University of Houston Athletics
Baker Feels Change Blowing Through Athletics Department
1/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 26, 2004
HOUSTON - In the spring of 2003, the University of Houston Athletics Department announced the creation of Cougar Pride, an organization created to help raise money for the Cougar sports programs. Just a few months later, at least one die-hard Cougar fan has already noticed the effects.
With the Cougar Football program jumping out to a solid start to open the season and the stands at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium at near-peak capacity through the first two home games, there is no question that good things are ahead for the UH Athletics Department, said long-time supporter Joe Baker.
A 1968 UH graduate, Baker is now the founder and president of Search Consultants International, Inc., in Houston. Baker began his support of the Cougar Football program as an undergraduate and remains an active booster in 2003. In fact, he recently became a member of the Corbin J. Robertson Society for his annual donation of more than $11,000. That cost underwrites the current cost of one full athletic scholarship, a generous donation since UH provides more than 300 student-athletes with scholarship support.
"I've always been a big Cougar fan, because it was a big part of my college experience," Baker said. "The people who are my closest friends are my fraternity brothers and we still sit together at football games."
Baker and his friends have been a small part of the Cougar faithful, who have filed into Robertson Stadium this season to watch back-to-back wins against crosstown rival Rice and Mississippi State. With the increased number of fans and the Cougar offense putting up an average of 45 points per home game, an wave of excitement has swept through the festivities at UH Football games.
"I am extremely excited about our offensive system, with the quality of our players and the preparation that our staff puts into the game. They (the coaches) seem excited," Baker said. "People are having fun and that's why I started going to games as a student. If you 're not having fun, you're not going to come back."
Besides instilling school pride, an Athletics Department can help the entire University in many ways. For many people, the success of a school's athletic programs is among the first things they think of when regarding another school. As a result, donating money and time to the Athletics Department helps the entire University as a whole, Baker said.
"It's extremely important to give to all programs because athletics is in many ways the face of the university," Baker said. "We live in a sports-oriented society, and sports are important to a great majority of people in society. It's important to have the (UH Athletics) Program adequately typify the greatness of the University."
There is little doubt that UH Athletics Department is back on the road to national prominence. But for fans to continue to enjoy the success with Football and all UH programs, fans must donate both their time and money and continue to do so through the years to come.
"We have something started, and we can't let it die," Baker said.
