University of Houston Athletics
Thursday's Game to Recognize Hairston; Giveaways Announced
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON - In honor of the passing of Houston Football letterman and Sgt. 1st Class Sam Hairston, Thursday's game vs. UCF has been named the Salute to Service Sam Hairston Heroes Game. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for special promotional giveaways and to help honor Hairston and those who continue to serve our country.
Houston meets UCF in a nationally-televised game, presented by Data Foundry, on ESPN Thursday at 6 p.m. inside TDECU Stadium. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
Hairston's service and commitment to our country will be recognized throughout Thursday's game, beginning with a pregame recognition during the Spirit of Houston's performance at the 20-minute mark. Hairston's wife, Tawanna, and stepson, Hayden, will serve as honorary captains with the Houston Football program Thursday.
A special presentation, honoring Hairston's family will follow during the second timeout of the first quarter. Fireworks will then light up TDECU Stadium during halftime and Houston Athletics and the Spirit of Houston will continue to pay tribute to the service men and women of our country with a medley of Armed Forces Service songs and an oversized American flag that will cover John O'Quinn Field.
ABOUT SAM HAIRSTON
Hairston was killed in August in Ghazni, Afghanistan when his unit took small-arms fire from the enemy.
Hairston, 35, competed as a linebacker and defensive lineman with Houston Football from 1997 to 2000. He played in 42 games during that time, posting 55 tackles with four sacks, an interception and fumble recovery.
Hairston was a paratrooper and platoon sergeant with A Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C.
Hairston joined the Army in 2003 and completed the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to 1st BCT in August 2013.
His awards included the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Among his qualifications were the Ranger tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Military Master Free Fall Parachutist Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.
THURSDAY PROMOTIONAL GIVEAWAYS
Wells Fargo - T-Shirts (5,000) - Gates 1&2
TDECU - Koozies (20,000) - All Gates
Student Veterans - U.S. Flags (5,000) - All Gates
ROTC - American flag-themed UH stickers & car magnets (5,000) - All Gates
Promotional items being given away when the gates open on Thursday include 5,000 t-shirts, presented by Wells Fargo, at gates 1 & 2 as well as 20,000 koozies, presented by TDECU at all gates.
The Student Veterans group will be handing out 5,000 U.S. flags, while the ROTC will be awarding those who arrive early with 5,000 American flag-themed UH stickers and car magnets at all gates.
2014 FOOTBALL MINI PLANS
For those Houston fans who are unable to make it to TDECU Stadium all season, three-game mini plans are available for purchase for $99.
The three-game mini plans give Houston Football the ability to secure tickets for the Oct. 2 game vs. UCF, the 2014 Fiesta Bowl champion, and any other two games this season. The remaining four games for UH fans to pick from consist of 2013 bowl game participants UNLV and Tulane along with Temple and Tulsa. Fans can purchase mini plans here or by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
SINGLE GAME TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game ticket sales for the inaugural season in TDECU Stadium start at $36 per person for reserved seats and $25 for general admission at any of Houston's seven home games, including 2014 Fiesta Bowl champion UCF, and can be purchased by calling the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.
YOUNG ALUMNI TICKET INFORMATION
University of Houston alumni from the last five years (2010-14) can purchase season tickets for just $125 (upper levels) and $175 (lower level) in specially designated Young Alumni sections with a multiplier of four times donations to Cougar Pride giving levels for the first five years after graduation. Each ticket consists of a $25 Cougar Pride donation with the four times Young Alumni multiplier, resulting in a $100 donation credit and a Cougar Pride parking pass in the TDECU Stadium Garage. Young Alumni can purchase tickets here or by calling 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
GROUP TICKET INFORMATION
Single-game group ticket sales for the inaugural season in TDECU Stadium are now on sale via the Houston Athletics Ticket Office. Groups of at least 10 or more can purchase tickets starting at just $21 per person to any of Houston's seven home games, including 2014 Fiesta Bowl champion UCF, by calling the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) or by clicking here.
