HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 6, 2008) Saluting its rich history and tradition, University of Houston Director of Athletics Dave Maggard announced on Wednesday that nine former Cougar standouts and one great team will be inducted into the UH Hall of Honor this fall. The Hall of Honor gala will take place on Friday, November 15, at the Hyatt Regency Houston.
The Class of 2008 includes a record-breaking quarterback, a three-time golf All-America, a basketball legend that played for the Harlem Globetrotters, two Olympic medalists, an All-America shortstop, an NFL head coach and former three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year.
The class is headlined by the first-ever induction of an entire team, as the historic 1967-68 men's basketball squad has its place in the illustrious hall. This team played in the NCAA Final Four, but its game against UCLA in the Astrodome, known as the "Game of the Century," put the national spotlight on Division I basketball.
"Celebrating tradition is a big part of every outstanding university," Maggard said. "The individuals who have been nominated for this years University of Houston Hall of Honor are individuals who have exhibited not only their athletic skill while here at Houston, but also have continued to represent the athletic department and our University in an exemplary fashion.
"We are very proud to induct these individuals and this special team to Houston Hall of Honor. They have truly enriched the tradition of University of Houston."
Quarterback David Klingler joins fellow Run-n-Shoot signal-caller Andre Ware in the Hall of Honor, as does former UH linebacker and current Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips. Tight end Riley Odoms, a four-time Pro-Bowler for the Denver Broncos, also will be inducted.
Joining the '67-68 basketball squad in the hoops division is basketball legend "Sweet Lou" Dunbar. Dunbar, who starred for Cougars from 1972-75, gained fame as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters.
PGA Golfer Keith Fergus was a three-time All-America for the Cougars, and he later led the Houston golf program after legendary Dave Williams retired in 1987. As a coach, Fergus led the Cougars to eight tournament titles.
Two Olympic medalists join a long list of hardware-toting Hall of Honor members, as the athletics department inducts Rita Crockett (volleyball silver medal) and sprinter Kirk Baptiste (silver medal) during the ceremony. Crockett starred for one season for the Cougars, but she later helped lead the USA Volleyball team to a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. As for Baptiste, he captured the silver medal in the 200-meters in Los Angeles, finishing second to Carl Lewis, a 1998 Hall of Honor inductee.
Baseball standout Carlton Hanta becomes just the fifth baseball player to get the call to join the Hall of Honor. An All-America shortstop, Hanta led the Cougars to the 1953 College World Series.
Finally, former swimming and diving head coach Phill Hansel takes his place in the illustrious hall, joining former coaching colleagues Guy V. Lewis (basketball), Tom Tellez (track and field), Rolan Walton (baseball), Dave Williams (golf) and Bill Yeoman (football), as well as administrators Harry Fouke, Sue Garrison, Ted Nance and Tom Wilson, as contributors to Cougar success.
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