University of Houston Athletics
Perdue Maintains Support of Cougar Athletics Throughout His Own Success
May 17, 2004
It is a story we enjoy hearing. It's a story about giving back to those who, because of their initial support, gave opportunity, hope or direction. For Jim Perdue, Sr., one of America's Top 100 attorneys, that story involves the University of Houston.
Perdue recently joined the Corbin J. Robertson Society within UH's Cougar Pride organization and has attended almost every football game since 1965.
"While many people talk about some of UH's greatest historic events, I have been fortunate to witness most of them first hand," Perdue said. "Through my association with Bill Yeoman, I saw us beat Michigan State in 1967 and attended the first football game in the Astrodome. I also saw us play against Auburn, when they were the top-ranked team in the country, and I was at the Georgia game when we played them between the hedges. I also was at the Texas game in 1968, when we tied the Longhorns, 20-20."
When asked to name his favorite player, Perdue recalled three-Dick Post, Warren McVea and Andre Ware.
"I really liked watching Dickey Post play because he was tenacious and an incredible player," Perdue said. "Warren McVea was one of the most exciting players ever to be seen on a football field. He made such great moves that Bill Yeoman would complain the other Cougar players would stop and watch him run with the ball during practice. Then, Andre Ware won the Heisman Trophy, so he would have to be included in that list."
This past year, Perdue also witnessed new head coach Art Briles lead the Cougars to a bowl game for the first time in seven years.
"I really like Art Briles and think he has a chance to be a great coach," Perdue said. "He is turning the program around and his team is fun to watch."
Perdue's association with the University of Houston began in 1957 after he graduated from high school in Galena Park.
"We were poorer than dirt back then," Perdue said. "I was watching most of my friends go off to college when the coach for the debate team at UH called and offered me a partial scholarship. It wasn't that much, but it allowed me to get started."
Perdue began attending UH that fall and worked full-time in a smelter on Market Street. A few weeks later, he had enough money saved to buy a car.
A year after he began attending UH, Perdue earned a full scholarship that was endowed by Texaco. He continued to receive the scholarship through law school.
In 1960, Perdue read the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, and after reading the book, decided to "become a lawyer just like Atticus Finch, (the lead character in the book)."
During his last year as an undergraduate student, Perdue took advantage of a program UH offered which allowed him to count his final year as the first year of law school. By 1963, he had graduated from the UH Law School.
"I attended school every semester from 1957-63," Perdue said. "I also graduated first in my graduating class in law school."
Following graduation, Perdue joined the Navy and spent most of his active duty on a seaplane tender performing rescue work. It was aboard a plane that Perdue discovered how much he missed attending athletic events. He decided to attend UH football games regularly when he was discharged.
"I had only been able to attend a football game or two while attending school," Perdue recalled. "But, after returning home, I bought a block of season tickets and have been attending games ever since."
In addition to attending UH football games, Perdue began a highly successful career as a personal injury and medical malpractice attorney. He is one of only 100 members of "The Inner Circle of Advocates"- a group limited in size to the Top 100 plaintiff lawyers in the country.
"Like Atticus Finch, I wanted to take cases which help the little guys stand up for their rights," Perdue said. "Isn't that what the University of Houston is all about? We have had to fight for everything we have attained as a University."
A plaintiff attorney, Perdue also was an adjunct professor for the UH School of Law until time constraints in his law practice prevented him from teaching full time. He currently serves as a guest lecturer for the school.
Perdue wrote three text books which have been used in the UH School of Law curricula. They are the first and second editions of Law of Texas Medical Malpractice (1976 and 1985), and the Law of Texas Product Liability. Overall, Perdue has written seven books with his latest being I Remember Atticus: Aspiring Story Every Trial Lawyer Should Know, detailing legal history about famous trial lawyers, judges and persevering litigants.
. He also writes articles for the Texas State Bar and the Journal of Association of Trial Lawyers.
"If it had not been for the University of Houston, I would be climbing ladders on the ship channel," Perdue said. "I am grateful for the opportunity the University gave me."
Editor's Note: The Corbin J. Robertson Society is a new giving society created by the University of Houston Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to serve as the program's cornerstone support. Each membership in the Corbin J. Robertson Society underwrites the current cost of one full athletic scholarship. For further information on becoming a Corbin J. Robertson Society member, please contact 713-743-9450.