a nationally ranked football team and UH surpassing $110 million in research awards, Cougars have much to be proud of.  Cougar pride will be on full display as the campus community joins alumni in celebrating homecoming 2009.

Themed “Eyes on the Pride,” this year’s homecoming runs Oct. 17–26 and will include such Cougar traditions as the annual parade, the Tailgate Spirit Challenge, “Go Coogs Day” and the much-anticipated football game against the Southern Methodist University Mustangs.

Cougars are urged to show up, wear red and be loud when the football team tackles SMU at 6:30 p.m., Oct. 24 at Robertson Stadium. Prior to the game, the Tailgate Spirit Challenge will pit the UH Alumni Association’s many different constituent groups against each other in a battle of barbecue and Cougar pride. Held every homecoming, the competition runs from 9 a.m.– 6 p.m., Oct. 24.

Also on game day, the annual homecoming parade takes place at 3 p.m. at Cullen Boulevard and includes student-decorated golf carts, floats and bands. The parade route ends at the stadium. A cougar, which will be housed in a display trailer, will be the featured attraction at the parade. Fans will get another chance to see the cougar, which comes from the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and view a Shasta history display from 4–6:30 p.m. at the east side of the stadium.

The festivities begin days earlier, starting with a charity 5k run/walk that benefits UH’s Rock the Block Community Service Program. The event begins at 8 a.m., Oct. 17 at the University Center. Proceeds from the entry fee will fund the purchase of energy-efficient appliances for a Third Ward house, according to Michael Hardy, director of the Metropolitan Volunteer Program (MVP), which coordinates the community service program. Hardy hopes the entire campus community will participate and help MVP reach its $10,000 goal. As a part of the project, MVP volunteers will also be mowing the lawn and doing basic repairs to the home next semester.

On Oct. 21, the fun continues with “Go Coogs Day,” which starts at 11:30 a.m. at Cullen Family Plaza. The campus community will be treated to games, music and refreshments. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear red and rub the Cougar paw for good luck, another UH tradition.

For the entire list of events and updates, visit
http://www.uh.edu/news-events/calendars/special-events/homecoming/index.php.

Staff reports