University of Houston Athletics
Check in with Yurachek - June 17, 2015
6/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | General
A very unassuming friend recently asked me, "Now that the Spring Sports season is over, do you take the summer off?" I believe I shocked him with the depth of my answer as I highlighted a summer full of initiatives that are in process within the University of Houston Department of Athletics as we continue to create opportunities for our student-athletes to have success academically, athletically and as members of the Houston community.
Currently, there are over 100 student-athletes from football, men's basketball and women's basketball who are attending summer school and taking advantage of the hours permitted for weight training, conditioning and skill instruction with their respective coaches.
We recently began a remodeling project of the current Elmer Redd Sports Performance Center that will includes a new floor with built in lifting platforms, a fresh coat of paint and updated UH branding.
The build out of the Cougar Café will begin this week as we create a state-of-the-art fueling station to enhance the daily nutritional intake for each of our student-athletes.
Our Cougar Pride staff continues on the "Drive for Five" as we look to increase our Cougar Pride Membership to 5,000 with a corresponding increase in annual giving to $5,000,000 by August 31. Collaboratively our ticket sales and fan engagement staffs are working tirelessly to reach our goal of 18,000 - 20,000 football season tickets sold, and to create a dynamic experience for each of our fans at TDECU Stadium this fall.
Work continues on the $25,000,000 Basketball Development Facility that is scheduled for completion later this Fall. The design of a new track and field complex is underway with construction set to begin in November. We continue to study and evaluate the opportunities to renovate Hofheinz Pavilion and construct a new Indoor Practice facility for football and a new clubhouse for baseball.
These are just a few of the areas of focus for the summer months as we continue to work through our two-year plan of strategic initiatives and move the UH Department of Athletics forward.
As I stated a few weeks ago, our goal is not to be good, it is not to be great, it is TO BE THE BEST. This is a process, but I assure you, we are heading in the right direction. As heard in the movie "A Good Lie" that I watched with my family over the weekend; "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Jump on our bus and let's enjoy the journey together.
Summer Off? No, not this year, we are busy building Champions for Life.
Go Coogs,
Click here to follow Hunter Yurachek on Twitter.
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News & Notes from Houston Athletics
Help me congratulate junior hurdler Issac Williams who finished third in the 110-meter hurdles last Friday, at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, earning All-America honors at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Williams capped off an impressive season, having won each of the 60-meter hurdles (indoor) and 110-meter hurdles (outdoor) American Athletic Conference Championships. Read more...
Houston senior safetyAdrian McDonaldhas been named the top defensive back in Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine in the veteran prognosticator's annual preseason publication released this week. McDonald, who was also named to Campbell's five-man Texas' College Player of the Year watch list, was joined by linebackerSteven Tayloron Campbell's All-Texas Preseason First Team while safetyTrevon Stewartwas named to the publication's second team. Read more...
Our coaches and staff are always looking to chase greatness. Women's Basketball Head CoachRonald Hugheyrecently participated in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Center for Coaching Excellence, an elite leadership training program held June 8-10 on the campus of Columbia University. Hughey was one of just 36 coaches invited to take part in the annual event. Read more...
The kickoff times for three more Houston Football games this fall have been set, including our home opener on Sept. 5 vs. Tennessee Tech. With a 7 p.m. kickoff inside TDECU Stadium, our fans will have a full day to prepare to be as loud as possible and provide an intimidating atmosphere for our visitors. If you haven't purchased your season tickets, starting at just $99, do so now at UHCougars.com/2015. Read more...
We invite our female fans out to TDECU Stadium on July 23 for the 2015 Women's Chalk Talk event with Tom Herman and the Houston Football program. The evening is full of fun and football as participants get a hands-on look at the Houston Football program! Read more...
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Compliance Tip of the Week
Photographs of Prospective Student-Athletes in Camp or Clinic Information and Advertisements (I)
Date Published: April 24, 2015
Item Ref: b
Interpretation:
The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a photograph of a prospective student-athlete (or multiple prospective student-athletes) taken during the normal course of camp or clinic activities (e.g., instruction, competition, meals, entertainment) may be used in camp or clinic information and advertisements for future camps or clinics. It is generally not permissible to use a photograph of a prospective student-athlete (or multiple prospective student-athletes) taken in circumstances other than the normal course of camp or clinic activities (e.g., staged or arranged photographs) in camp or clinic information or advertisements. However, once a prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent, the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received his or her financial deposit in response to the institution's offer of admission a staged or arranged photograph may be used in camp or clinic information and advertisements only in the same manner in which it is permissible to use photographs of student-athletes.
Players Mentioned
