Cougar Red Fridays: Sparking Spirit, Building Tradition - University of Houston
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Cougar Red Fridays: Sparking Spirit, Building Tradition

DSA News
April 30, 2025

Every Friday, the University of Houston shines a little brighter. Cougar Red Fridays (CRF), a beloved campus tradition, invite students, faculty, and staff to wear red and proudly show their Cougar Pride. More than a weekly wardrobe choice, this initiative strengthens our collective identity and celebrates the vibrant spirit that makes UH unique.

The Outdoors is Something Special

To amplify awareness, the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) launched a fresh campaign this spring featuring energetic pop-up events, digital promotions, and social media engagement. With record-breaking turnout and growing enthusiasm, this marks just the beginning. As we move forward, the focus will be on engaging even more students—especially those living on campus—to make Cougar Red Fridays a signature part of the residential experience.

Cougar Red Fridays are more than a tradition—they are a visible declaration of pride, belonging, and unity. Whether you are a first-year student in Cougar Village, a staff member in the Student Center, or a proud alum out in the city, wearing red on Fridays connects you to something bigger: the heart of the UH community.

To bring this tradition to life, the Division of Student Affairs has rolled out a range of engaging activities:

  • Surprise Pop-Up Parties across campus offering free red T-shirts, snacks, and giveaways.
  • CRF Digital Campaigns with bold signage and digital displays in high-traffic areas like the Student Center and residential halls.
  • Social Media Highlights using hashtags like #CougarRedFriday and #CougarPride to encourage students and staff to post, share, and celebrate their Cougar spirit online.

One standout event—the CRF Pop-Up hosted by the VPSA’s office—drew over 500 attendees, the highest turnout to date. With the Dean of Students cruising around campus in a golf cart, students were met with Cougar spirit in motion, literally!

Friendly competition has also made its way into the celebration. The popular “Dr. Dan’s Cougar Red Friday Challenge” encourages departments to show off their red in coordinated, creative ways—fostering school spirit among faculty and staff and leading by example for students.

To support ongoing engagement, the CRF website serves as a central hub for updates and events, while CoogNews and Paws-Ups (Catalyst) amplify the message each week. The initiative continues to build momentum, and the next phase will focus on growing awareness among residential students, aiming to make Cougar Red Fridays part of the weekend rhythm of campus life. Wear red. Show your pride. Be part of the tradition.

Written by Dhivyadharshini Selvaraj – Marketing and Communications Coordinator- Student Affairs and Germaine Washington, Director of Marketing and Communications – Student Affairs