2 — Homecoming 2015
November 2 - 7, 2015
Message from the Chair Hello University of Houston students, alumni, faculty, staff and fans! My name is Isaiah Ross, and I am proud to be the Homecoming Chair for this year’s Homecoming Week. I have had the pleasure since January to work with an amazing group of students who are planning this year’s festivities. The six passionate and dedicated members of the Homecoming Board have been working hard to prepare exciting events for all members of the University of Houston community to enjoy. The University of Houston’s Homecoming has been held as the most highly anticipated event of the fall semester amongst students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community, from experiencing the Kick Off Pep Rally, to witnessing the announcement of the Homecoming Court, to cheering on the football team and every event in between. But what makes UH’s Homecoming truly unique are the relationships made, connections
re-established and the efforts to continue to lay the foundation for future Coogs. The University of Houston has so much to offer from its great diversity to its multitude of innovation and creativity fostered at the institution. Cougars are proud of past accomplishments and look forward to future endeavors with renewed spirit and Tier One aspirations. It’s a great time to be a Cougar, whether you’re an alumnus, a student, faculty, staff or a much loved friend of the University of Houston. Come one, come all! Come back to campus for Homecoming to reconnect to the good old days, celebrate everything that’s new and get excited about the bright future we have to look forward to. There’s something fun for everyone, and it’s all right here in your “home-sweet-Cougar-home!” The theme for Homecoming 2015 is Varsity Red! Varsity Red, in its infancy, meant taking the time to glorify and reflect on our illustrious university (as time progressed, Varsity Red trans-
Our events this year incorporate the history of our rich heritage, acknowledge current movements and serve our surrounding community. As you experience this year’s Homecoming at the University of Houston, I hope that you take the opportunity to use your Cougar Pride to reminisce on why you hold UH near and dear to your own heart. Be sure to check out our Homecoming website, www.uh.edu/homecoming, to find information about the events and ways to enjoy this year’s Homecoming! I hope you are looking forward to all that the Homecoming Board has planned. Continue to bleed red and white, and have fun at Homecoming 2015!
formed into much more). Varsity Red has evolved into a platform that we are also using to celebrate and highlight positive UH culture and existence.
VARSITY RED
is the official publication of the Homecoming. Layout and typesetting of the Homecoming Board Insert provided by the Center for Student Media.
Meet the Homecoming Board Chair Isaiah Ross, Graduate Student Higher Education
Fun fact: I was on Homecoming Court 2014 Why I love Homecoming: What makes UH’s Homecoming truly unique are the relationships made, connections re-established and the communal efforts to continue to lay the foundation for future Coogs. Assistant to the Chair: Amira Spikes Spirit Assistant Directors: Brittany Olootu, Norma Avila
Director of Productions Kendall Russell, Sophomore Hotel and Restaurant Management
ISAIAH ROSS CHAIR
Director of Court Mery Arce, Senior Mechanical Engineering
Vice Chair Tiara Parks, Senior Kinesiology Exercise Science
Fun fact: I’m obsessed with chocolate chip cookies and ketchup… but not together. Why I love Homecoming: I love homecoming because it really brings the University together as one. With over 40,000 students, this is the perfect time for every Cougar to proudly bleed red and be a Cougar. Assitant to the Vice Chair: Keanna Franklin
TIARA PARKS
VICE CHAIR
Fun fact: I’ve traveled to 15 countries including Australia! Why I love Homecoming: I love Homecoming because it is the one time dedicated to the celebration of not only who we are as students of such an amazing University, but it is also the time where we get to welcome back so many proud alumni. Homecoming reaffirms to present Cougars that being a Coog is for life no matter what your age is! Assistant to the Director of Court: Quia Brown, Jamal Colvin
KENDALL RUSSELL DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTIONS
MERY ARCE
DIRECTOR OF COURT
Director of Social Media & Assessment Sana Shahid, Senior Integrated Communication
Director of Marketing Brooklin Corbins, Senior Public Relations and Sports Administration
Fun fact: I love anything that glitters. I’m addicted! Why I love Homecoming: Homecoming is a time for past, present and future Cougars to come together to celebrate one thing we love and hold close to our hearts; our dear University of Houston. With all the changes happening at our university, Homecoming is a time to celebrate where we came from and where we are going. Assistants to the Director of Marketing: Lu Yao, Joseph Gallegos
Fun fact: I love to sing and write. Why I love Homecoming: It gives me event management experience. Assistant to Director of Production: Kara Bacon
BROOKLIN CORBINS DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Fun fact: I have dual nationality, American and Pakistan Why I love Homecoming: Because it fosters Cougar pride and gives us all, students, faculty, staff and alumni a reason to wear red for an entire week! Assistant to the Director of Social Media & Assessment: Ajay Joshi
SANA SHAHID
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA & ASSESSMENT
Varsity Red
Homecoming 2015— 3
1968
Homecoming by the numbers
20
LYNN :
11/2
YEARS OLD
WHEN
EUSAN
HOMECOMING EVENT SCHEDULE
CROWNED
1ST HOMECOMING QUEEN ATTENDANCE
Courtesy of The Cougar
32,205
2014
11/3
HOMECOMING
946 1 1ST UH 16 DATE
Courtesy of UH
TOTAL: YARDS3 201
HOMECOMING
GAME
621
NOV.
