University of Houston Athletics
Houston Rising: Campaign to Compete and Win in the Big 12 Conference off to Quick Start
8/30/2022 2:00:00 PM | General, Cougar Pride
Achievement reflects drive for championship success
HOUSTON – Bolstered by the momentum behind the Houston Rise campaign, Houston Athletics is building towards one of the strongest fundraising years on record for the department. Generous donors have responded to the campaign's important call, with recent contributions fueling confidence and excitement.
Several transformational Houston Rise pledges represent highlights, including a $10 million anonymous gift announced in June and a more recent, $5 million pledge from longtime supporters, Rusty and Tricia Penick.
Other points of note include a new, first-of-its-kind partnership with Shipley Do-Nuts, and multiple six-figure, leadership pledges from a growing number of rising alumni.
"We're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish to this point through the campaign," said Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman. "It's a lot of incredible work by the staff and so many who have helped us bring our donors back to our program. It's a testament to the vision and support from those who have bought in with what we're trying to do which is competing in the Big 12 and winning at a very high level."
Perhaps most noteworthy is the response to Houston Rise from former student-athletes. The campaign has benefitted from several notable, major-gift contributions from athletics alumni including former Houston Football student-athletes Saleem Fernandez and James Hong ('05).
"We are extremely excited about the future of Houston Athletics," said Hong. "The right leadership is in place, the vision is inspirational and we are moving into the Big 12 Conference. We are also," Hong continued, "experiencing a new level of engagement. The outreach from the athletic department is motivating many of us to come back, reengage and invest in the rise of Houston Athletics. We truly feel that our time is now and we need more of our alumni and the city supporting Houston Rise."
Join Houston Rise by becoming a Houston Football season ticket holder and energize TDECU Stadium this fall. There has never been a more important time to give our Cougars a competitive edge on gameday. Together, let's rise and fill TDECU Stadium with Cougar Pride!
CLICK HERE to Rise and be counted as a Houston Football season ticket holder.
To learn more about the campaign or how you can make a difference, contact the Cougar Pride Athletic Fund at cougarpride@uh.edu or 713-743-4684.
Several transformational Houston Rise pledges represent highlights, including a $10 million anonymous gift announced in June and a more recent, $5 million pledge from longtime supporters, Rusty and Tricia Penick.
Other points of note include a new, first-of-its-kind partnership with Shipley Do-Nuts, and multiple six-figure, leadership pledges from a growing number of rising alumni.
"We're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish to this point through the campaign," said Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman. "It's a lot of incredible work by the staff and so many who have helped us bring our donors back to our program. It's a testament to the vision and support from those who have bought in with what we're trying to do which is competing in the Big 12 and winning at a very high level."
Perhaps most noteworthy is the response to Houston Rise from former student-athletes. The campaign has benefitted from several notable, major-gift contributions from athletics alumni including former Houston Football student-athletes Saleem Fernandez and James Hong ('05).
"We are extremely excited about the future of Houston Athletics," said Hong. "The right leadership is in place, the vision is inspirational and we are moving into the Big 12 Conference. We are also," Hong continued, "experiencing a new level of engagement. The outreach from the athletic department is motivating many of us to come back, reengage and invest in the rise of Houston Athletics. We truly feel that our time is now and we need more of our alumni and the city supporting Houston Rise."
Join Houston Rise by becoming a Houston Football season ticket holder and energize TDECU Stadium this fall. There has never been a more important time to give our Cougars a competitive edge on gameday. Together, let's rise and fill TDECU Stadium with Cougar Pride!
CLICK HERE to Rise and be counted as a Houston Football season ticket holder.
To learn more about the campaign or how you can make a difference, contact the Cougar Pride Athletic Fund at cougarpride@uh.edu or 713-743-4684.
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