University of Houston Athletics
Ask the AD
6/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | General
My daughter has just been selected as a new Cougar cheerleader. Our family is interested in purchasing football tickets. May we purchase tickets at this time and how/where do we do that? I heard that the Rice game is already sold out. Is that true? (Debbie Urbanski)
Congratulations on your daughter being selected as a new Cougar cheerleader. We appreciate very much the important role our cheerleaders play with regard to spirit. They're great delegates to the University and our athletic interests. Football tickets are available by calling the ticket office at U of H. The number is (713) 743-9444. The Rice game is not sold out. We'll actually be seating 40,000 for the Rice, so therefore there are plenty of tickets still available. Again congratulations to your daughter and appreciate your calling for tickets today.
Hello Chet- Here's the truth. You are by far the BEST thing to happen to our University in a LONG LONG time. With you at the helm I honestly see no limitations as to what we can accomplish. My sincere concern is this... Art Smith retires/ you leave? It's my understanding you've been offered a contract extension and have so far refused to sign on for the future. Needless to say the possibility of you leaving REALLY scares us die hard Cougars. Coaches can come & go but you're the glue that will make athletics at the University of Houston legendary. What does the board of regents need to do in order to sign you on for the "long haul"? I'm not meaning a couple of years, I'm talking until you retire at age 90 or so. What can we as loyal alumni do to ensure those things happen? (Steve Roberts)
I appreciate your support very much. Over the last three years we've worked pretty hard in trying to put together the foundation for a great program. I'm very enthusiastic and sincerely believe the program will begin to turn the corner in the short term. Specifically regarding your comments?let me simply say that I've enjoyed being at the University of Houston very much. At this time, I have no interest or plans to leave the University. My contract carries for another couple of years and as we get closer to 2003, I'm sure I'll discuss with the administration their thinking regarding the administration of the intercollegiate program. What is best for the University will in fact be the case in the end. Thanks for your loyalty and most importantly your support.
Mr. Gladchuk, my grandfather George Leufven passed away last year and he was a faithful Cougar backer and maintained season football tickets for approximately 25-30 years. Additionally, in his younger days, he traveled to see many road games to places such as Los Angeles, Memphis, and Miami. Thanks to him, I got to see many remarkable Cougar teams throughout the years including Bill Yeoman's veer teams, the Phi Slama Jama era, and the Run 'n Shoot era. I also attended 3 Cotton Bowls with my grandfather against Maryland, Nebraska, and Boston College. The reason I'm e-mailing you is that I wanted to see if there is any type of recognition that UH gives to its long-term supporters? My grandmother accompanied my grandfather to Cougar football games for all but the last few years and I just know she would be overwhelmed to see that UH acknowledged my grandfather's undying devotion to Cougar athletics and the entire UH family. (Ken Palermo)
Thanks Ken for your insights and the information regarding your grandfather. I really appreciate his loyalty and support over the years. I would like to do something meaningful to recognize George. Let me think a little bit about it and come up with something that would be appropriate as an expression of our gratitude. He certainly reflects the type of loyalty that is so important in intercollegiate athletics today. Regardless of the ups and downs or the hurdles we cross over the years, consistent support and love for one's alma mater is a quality that motivates us all. Thanks again Ken for bringing this important information to my attention.
I have a shot putter who wants to know how to enter the Carl Lewis Meet at U of H in January 2002. Is there an e-mail for it? She has put over 40 ft. shot and 144' discus this year. Will be a senior in high school in 2002. (Bill Gaston)
Thanks for the information and the person that needs to be contacted is Leroy Burrell who is our Head Track Coach. Leroy's number is (713) 743-9467. If he's not in leave a voice mail message and I'm sure that he'll get back to you.
I was just wondering do you have a women's golf team? (Stacy)
We're beginning the process of implementing a women's golf team for the fall of 2002. This September we'll initiate interest in the coaching position and probably have someone aboard by mid-year. That will allow the new coach an opportunity to recruit some players through the winter and spring months who will enter as freshmen and be part of the inaugural team competing in the following fall. The person who is coordinating our efforts at this time is Diane Howell, our Senior Women's Administrator, who's putting together the logistics and a timetable to make this important sport a reality at U of H.
? Going back to your May 4th comments on Hofheinz and what is needed for renovations. You figure was 1.5 million. Are the plans already finished at this point? Is this figure concrete?
? With the huge # of businesses in Houston with a need for advertising and PR, I feel this money can be raised outside of a private donation through the use of sponsorship opportunities.
? Broken down, 150 businesses would only have to give a minimum of $10,000 (or 300 at $5000) for the college and all the prep sports that use the arena to have a showcase.