THE :
11/4
SC South Lawn 4 P.M. - 6 P.M.
SC Plaza 5 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Build-A-Coog SC Houston Room 12 P.M. - 2 P.M.
Campus Rec Center 4 P.M. - 7 P.M.
Silent Disco
MARSHALL
HOMECOMING GAME
11/5
SCORE 100-3
SC Houston Room 7 P.M. - 10 P.M.
Strut Your Stuff SC Houston Room 5 P.M. - 7 P.M.
Mum Making 101
1968 AGAINST TULSA
HOMECOMING GAME
Courtesy of The Cougar
YEARS OLD
11/6
WHEN
(with CEO) SC Legacy Lounge 7 P.M. - 10 P.M.
Rock the Campus (with MVP) Butler Plaza 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Homecoming Fiesta
CROWNED
AFRICAN AMERICAN HOMECOMING KING
201
Courtesy of The Cougar
Spirit Day Can-Struction
Coog-Lympics
AGAINST
21 1ST
M.D. Anderson Library 7 A.M. - 1 A.M.
Block Party
FINAL :
TOM 7 5 HERMAN: HOMECOMING GAME 1ST AS HEAD COACH
(With Frontier Fiesta) TDECU Stadium Tailgating Area 5 P.M. - 7 P.M.
Lupe Fiasco & Wale
NOV.
VINCENT : HARDING
Lynn Eusan Park 5 P.M. - 8 P.M.
11/2-11/5 Homecoming Exhibit
AFRICAN AMERICAN
GAME :
Kick-Off Pep Rally
11/7
Hofheinz Pavilion 8 P.M. - 11 P.M. Doors open at 7 P.M.
Homecoming Game TDECU Stadium Time TBA
4 — Homecoming 2015
November 2 - 7, 2015
Alumni support brings spirit to Homecoming Since 1940, the UH Alumni Association (UHAA) has served and supported the University of Houston. The association encompasses over 200,000 alumni and friends in the community it calls home. From student scholarships and legislative advocacy, to alumni networks and communications, UHAA is working to enhance the value of your degree and your alumni experience. UHAA also continues to build new relationships that are designed to better serve UH alumni with rewarding career services, stronger national networks, and other meaningful programs, including their brand new community service project opportunities and superior student recruitment and mentoring. One of the well-known ways the association reaches alumni and students every year is through its Cougar 100 Event. This is an event that uplifts and supports 100 local businesses that were established and/or are currently ran by UH Alumni. This gives Cougars, both young and seasoned, a chance to network with their own. There are also annual luncheons held to recognize the most outstanding businesses owned or led by high-achieving UH alumni. Within the UHAA,
Homecoming works collaboratively to engage, educate, and empower students to take action in the best interest of the student body and the University community.
DIVERSITY
Courtesy of The Cougar
wide talent show Strut Your Stuff and participating in the Homecoming Royalty process. UHAA hosts a variety of other events during homecoming week, but the biggest is their traditional home game tailgate Party in the Plaza. Alumni come together and build their Cougar pride before each home football game by grilling, setting up games, and bringing family and friends together
to show them what it really means to be a Cougar on campus. The UHAA does a fantastic job of being a supportive organization for alumni and current students as well. For additional information on the alumni association and its schedule of events, visit the UHAA home page at www.houstonalumni.com.
