University of Houston Athletics
Houston Pair Enshrined Into Texas Sports Hall Of Fame
2/29/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 29, 2012
Waco, Texas - Former University of Houston greats Andre Ware and Fred Couples were enshrined into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame this evening. The induction committee, chaired by Texas Football Magazine founder Dave Campbell, officially welcomed its Class of 2011 presented by Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Companies Wednesday evening in Waco.
Joining Couples and Ware at the enshrinement ceremony were fellow inductees Shawn Andaya,Gary Blair,Mack Brown,G.A. Moore Jr.,Dave Parks,Tobin Rote,Bubba Smith andLovie Smith.
"What a special evening for Andre (Ware), Fred (Couples) and their fellow inductees," Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades said from Waco. "Both men are shining examples for our student-athletes at Houston, not just because of their competitive excellence, but also for their contributions away from the game. We are so honored to be able to join these two great Houston Cougars as we celebrate our rich tradition and exciting future."
A native of Dickinson, Texas, Ware was college football's top player in 1989, throwing for 4,699 yards and 44 touchdowns en route to the 1989 Heisman Trophy and Davey O'Brien awards. He set 26 NCAA records over the course of his junior season and led the Cougars to back-to-back nine-win campaigns, including a berth in the 1988 Aloha Bowl. In 1989 Ware led the NCAA in total offense at 423.7 yards per game and the club averaged an incredible 53.6 points on 624.9 yards of total offense. To illustrate Ware's explosiveness, he set an NCAA record with 517 yards passing in the first half vs. SMU on Oct. 21, 1989.
"I would like to congratulate Andre and Fred on this wonderful achievement," Houston Head Football Coach Tony Levine said from Waco. "Both men have represented our University in a first-class manner, on the field of competition and in their professional lives, and continue to be tremendous examples of what our student-athletes can accomplish here at the University of Houston."
Ware was a first team All-America pick as well in 1989 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. He left Houston following his junior season in 1989 and was a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in the NFL Draft. He returned to UH in 1996 to earn his degree in marketing.
Couples has enjoyed an incredible professional career after starring at Houston. A two-time All-American (1979-80) under another Texas Sports Hall of Famer, Dave Williams, Couples boasts 15 career PGA Tour victories, including a Masters Green Jacket in 1992. Over his career Couples has claimed PGA wins at: the Kemper Open (1983), Tournament Players Championship (1984), Byron Nelson Golf Classic (1987), Nissan Los Angeles Open (1991), Federal Express St. Jude Classic (1991), B.C. Open (1991), Nissan Los Angeles Open (1992), Nestle Invitational (1992), Masters Tournament (1992), Honda Classic (1993), Buick Open (1994), THE PLAYERS Championship (1996), Bob Hope Chrysler Classic (1998), Memorial Tournament (1998) and the Shell Houston Open (2003).
The Seattle, Wash., native has represented the United States on five Ryder Cup and five Presidents Cup teams and was the captain of the Presidents Cup in 2009, leading the team to victory.
In addition, both Houston greats join their former collegiate head coaches in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Former Houston Head Golf Coach Dave Williams was inducted in 1983, while Houston Football Coach Jack Pardee was inducted in 1987.
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