SOLOMON: FACILITY LIKELY TO GIVE PROGRAM A LIFT.
Now with a state-of-the-art facility in place, UH tries to take its program to the next level
A full 90 minutes before the tip, red-clad fans started making their way through the Fertitta Center’s doors Saturday night.
By the time the president of the University of Houston’s Board of Regents, Tilman Fertitta, threw the game ball to a courtside official with a behind-the-back pass, his namesake was full. Unusual for a men’s basketball in Houston. (That includes the Rockets.)
There was palpable excitement in the air as UH’s Breaon Brady and Oregon’s freshman center Bol Bol, who is built much like an iPhone turned sideways, took to midcourt for the center jump.
The cheer when Brady won the jump was about as loud as anything we have heard in these parts in a while.
Then, less than a minute later when Armoni Brooks drained a 3-pointer for the first points in the renovated areana, the roof faced its first test.
What a night. Big-time college basketball, our long, lost friend, was in the house. Whose house? Coogs’ house. About the only issue was a scoreboard clock malfunction midway through the first half. Such a minor issue wouldn’t ruin this night, as the Cougars handled the No. 18 Ducks 6561.
UH never trailed and led by as many as 20 points, opening the arena in style, with a raucous sellout crowd cheering.
The $60 million transformation of Hofheinz Pavilion that athletic director Chris Pezman bragged was completed a month early and on-budget is earning rave reviews.
Those two factors alone are clear evidence that UH is handling its business so much better than it was.
Everything in the building is top-notch. New and fresh isn’t always better. In this case it is.
Hofheinz opened in 1970 and would have turned 48 years old Saturday. It outlived its usefulness around the time those born the same year as it was graduated from college.
That it took another 25-plus years to be significantly upgraded would be great criticism for those who came before, but this is a new UH. A new purpose. A new plan.
‘We’re cutting edge’
With leaders bent on executing and winning.
Fertitta’s $20 million that spearheaded the construction is a gift that will keep on giving. It is an investment as much as a donation.
UH coach Kelvin Sampson says Fertitta’s commitment to the university cannot be overstated.
“There are a lot of people that want to be involved, and people that will make a commitment … he’s leaving his name here in cement, not sand,” Sampson said.
A year ago, when the men’s basketball team adopted #ForTheCity as a rallying cry and did H-Town proud by advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years, it was just a start.
At a private function celebrating the induction of Fertitta into the UH Athletics Hall of Honor, school president Renu Khator said that the city might not demand greatness at UH, but she is committed to building the university into the institution that the city deserves.
So many outstanding athletes went through the UH athletic facilities when the school ran a second- or thirdclass operation.
Coaches recruited many athletes who had better facilities at their high school than they would see at UH. It was embarrassing.
Gone are the days when opposing teams would rather shower at their hotel than in the locker room. Hey, some people are spoiled by hot water.
The unique tartan floor is gone in favor of a gorgeous wood that sparkles and a spectacular light show that is darn near worth the price of admission.
Speaking of the price of admission, seats cost as little at $10. That means a family of four can enjoy a Cougars’ home game for less than it costs one person to attend a Rockets game.
Yes, Houston is a pro town, but maybe the Fertitta Center is the game changer UH needs.
“Long after we’re gone, people will look back and this is going to be one of the preeminent facilities for college basketball,” Sampson said. “A lot of people around the country are going to see the new amenities that we have, and people that built beautiful new facilities 20 years ago are going to come here and look at what we have here to update.
“We’re cutting edge. This is a really special place.”
It should be a perfect fit for UH. The 7,100-seat arena is cozy and bright and loud. The intimacy enhances the atmosphere, as the on-court action is up close and personal.
The genius move of posting four rows of students on the floor in a 300-seat section called “The Cage,” should make Fertitta Center television-friendly and make it more difficult for opponents.
Coming back for more?
When it comes to wins and losses, it will take some work for the Fertitta Center to live up to the H&PE Arena at TSU, the temporary home where the Cougars posted a 19-1 record over the last season and a half.
UH entered Saturday night’s game with a 19-game home winning streak, tied for the nation’s second-longest active streak.
Now, it is up to the university to promote its basketball program, tout the hard-working athletes who are off to a 6-0 start and capable of doing damage in the NCAA Tournament.
A week ago, the Cougars felt the noise from the 11,000 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. They will feel a rocking crowd when they travel to Stillwater, Okla., next Saturday.
When Lamar is here Tuesday night, will the students and alumni be back?
It would be a shame if this is the only time we see a packed house at the Fertitta Center this season.
The “Young Alumni” and student sections, 117 and 109, respectively, always should be lively and packed. The kids in The Cage have a long way to go before they are mentioned with the Cameron Crazies, but there is no reason they shouldn’t rock it every game.
The lack of attractive teams in the American Athletic Conference is an issue, but regardless of the opponent, the students, the alumni, the city, should show up #ForTheCoogs.
If the Fertitta Center is the standard, the next great run of UH basketball is upon us.