Personal growth and leadership go hand-inhand. Homecoming, as an organization, works to develop the student leaders by providing them with a diverse experience.
GROW TH
TRADITION
It is the responsibility of Homecoming to introduce and continue institutional traditions, which include an important legacy of equality and access to COOGS.
SPIRIT
ME ENGAGE
NT
Our spirit is rooted in the pride we have for UH’s academic excellence, its emerging culture of campus involvement, student success resources and traditions.
there are various clubs and networks that helps the association reach each alumni in the organization on an individualistic basis. For example, there are 11 different college-based alumni associations that correspond with the different colleges at UH. There are also clubs and networks for those alumni that want to be a part of the continuing tradition but are no longer in the Houston area. These clubs and networks reach other states such as Georgia, New York, Illinois, California and many more. To add to the rich diversity of UH, the UHAA also brings its own diverse spin with its various special interest alumni associations. These include organizations such as the Black Alumni Association, Hispanic Alumni Association, and the Spirit of Houston Alumni Association. When it comes to Homecoming, UHAA plays a much appreciated part in one of UH’s oldest traditions. Many alumni offer their help through the association by serving on the Homecoming Steering committee and offering valuable insight to help mold the week of tradition, spirit, and festivities. Alumni have also helped out with other aspects, such as being judges for the large campus
We desire unity not uniformity. Homecoming strives to create an unconditionally inclusive environment at UH which celebrates the diversity of our institution and brings the campus community closer together.
HOMECOMING 2015
CORE VALUES
Courtesy of Homecoming
Watch Coogs strut their stuff Strut Your Stuff is an annual homecoming talent show and variety event that gives University of Houston Cougars a chance to prove who has the most Cougar pride. All organizations and individuals alike are able to sign up and are given the chance to showcase their hidden talents through acts such as singing, dancing, acting or just plain fun! Strut Your Stuff has been a University of Houston tradition since the early 1990s. Every year since its initiation, Strut Your Stuff has grown to have as many as 1,000 attendees at a show. Coogs come and watch their fellow Coogs strut their stuff with enthusiasm. Individuals, groups and campus organizations gather together to compete to prove who is worthy to be crowned that year’s talent show
champion. To ensure high energy and school spirit is incorporated, Strut Your Stuff will have a panel of three judges and two hosts. Each performance is fairly judged, and the individual or group with the highest score wins the grand prize of the show, which in previous years has reached as high as $1,000. Previous years have had dozens of acts performing for the crown and 1,000 students watching their every move and misstep. Come and join your fellow Coogs this year and watch the best of the best perform. Will they have what it take to be crowned this year’s winner? Better yet, will you? Come find out at this year’s Strut your Stuff Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. Go Coogs!
Varsity Red
Homecoming 2015— 5
10 ‘Coog-tastic’ ways to celebrate Homecoming 1. Bring your
school spirit to our Kick Off Pep Rally
4. Make our campus
beautiful by volunteering for Rock the Campus
8. Watch Lupe Fiasco
and Wale at the Homecoming Concert
5. Cheer on the Cougars
2. Show off
your talent at Strut Your Stuff
3. Bring your
artistic skills to Mum 101
as they beat Cincinnati
6. Participate in the
Cougar Spirit Cup
7. Wear red all week
The faces of Cougar Spirit Spirit of Houston The Spirit of Houston is an icon for the University, the city of Houston and even the State of Texas. The band performs at all home football games and travels to select away games throughout the football season. While some might think members have to be music majors to join, that’s not the case. The band is open to all university students and incoming freshman in all majors. In fact, the band is actually composed of an almost equal mix of music majors and non-music majors, and every member in the marching band receives a band scholarship for involvement with the organization. The Spirit of Houston will be performing with local band The Suffers during halftime at Saturday’s game. Helmet Buggy Beauties In the early 1970s, a new spirit addition was introduced to the University of Houston. A golf cart was retrofitted with a fiberglass football helmet that was painted scarlet and white with the UH logo. After each UH touchdown, the buggy would be driven around the stadium celebrating the event. In addition, four female students chosen by the administrative and coaching staffs would ride on the buggy and wave to the fans during the celebration. Cougar Cheerleaders Squad members cheer and perform at football games and men’s and women’s home basketball games. In addition, cheerleaders travel to all post-
Courtesy of UH
season football bowl games and basketball tournaments. The squad also represents the university at many university and community events. The University of Houston Cheer Program is comprised of up to 35 talented female and male cheerleaders and is coached by Jasmine Arnold. The squad has won numerous NCA and UCA Collegiate Camp Championships. Cougar Dolls The Cougar Dolls Dance Team’s main purpose is to entertain, energize and inspire at designated University of Houston athletic contests and promotional events. The dance team consists of approximately 1623 members. The team covers all home football and men’s and women’s basketball games.
