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| Title | Houstonian, 1997 |
| Contributor (LCNAF) |
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| Date | 1997 |
| Description | This edition of the Houstonian, published in 1997, is the official yearbook of the University of Houston. |
| Donor | Burns, Lisa |
| Subject.Topical (LCSH) |
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| Subject.Name (LCNAF) |
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| Subject.Geographic (TGN) |
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| Genre (AAT) |
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| Language | English |
| Type (DCMI) |
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| Original Item Location | LD2281.H745 H6 v. 63 1997 |
| Original Item URL | http://library.uh.edu/record=b1158762~S11 |
| Digital Collection | Houstonian Yearbook Collection |
| Digital Collection URL | http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/yearb |
| Repository | Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries |
| Repository URL | http://info.lib.uh.edu/about/campus-libraries-collections/special-collections |
| Use and Reproduction | In Copyright |
| Note | The digitization and presentation of this yearbook was made possible by a gift from Ms. Lisa Burns in honor of her service as Houstonian editor. |
| File Name | index.cpd |
| Title | Athletics |
| Format (IMT) |
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| File Name | yearb1997211.jpg |
| Transcript | The first Conference USA football championship trophy is presented to the Cougars at midfield on the Astrodome floor. The winner of this regular season championship receives an automatic bid to the st. jude Liberty Bowl. Photo By: Conrad Turner When the Southwest Conference disbanded in summer 1995, the University of Houston became a free agent of sorts -- able to search for the new athletic league of their liking. Its choice, C-USA, has proved to be one of the most exciting young conferences in the nation. An the midst of a restructuring period, the NCAA has seen numerous athletic programs shuffle from conference to conference as many older alliances have dissipated and newer ones emerge. In 1996, the University of Houston found that it wasn't immune to this transition as the Southwest Conference disbanded, leaving the Cougars free to enter the nations' youngest conference. Conference USA officially unveiled its logo and name at a ceremony held in April 1995. Championship play began later that year, in sports ranging from baseball to volleyball to rifle shooting. UH signed with the league in July 1996, and that falls football season gave the Cougars their first taste of C -USA competition. Six institutions battle for the C -USA football championship, and the winner receives a trip to Memphis to play in the St. Jude Liberty Bowl. Like a host of successful teams before them, Kim Heltons Cougars secured the right to play in the post-season classic by recording a 7-4 mark this season. "I think the level of competition has been excellent as a whole, A Clean Slate Mark Smith ( 278) and I've been especially encouraged with the resurgence of the football team',' said Bill Carr, athletics director. The struggle for a volleyball championship is every bit as intense as that on the football gridiron. C -USA is stocked full of nationally prominent volleyball teams, with Louisville leading the pack. "There are six teams in Conference USA that compare to the six top teams in the old Southwest Conference!' said head volleyball coach Bill Walton. "The only difference is that Texas and Texas A&M have reputations, and the idea that they're better!' Men and womens basketball may be the brightest spot on Conference USAs resume thus far. In its inaugural season the league had four teams break the Associated Press Top 25, and most major 1996 pre-season polls placed Cincinnati atop the nation. The continued success of C -USA basketball could help bolster the prestige of the league and ensure larger television and marketing contracts. Although UH has only experienced a years worth of C -USA competition, exceptional play throughout the athletic program has left players, coaches and fans feeling optimistic. The league offers each of its 12 universities the opportunity to compete on a high-skill level, one that is gaining national prominence. Athletics |