The winning submission will be displayed at the stadium’s east plaza. | Photo courtesy of Jacquie Vargas of facilities communications.
The Student Government Association, in partnership with the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, the Division of Administration and Finance and the Athletics Department are offering students the chance to make a permanent mark on campus in commemoration of their support and financial contributions to the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union Stadium.
The contest, which is open to all UH students currently enrolled in the 2016 Spring semester, is accepting submissions until Feb. 23. The contest’s parameters call for the creation of a permanent commemorative marker to establish the student tailgate area at the east plaza that honors the student body’s financial contribution to the construction of the stadium and to celebrate the pride of being a Cougar.
SGA President Shaun Theriot-Smith said SGA renegotiated a memorandum of understanding to include a permanent marker at the stadium.
“After a few discussions about what this marker would be, it was suggested that a meaningful way to create this piece would be to have students design it,” Theriot-Smith said. “We were intent from the beginning to have a high level of student ownership and pride in this marker.”
The marker will serve as a permanent feature that will establish the student tailgate zone at TDECU Stadium’s east plaza.
“Three existing flagpoles anchor this location and already act as a meeting place or landmark at which friends and families congregate before and after the games,” College of Architecture professor Patrick Peters Professor said. “Our hope is that (the marker) will enhance this area and provide a permanent destination that students will visit as proud Cougars while at UH, and alumni will return to as proud Cougars to share with their children later in life.”
Students will be able to vote for the finalists during SGA elections between March 1 and 3. The winners will be announced later, sometime in late March.
“(The stadium) reflects the University’s commitment to excellence in all aspects of higher education, from academics and research to community engagement and, in this case, athletics,” UH President and Chancellor Renu Khator said. “Our students deserve considerable praise for their enlightened and enthusiastic support of this vital project.”
With the anticipation of strong football from the players and support from the students, Theriot-Smith hopes that the two will continue to motivate each other.
“This season was absolutely historic, and from the energy and work already being done in the offseason, next season shouldn’t be any different,” Theriot-Smith said. ” The team feeds off the energy the students and fans provide, and I truly don’t think that will be diminishing at all in the coming years. It’s an exciting time to be a Cougar, whether you’re newly admitted or an alumni of many years.”