? Everyone can agree the City will only benefit from a rehab of the Hofheinz. The majority of funds will come from Houston based/large presence companies, BUT is not limited to them. National/state wide companies could also benefit from an increase in name recognition/good will in the huge Houston metro.
? With a sound business plan we can rehab the Hofheinz and set a precedent. UH is only going to have a limited amount of wealthy donors. Corporate donors are limited only by your resources to contact and follow up.
? Is anything resembling this type of campaign in the plans? I would like to volunteer my time. It would be an HONOR to get something going. Who would be my initial contact person? (Brian Chylinski)
Thanks Brian for your logical thinking regarding the renovation of Hofheinz Pavilion. There is no question...it's on the agenda to be addressed. The concept you speak to regarding the generation of funding is a technique we use on a regular basis. I will be the person that will initiate this project and now that we have Phase I of Robertson complete and the Softball Stadium behind us, the focal point will be in fact Hofheinz Pavilion. I'll keep your note on file and as we begin to generate some momentum we'll welcome your enthusiasm and contribution to the project.
I am an undergraduate attending the University, and I was curious about the Strength and Conditioning Center in the Athletics/Alumni Center. Is this facility only available to student participating in athletics at the University, or can any University student use these facilities? (Nick)
The new $54M Recreation Center that will be constructed on the east side of the campus will handle all the needs of our student body at large. Currently the structure within the Athletics/Alumni Center is available to student-athletes or active members of varsity teams. Be patient because over the next year and a half, you're going to realize a beautiful complex and one that will meet all the recreational, intramurals, club and personal fitness needs of our student body at large.
Has Conference USA made any efforts to replace its webside with a new and more reliable provider? (Richard Stahmer)
I know Conference USA is always looking for ways to upgrade its website. Whatever difficulties you may be having at this time, I'm sure are temporary. An appropriate and comprehensive information source is critical to the conference and if it's not working today, I guarantee it will be up and running very shortly.
What are the requirements for a UH student to try out for the UH cheerleading squad, and when are tryouts? (Celina Schaffer)
The requirements for trying out are simply are that you would be a fully matriculated student at U of H. If that's the case, contact Sean Garland, who heads up the Cheerleading program for us. His number is (281) 444-0334. I'm not sure when tryouts are scheduled but I know in the fall there are always opportunities for interested students to gather information and meet with the team.
I am going to be attending the University of Houston in the fall of 2001 and I would like to know when and where football tryouts are taking place. I would also like to know if there are any special steps that I needed to take to be eligible to play. (Russell Davis)
As a full time student, you're eligible to tryout for the football team as long as you pass an initial physical exam and academically qualified. You would then be extended the equipment and given an opportunity to workout with the squad. Regarding special steps, you simply need to call the football office at 713-743-9388. Make contact with our coaching staff and secure information as to when the team reports and how you would go about giving it a shot.
I am a recent graduate of the UTMB-Galveston physical therapy program and am looking to start working soon. I was hoping that you would be able to give me the name and contact information for the UH medical team. I am looking for any opportunities to gain experience in the area of sports medicine either paid or volunteer basis. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. (Brad Kerwin)
Brad, the person you'd need to talk to would be Mike O'Shea, who is our Head Trainer, and his number is (713) 743-9422. Give Mike a call. He's always looking for some qualified help.
What are the chances in the future that UH can once again host a 1st/2nd Round or Regional in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament? In the early to mid 80's, both 1st/2nd Round and Regional's came through here regularly. It has been 1986 since part of the tournament was played here. I know San Antonio, Austin and Dallas have played host several times and looking at the upcoming years, they will continue to play host. I would love to see it come back through Houston on a regular basis like it seems to go through other sites. (Rick Whelton)
One of the reasons why we're playing games in the Compaq Center in December is to gauge the community interest for college basketball in a venue of that nature. I would really enjoy hosting a 1st & 2nd round NCAA Tournament weekend. I believe we could secure corporate involvement and community sponsorship to the degree necessary. The question is whether or not the college basketball fan base will buy into the product and make a commitment to attend the games. The NCAA looks for those sites that can basically assure sellout crowds. There has been some difficulty over the last two years with attendance and they're now being more meticulous in their evaluation to ensure that the revenue generation for these weekend events is maximized. Bidding for a 1st/2nd Round Tournament game is not a problem. Convincing the committee that we can deliver on all fronts is an issue that needs to be carefully addressed. I'm hopeful as the University of Houston basketball program reemerges in the short term, we will build again more national credibility in the eyes of the NCAA community. Once that happens the chances of being awarded a site is more realistic. The other angle we'll use is when the new basketball arena is built downtown, we will definitely put in a bid to host. The NCAA has a pattern of awarding sites to cities where new venues are constructed. A new arena coupled with a successful basketball program and a fan base that illustrates their support for college basketball makes it a very real possibility.
