Rubik Yeriazarian
C.T. Bauer College of Business
Graduate Student

On most days, Rubik Yeriazarian appears to be an easy-going, intelligent graduate student. The type of person you would normally expect to see browsing in a bookstore or having coffee on campus with friends. However, on University of Houston game days, Rubik leaves his role in academia behind and transforms into someone completely different—a crazed Cougar football fan.

Over the past few years, Rubik has become well known at Robertson Stadium for being one of the loudest and proudest Cougar supporters. He’s notorious for getting the crowd pumped up and yelling at officials after a bad call, but what really distinguishes Rubik from the rest of the Cougar faithful is his customary habit of painting his head to look like a UH football helmet.

Rubik’s presence at UH football games, Bauer Alumni tailgate parties, and on occasion, classes, is not something that most people can forget. He is a true fan and he is not afraid to let his red and white colors show. In addition to his painted and shaved head, Rubik also wears a red #4 UH football jersey to most of the games. It is his distinctive look that keeps people of all ages looking for him in the stands. In fact, Rubik is such a presence at UH home games that he was featured on EA Sports’ NCAA Football ‘07.

“Last year, at the first UH football game of the season against Rice, wherever I walked, people would stop me and say, ‘Dude! You’re in a video game,’” said Rubik. This unique acclaim is one that every UH fan can envy and one of which Rubik is definitely proud. Nevertheless, Rubik believes being a Cougar involves much more than just his usual role as a student and fan; it’s about being a part of the university.

“I think it’s important for students to be passionate about the university they attend,” said Rubik. “It’s not just a matter of pride, it is one of principle.”

As the 2007 UH football season approaches, Rubik says he ready to see the Houston Cougars fight their way to another Conference USA Championship. It's a certainty that he’ll be in Robertson Stadium doing his part to help them get there—shaved, painted and helping cheer the Cougars on to another winning season.