9.
Tailgate before the game
10. Support and vote for
Homecoming Court
6 — Homecoming 2015
November 2 - 7, 2015
Meet your candidates for Homecoming King
Serjio Brereda Nominated by: Pi Kappa Phi and Adaptive Athletics at UH Fun Fact: Majoring in political science
Brett Edleman Nominated by: Sigma Phi Epsilon Fun Fact: Loves to travel with family and is an avid hunter
Felix Garza Nominated by: College of Technology Fun Fact: Adventurous traveler who loves culture and ruins
Ryan Lilly Nominated by:Pi Kappa Alpha Fun Fact: Before attending UH, he played college baseball for two years
HOW TO VOTE
Chris Pinto Nominated by: Metropolitan Volunteer Program Fun Fact: Has an obsession with anything related to math
Taylor Rouleau Nominated by: College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Fun Fact: Has been stung by a stingray
Sam Stilley Nominated by: Kappa Sigma Fraternity Fun Fact: Sings like a Grammy winner in the shower
Sign in to Get Involved to cast your vote. For more about the UH 2015 Homecoming Court, visit www.uh.edu/ homecoming/candidates.
Meet your candidates for Homecoming Queen
Gabriela Chen Nominated by: Pi Kappa Phi Honor Society Fun Fact: Volunteers at rehabilitation gym every week
Aya Elsaadi Nominated by: Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority Fun Fact: Majoring in biology
Murietta Flores Nominated by: The Council of Ethnic Organizations Fun Fact: Always first in line at football games
Lisa Forger Nominated by: Phi Mu Fun Fact: Will appear in a book, “Ballerina Project Houston”
Melissa Jinks Nominated by: Student Program Board Fun Fact: Does not eat anything colored orange
Melanie Lindorfer Nominated by: Alpha Chi Omega Fun Fact: Loves puzzles, crafting, board games and video games
Kryztal Vazquez Nominated by: Sigma Kappa Fun Fact: Skipped the second grade
Kelsi Wiechkoske Nominated by: Delta Zeta Sorority Fun Fact: Member of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Varsity Red
Homecoming 2015— 7
Houston’s History of Homecoming
From left, Dr. Suresh Khator, President and Chancellor Renu Khator, 2014 Homecoming Queen and King Brooke Sullivan and Evan Lucas and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Dr. Richard Walker | Courtesy of The Cougar
1946 – First Homecoming on Nov. 16, dedicated to ex-students who served in WWII 1947 – Shasta named at the bonfire Friday night before the Homecoming Game on Nov. 22. 1951 – Homecoming dedicated to the Cullens on Sept. 22. The winning float that year was a replica of the front of the Cullen Building with “Win for the Cullens.” 1959 – Ugly Man Plaque presentation given to Wayne Dessens. Before there was a Homecoming King, UH gave an award to a representative of the fraternity or sorority pair who raised the most money for various campus causes. 1965 – First Homecoming played in the Astrodome, Cougars beat Ole Miss 17-3 1968 – Lynn Eusan named first African American Homecoming Queen. Cougars Beat Tulsa 100-3 1972 – Man comes in second place in Homecoming Queen race 1976 – Competing in its first year in the Southwest Conference, Houston Football won the league championship with a 10-2 overall record and advanced to the Cotton Bowl. There, the Cougars claimed a 30-21 win over No. 4 Maryland behind the play of senior defensive tackle Wilson Whitley, who won the 1976 Lombardi Award, given to the nation’s top college lineman. 1984 – For the first time in 35 years, the Homecoming parade was held downtown. Olympic track star and current assistant track and field coach Carl Lewis was named as the parade’s honorary Grand Marshal. 1989 – Decided that UH would no longer keep a live Cougar on campus as a mascot after the death of Shasta V. 1989 – Andre Ware, quarterback, won the 55th Annual Heisman Trophy. He passed for 517 yards and made six touchdowns in first half against SMU. UH won 95-21. 1990 – UH and Texas Christian University broke the NCAA re-
Lynn Eusan appears flabbergasted following announcement that she had been selected Homecoming Queen as escort Dwight Allen rushes to embrace her. | Courtesy of Houstonian
Carl Lewis at a UH football game in 2012 | Courtesy of Houstonian A float in the form of the Cullen Building rolls down the street during the 1951 Homecoming parade | Courtesy of Houstonian
cord for the most passing yards in a game. Houston beat TCU 56-35. 1996 – Homecoming celebrates its 50th birthday with an overtime victory of 56-49 against Southern Mississippi at Robertson Stadium. 2001 – The last year the Cougars faced the Cincinnati Bearcats for their homecoming game, UH came out on top with a 23-20 win. 2002 – UH celebrates 40 years of African American excellence as part of the Homecoming celebrations. 2007 – Case Keenum played the first full game of his collegiate career with two touchdowns in Homecoming game against Marshall. UH won 35-28. 2008 – Renu Khator investiture ceremony became part of the Homecoming festivities . 2011 – Case Keenum led the team to a 13-1 record, a Ticket City Bowl victory over Penn State, and a #18 finish in the AP poll.
