Coach Curl Returns After Heart Attack

A sense of normality and optimism returns to the University of Houston women’s basketball team this fall as Head Coach Joe Curl returns to the sideline after a tumultuous campaign a year ago. Last year, Coach Curl was preparing for his tenth campaign on the UH bench before an October heart attack forced him to miss the entire season.
 
“I almost feel like a player again to a certain extent.  There is a lot of excitement for the season to get started,” Curl said.  “I can’t remember the last time I was this focused and excited about the University of Houston and our basketball team.  I have taken the negative of the heart attack and turned it in to a positive.  I miss the players, I miss practices, I miss the competition and part of the thing I miss the most was the camaraderie with our coaches, athletic directors and other people.”
 
Back and ready to go, Curl opens this season with a young squad that features nine returning letterwinners and three newcomers.  The Cougars open their season Nov. 14 against Southeastern Louisiana at Hofheinz Pavilion at 5:30 p.m.

Homecoming Game Time Changes,
and Will Be Televised

The start time has changed for the Homecoming football game against Tulane. Kickoff is now set for 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Robertson Stadium and will be televised by CBS College Sports Network.

Also, the Tulsa game on Nov. 15 will be played at 7 p.m. at Robertson Stadium, and the UTEP game, also to be played at home, is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 22. These final home games also will be televised by the CBS College Sports Network. 

If you plan on attending all of these games and need tickets, take advantage of the “Homecoming Discount Package.” This package includes tickets to the final three home games for as low as $55! For more information or to purchase tickets call 713-GO-COOGS or visit uhcougars.com.

In addition, the University of Houston Athletics Department continues its second annual season-long “Thanks for Giving” campaign with the Star of Hope Mission. Non-perishable food items will be collected at every Cougar football home game.

Donations can be delivered at the Star of Hope truck, which will be parked in the tailgate area just outside of Gate 7. An additional drop-off location will be located at the student entrance, which is now located at Gate 10 at the stadium.

"We will continue to ask our fans through this football season to donate food for this great cause as we continue to play a small role in giving back to the community," said Dave Maggard, UH director of athletics.

Your donation of five non-perishable food items or more will be matched with a discount voucher. That voucher will be good for discounted tickets or Cougar Authentic merchandise. A year ago, Cougar fans and sponsors donated nearly six tons of food.