The University of Houston will paint the campus red when it celebrates a Cougar Pride Homecoming the first week of November.

With the theme of Pride of a Cougar, this year’s pre-homecoming activities will begin with a campuswide student service project on Oct. 29 and the naming of the court on Oct. 30. Formal festivities get under way with a Nov. 1 kick-off event and UH President Jay Gogue’s State of the University Address on Nov. 3. The powerhouse Cougars will face the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at the homecoming football game, the last home game of the 2006 season.

“This year’s homecoming committee invites not only the UH family but also our friends and neighbors throughout the Houston community to participate in the many events that will be offered,” said Rachea D. Smith, program manager in the Office of University Marketing. Smith is a member of the committee, which is chaired by Michael Rierson, vice president for university advancement, and co-chaired by Wendy Adair, associate vice president for public affairs.

The campus will take on a festive mood beginning mid-October when special homecoming banners with a welcome-home theme begin appearing on campus buildings and on the light poles on Cullen Boulevard and University Drive. The building banners have been donated by architecture alumnus Ron Kronberg, owner of Kronberg’s Flags and Flagpoles, and will be reusable for future homecoming celebrations. On Nov. 1, the homecoming kick-off program will start at 11 a.m. at the Cullen Family Plaza followed by the UH Spirit Pep Rally. At the rally, faculty, staff and students can wish the football team luck by rubbing the Cougar paw. The game starts at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Robertson Stadium.

“Homecoming is a time to reunite with old friends, come back to class reunions, spend the day on a beautiful campus and see an exciting football game — that tops it off,” said Dave Maggard, athletics director. “College football with its pageantry and its tailgating make for a wonderful day.”

Prior to the game, UH will host its annual Golf Cart Parade and Contest, which will pit Cougar against Cougar as offices, colleges, student organizations and alumni groups compete to win the competition. The fun will continue with activities for children and tailgate parties.

Many other events will occur during the week. On Nov. 3, Gogue will present the campus’ master plan at the annual State of the University Address at 10 a.m. in the University Center’s Houston Room. Later that day, the annual homecoming luncheon, honoring Golden Cougars (50-year alumni) and the 25-year alumni, will follow the president’s address. A jazz lunch will be held in the Hilton University of Houston Hotel, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Golden Cougars will gather again at the Alumni/Athletics Center for an ice cream social at 3:30 p.m. Then, the ball gowns and tuxes will come out as the Athletics Department hosts its Hall of Honor gala at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Americas Hotel. But, faculty and staff do not have to wait until homecoming week to show their
Cougar pride.

During the various homecoming events, faculty and staff competitions will be held. CampusCougars and Staff Council will sponsor such competitions as who can bring the most people out to the kick-off pep rally. A banner and office decoration contests are also included. The overall winner will receive the Spirit Bell trophy.

The celebration will wrap up with Houston Alumni Organization’s golf tournament Nov. 6 at Friendswood’s Timber Creek Golf Club. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Visit http://www.advancement.uh.edu/homecoming/ for the homecoming calendar.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu