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University of Houston Athletics
Houston Sports Awards Feature Strong Cougar Presence
12/15/2021 2:16:00 PM | Football, Men's Basketball
Houston well represented among finalists, honorees
HOUSTON – The University of Houston will be well represented at the fifth-annual Houston Sports Awards presented by Insperity on Feb. 3, 2022, at the Wortham Theater as finalists were announced Thursday.
In the "Coach of the Year" category, Houston Football Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson are among the nominees.
In "College Athlete of the Year" category, the Cougars are represented by Quentin Grimes (men's basketball), DeJon Jarreau (men's basketball) and Marcus Jones (football). Houston Men's Basketball's run to the NCAA Final Four is also a finalist for "Moment of the Year."
Holgorsen led Houston to an 11-2 record, including 11 consecutive victories, en route to an appearance in the 2021 Birmingham Bowl, set for Dec. 28. The Cougars went 8-0 in American play, marking the second undefeated conference season in program history.
Sampson led the Cougars to a 28-4 overall record and the program's first NCAA Final Four appearance since 1984. The Cougars posted a 14-3 record in American Athletic Conference play and reeled off three wins in as many days to capture the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship, a first since 2010.
Grimes, selected No. 25 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, led the Cougars and earned All-America Third-Team honors after averaging 17.8 points per game. He was a unanimous selection for the All-American Athletic Conference First Team and was named the league's Player of the Year, a first since 1993.
Jarreau was a steady leader for the Cougars in the starting lineup throughout the 2020-21 season. He was recognized as The American's Defensive Player of the Year and was a Second-Team honoree. The New Orleans native ranked among The American's Top-20 scoring leaders with 10.6 points per contest and posted the program's first triple-double since 1992 at the American Athletic Conference Tournament against Tulane.
Jones, a consensus All-American for Houston and Paul Hornung Award winner, leads the nation in punt return touchdowns (2) while ranking second in kick return scores (2), second in interceptions (5) and sixth in passes defended per game (1.4).
As previously announced, Houston alumnus Bill Worrell will be recognized with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for his 50 years of service to sports in the City of Houston.
Meanwhile, Cougar standout and Rockets legend Clyde Drexler will be recognized as part of the 2022 Class of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame. Drexler helped Houston to a pair of Final Four appearances and was named one of the 50 and 75 Greatest Players in NBA History.
The Houston Sports Awards is an annual star-studded awards show that brings together Houston's top athletes, both past and present, to commemorate, celebrate and recognize the year's sports achievements, sports icons, performers, and moments.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK. Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
In the "Coach of the Year" category, Houston Football Head Coach Dana Holgorsen and Houston Men's Basketball Head Coach Kelvin Sampson are among the nominees.
In "College Athlete of the Year" category, the Cougars are represented by Quentin Grimes (men's basketball), DeJon Jarreau (men's basketball) and Marcus Jones (football). Houston Men's Basketball's run to the NCAA Final Four is also a finalist for "Moment of the Year."
Holgorsen led Houston to an 11-2 record, including 11 consecutive victories, en route to an appearance in the 2021 Birmingham Bowl, set for Dec. 28. The Cougars went 8-0 in American play, marking the second undefeated conference season in program history.
Sampson led the Cougars to a 28-4 overall record and the program's first NCAA Final Four appearance since 1984. The Cougars posted a 14-3 record in American Athletic Conference play and reeled off three wins in as many days to capture the American Athletic Conference Tournament championship, a first since 2010.
Grimes, selected No. 25 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, led the Cougars and earned All-America Third-Team honors after averaging 17.8 points per game. He was a unanimous selection for the All-American Athletic Conference First Team and was named the league's Player of the Year, a first since 1993.
Jarreau was a steady leader for the Cougars in the starting lineup throughout the 2020-21 season. He was recognized as The American's Defensive Player of the Year and was a Second-Team honoree. The New Orleans native ranked among The American's Top-20 scoring leaders with 10.6 points per contest and posted the program's first triple-double since 1992 at the American Athletic Conference Tournament against Tulane.
Jones, a consensus All-American for Houston and Paul Hornung Award winner, leads the nation in punt return touchdowns (2) while ranking second in kick return scores (2), second in interceptions (5) and sixth in passes defended per game (1.4).
As previously announced, Houston alumnus Bill Worrell will be recognized with the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for his 50 years of service to sports in the City of Houston.
Meanwhile, Cougar standout and Rockets legend Clyde Drexler will be recognized as part of the 2022 Class of the Houston Sports Hall of Fame. Drexler helped Houston to a pair of Final Four appearances and was named one of the 50 and 75 Greatest Players in NBA History.
The Houston Sports Awards is an annual star-studded awards show that brings together Houston's top athletes, both past and present, to commemorate, celebrate and recognize the year's sports achievements, sports icons, performers, and moments.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK. Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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