Athletes Inducted into Hall of Honor

The 2008 Houston Athletics Hall of Honor gala took place November 14 at the Hyatt Regency Houston.

The Class of 2008 included a record-breaking quarterback, a three-time golf All-America, a basketball legend that played for the Harlem Globetrotters, two Olympic medalists, an All-America shortstop, an NFL head coach, and former three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year.

The class is headlined by the first-ever induction of an entire team, as the historic 1967-68 men’s basketball squad has its place in the illustrious hall. This team played in the NCAA Final Four, but its game against UCLA in the Astrodome, known as the “Game of the Century,” put the national spotlight on Division I basketball.

Inducted into the 2008 Class was:
Football: David Klingler, Wade Phillips, and Riley Odoms
Basketball: “Sweet Lou” Dunbar, 1967-68 Men’s Basketball team
Golf: Keith Fergus
Volleyball: Rita Crockett
Track and Field: Kirk Baptiste
Baseball: Carlton Hanta
Swimming and Diving: Phil Hansel

UH Makes a Difference for Star of Hope

Just slightly over a year after beginning a partnership with the Star of Hope Mission, the University of Houston Athletics Department has donated almost 14,000 pounds of food to the mission.

Fans were encouraged to bring canned and non-perishable food items to Cougar football games at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium throughout the 2008 regular season. As they always do, Cougar fans responded in an impressive way, collecting six tons of food.

At halftime of the Cougars’ thrilling win over Conference USA rival UTEP on November 22, UH Director of Athletics Dave Maggard presented the food to officials with the Star of Hope Mission.

The Star of Hope Mission ministers to more than 900 people every day with food, clothing, shelter, and structured recovery programs. The organization touches the lives of more than 7,000 homeless people each year, including more than 1,600 children.