Houston Athletics Hall of Honor Gala Honors Greats and Sets Records
11/3/2023 11:59:00 AM | General, Cougar Pride
Seven Class of 2023 Athletics stars inducted into Hall of Honor as event raises more than $1.2 million
HOUSTON – Seven award-winning University of Houston Athletics stars…
Master of Ceremonies Jim Nantz…
A beautiful venue…
A glorious night with a record-setting $1.2 million raised…
The University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor Gala to celebrate the Class of 2023 was everything a Houston Cougar fan could dream of… and much more.
Set at The Post Oak Hotel in Houston, the Hall of Honor Gala celebrated the accomplishments of seven outstanding Cougars: Mike Booker (Men's Golf), Michael Bourn (Baseball), Rick Brewer (Baseball), Sonya Watkins Ellis (Women's Basketball), Simon Fletcher (Football), Sandra Cummings Glover (Women's Track) and Case Keenum (Football).
Under the leadership of Hall of Honor chairs Ashley and Clark Beecher and Meredith and Patrick Chastang, the evening featured a live, Big Board, silent auction, dinner and presentation ceremonies and was emceed by three-time Emmy Award winner and five-time National Sportscaster of the Year, Houston's very own, Jim Nantz ('81).
As the Cougars prepared for their first Big 12 Conference Football game against TCU inside TDECU Stadium, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark joined the festivities and offered his insights on what the University of Houston will bring to the league and where the conference is heading.
"We were pretty intentional putting the Hall of Honor Gala ahead of our first Big 12 game. With MC Jim Nantz and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark with our past honorees, it was spectacular the way the night came together," Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "We set a new standard for what future events will look like around the University of Houston."
By the time the evening had ended, a record-setting $1.2 million had been raised for scholarships and to support the immediate needs of the Athletics Department.
"This was an incredible testament to our donors and the people who worked to make that night spectacular," Pezman said. "It's hard to express how grateful to those who made that possible."
The Beechers and the Chastangs spearheaded the effort to put the Hall of Honor Gala together since the last Gala in 2021. They led numerous volunteers in planning the event for years, which culminated on the night of Sept. 14.
"We are eternally grateful to (Senior Associate Director of Athletics) Katina Jackson and our Chairs; Ashley Beecher and Meredith Chastang, as well as our Committee Chairs; Elaine Ebner, Cindy Lewis, Kathy Pappas, Marisol Pezman and Lisa Tagliarino and all those who helped provide a best-in-class event. It has raised the bar for everything that we do," Pezman said.
"The event has so many moving parts to it, and it took so many people and countless hours to put it together. Many people felt like it was one of our greatest events," Jackson said. "It brought such pride to them and showed our great history, where we are going and how much of which we have to be proud."
The 2023 class marked the 23rd class inducted into the Hall of Honor and the 12th since the Hall was reintroduced in 1998. The current class brought the membership to 119 individuals and two teams.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
Master of Ceremonies Jim Nantz…
A beautiful venue…
A glorious night with a record-setting $1.2 million raised…
The University of Houston Athletics Hall of Honor Gala to celebrate the Class of 2023 was everything a Houston Cougar fan could dream of… and much more.
Set at The Post Oak Hotel in Houston, the Hall of Honor Gala celebrated the accomplishments of seven outstanding Cougars: Mike Booker (Men's Golf), Michael Bourn (Baseball), Rick Brewer (Baseball), Sonya Watkins Ellis (Women's Basketball), Simon Fletcher (Football), Sandra Cummings Glover (Women's Track) and Case Keenum (Football).
Under the leadership of Hall of Honor chairs Ashley and Clark Beecher and Meredith and Patrick Chastang, the evening featured a live, Big Board, silent auction, dinner and presentation ceremonies and was emceed by three-time Emmy Award winner and five-time National Sportscaster of the Year, Houston's very own, Jim Nantz ('81).
As the Cougars prepared for their first Big 12 Conference Football game against TCU inside TDECU Stadium, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark joined the festivities and offered his insights on what the University of Houston will bring to the league and where the conference is heading.
"We were pretty intentional putting the Hall of Honor Gala ahead of our first Big 12 game. With MC Jim Nantz and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark with our past honorees, it was spectacular the way the night came together," Houston Vice President for Athletics Chris Pezman said. "We set a new standard for what future events will look like around the University of Houston."
By the time the evening had ended, a record-setting $1.2 million had been raised for scholarships and to support the immediate needs of the Athletics Department.
"This was an incredible testament to our donors and the people who worked to make that night spectacular," Pezman said. "It's hard to express how grateful to those who made that possible."
The Beechers and the Chastangs spearheaded the effort to put the Hall of Honor Gala together since the last Gala in 2021. They led numerous volunteers in planning the event for years, which culminated on the night of Sept. 14.
"We are eternally grateful to (Senior Associate Director of Athletics) Katina Jackson and our Chairs; Ashley Beecher and Meredith Chastang, as well as our Committee Chairs; Elaine Ebner, Cindy Lewis, Kathy Pappas, Marisol Pezman and Lisa Tagliarino and all those who helped provide a best-in-class event. It has raised the bar for everything that we do," Pezman said.
"The event has so many moving parts to it, and it took so many people and countless hours to put it together. Many people felt like it was one of our greatest events," Jackson said. "It brought such pride to them and showed our great history, where we are going and how much of which we have to be proud."
The 2023 class marked the 23rd class inducted into the Hall of Honor and the 12th since the Hall was reintroduced in 1998. The current class brought the membership to 119 individuals and two teams.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win in the Big 12. Click here to rise and be counted.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
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