February 9, 2004

By Leticia Vasquez
Editor

Spring is in the air, and University of Houston Athletics is gearing up for a busy season.
The UH Cougar baseball team will kick off its 2004 season with the Minute Maid College Classic, which will take place Feb. 13 – 15 at Minute Maid Field.

Led by head coach Rayner Noble, the Coogs will take on Kansas State University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas and Rice University.

"The Minute Maid Classic is a tremendous event because we get to play in a Major League Baseball venue. The other great thing is that you know you are going to get the games in. The weather is not going to be a factor. You don't have to battle the wind and the rain. That's very important early in the year. The competition that shows up every year is what we look for to get the season started."

Noble anticipates another great season for the Cougar baseball team and is building on ‘a pretty good nucleus from the ballclub last year’ to be the strength of this year’s team."

"We have a chance to do big things again. We interjected some key transfers in some key positions. I love our attitude right now. There are a lot of opportunities to be had, and guys are really competing hard for those positions. There is no reason to think we can't crack through (to Omaha) this year."

Below is a list of other upcoming events for Cougar sports teams:

Men’s golf
Waikoloa Intercollegiate
Feb. 11 – 13
Kona, Hawaii

Women’s softball
Hilton Plaza Invitational
Feb. 13 – 15
Houston, Texas

Women’s Swimming and Diving
USA Swimming Spring Nationals
Orlando, Florida