Matthew and Laura Hogue: Why We Rise
9/22/2022 11:00:00 AM | General, Cougar Pride
Selfless support embodies spirit of Houston Rise campaign
HOUSTON – When asked to explain what it means to be a Houston Cougar, Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman did not need long to articulate his response: "Nothing given, everything earned."
Pezman's definition, in many ways, tells the story of Matthew Hogue. The founder and owner of Hogue Landscape Services, one of Houston's most successful landscape architecture companies, Hogue's journey to the top of his profession has been anything but "given."
Hogue has earned his place as a leader in his field and now a proud and prominent supporter of Houston Athletics. At the heart of his success is the University of Houston.
"I was not your traditional student, as I left school only to return in 2018 to finish my degree," said Hogue. "Nonetheless, my experience was tremendous and my love for the university grew stronger each time I stepped foot on campus. I expressed my appreciation for UH through Houston Athletics. The Cougars reflect the rise of the university. A championship athletics program, to me, means a championship university."
Matt's passion for Cougar Athletics has never been lost on his wife Laura, who, despite graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, pulls for the Cougars with nearly as much conviction as her husband.
"Cougar Athletics has been a source of community for our family," said Laura, who is currently a highly successful leader in the oil and gas industry. "It has given us friends who now feel like family. I am not a Houston alumnus, but I feel like I am. I guess you could say I am proof that you do not have to go to the University of Houston to be a Houston Cougar. If you live in Houston, care about our community and wear red on Friday's, you are a Cougar."
Recently, the Hogue's once again expressed their devotion to Houston Athletics with a six-figure pledge to the Houston Rise campaign, dedicated to competitive excellence in the Big 12 Conference. To Matt and Laura, answering the Houston Rise call was never a question. "I started reading the initial Houston Rise press release and said, before I finished the third paragraph, that we are in," Hogue stated. "We have waited 30 years for this opportunity. When we start competition in the Big 12, we want to win. Houston Rise makes that possible."
The Athletic department is certain that dedication displayed by ardent supporters like the Hogue's is starting to influence others to come forward and embrace Houston Rise.
"First, we cannot thank Matt and Laura enough for their continued support of our student-athletes, our programs and our Houston Rise campaign," Pezman said. "The momentum that we've generated in having individuals like Matt and Laura come in and support us is tremendous. The support of the Houston Rise campaign is all about momentum. It's about where we've been, where we are and where we're going. To build upon that is critical and we cannot thank them enough for their support."
Join the Hogue's and prepare our Cougars to compete for championships in the Big 12 with a Houston Rise commitment. CLICK HERE to become part of this transformational campaign.
Pezman's definition, in many ways, tells the story of Matthew Hogue. The founder and owner of Hogue Landscape Services, one of Houston's most successful landscape architecture companies, Hogue's journey to the top of his profession has been anything but "given."
Hogue has earned his place as a leader in his field and now a proud and prominent supporter of Houston Athletics. At the heart of his success is the University of Houston.
"I was not your traditional student, as I left school only to return in 2018 to finish my degree," said Hogue. "Nonetheless, my experience was tremendous and my love for the university grew stronger each time I stepped foot on campus. I expressed my appreciation for UH through Houston Athletics. The Cougars reflect the rise of the university. A championship athletics program, to me, means a championship university."
Matt's passion for Cougar Athletics has never been lost on his wife Laura, who, despite graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, pulls for the Cougars with nearly as much conviction as her husband.
"Cougar Athletics has been a source of community for our family," said Laura, who is currently a highly successful leader in the oil and gas industry. "It has given us friends who now feel like family. I am not a Houston alumnus, but I feel like I am. I guess you could say I am proof that you do not have to go to the University of Houston to be a Houston Cougar. If you live in Houston, care about our community and wear red on Friday's, you are a Cougar."
Recently, the Hogue's once again expressed their devotion to Houston Athletics with a six-figure pledge to the Houston Rise campaign, dedicated to competitive excellence in the Big 12 Conference. To Matt and Laura, answering the Houston Rise call was never a question. "I started reading the initial Houston Rise press release and said, before I finished the third paragraph, that we are in," Hogue stated. "We have waited 30 years for this opportunity. When we start competition in the Big 12, we want to win. Houston Rise makes that possible."
The Athletic department is certain that dedication displayed by ardent supporters like the Hogue's is starting to influence others to come forward and embrace Houston Rise.
"First, we cannot thank Matt and Laura enough for their continued support of our student-athletes, our programs and our Houston Rise campaign," Pezman said. "The momentum that we've generated in having individuals like Matt and Laura come in and support us is tremendous. The support of the Houston Rise campaign is all about momentum. It's about where we've been, where we are and where we're going. To build upon that is critical and we cannot thank them enough for their support."
Join the Hogue's and prepare our Cougars to compete for championships in the Big 12 with a Houston Rise commitment. CLICK HERE to become part of this transformational campaign.
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