In 2008, Case Keenum ranked first nationally in total offense and second in total passing yards | Courtesy of The Cougar
WANT MORE COVERAGE OF COUGAR FOOTBALL?
Read The Cougar’s football email edition at www.thedailycougar.com.
Visit www.coogtv.com for CoogTV’s latest episodes of In the Game.
8 — Homecoming 2015
November 2 - 7, 2015
Lupe Fiasco performs Friday night at Hofheinz Chicago native Lupe Fiasco, born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, is a Grammy winning American hip hop artist who is considered one of the pioneers of conscious hip hop. Fiasco got his first big break in 2006 with the success of his first album, “Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor.” Since then he has worked with superstars Jay Z, Chris Brown and Ed Sheeran. Fiasco’s influences include some of hip hop’s greatest: Nas, N.W.A., De La Soul and Mos Def, to name a few. What sets Fiasco apart from the rap giants of today is his focus on social issues. He was a proponent of the Occupy movement, released a single to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and summited Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness about those worldwide who live without access to clean drinking water. His anti-establishment views, however, only add to his exceptional lyricism that uses the rap medium as a way to show, not tell, his message, which has resonated with many today. His second album, “Lasers,” debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Fiasco’s latest release, a six-song mixtape called “Pharaoh Height 2/30,” was released Aug. 29. Make sure to catch him on stage at Hofheinz Pavilion on Friday. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Student tickets are on sale for $15 at Ticketmaster.com or the Entertain Houston Ticket Office at TDECU Stadium. For more information, visit uh.edu/spb.
‘Gifted’ hip hop artist Wale plays Homecoming concert Grammy-nominated rapper Wale is one of the most idiosyncratic talents in hip-hop. The Washington, D.C. native began unleashing his distinct mixtapes in 2005, with his debut album, “ATTENTION DEFICIT,” arriving in 2009. After signing with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group imprint in 2011, he released his breakthrough sophomore album, “AMBITION” – which spawned the Grammy-nominated hit single “Lotus Flower Bomb (feat. Miguel)” – followed by 2013’s “THE GIFTED,” which debuted atop Billboard’s “Top 200 Albums” chart. Wale released his highly anticipated fourth studio album, “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING,” on March 31, 2015, which is his most eclectic, entertaining and personal album to date, and features the hit single “The Matrimony (feat. Usher).” The album sees Wale continuing his famed
“About Nothing” mixtape trilogy, inspired by his favorite TV show, Seinfeld – a relationship that has since blossomed into a real life friendship between Wale and Jerry Seinfeld himself. The legendary comedian is prominently featured on “THE ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING,” serving as the album’s conscience, according to Wale. In addition to being one of the most prominent figures in music today, Wale has become a thriving entrepreneur. He serves as the CEO of a hat & accessory line, WRKNG TITLE, as well as also recently being named creative ambassador for the NBA’s, Washington Wizards. For more information on Wale, please visit: www.walemusic.com. Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday at Hofheinz Pavilion, and the show starts at 8. Student tickets are on sale for $15 at Ticketmaster.com or the Entertain Houston Ticket Office at TDECU Stadium. For more information, visit uh.edu/spb.