UH director of athletics Dave Maggard
Athletics Department to Work with Star of Hope Mission Again in 2008

Cougar Fans and Supporters Donated Nearly Six Tons of Food a Year ago

Aug. 25, 2008

HOUSTON - For the second straight season, the University of Houston Football program will team with Star of Hope Mission in the Thanks for Giving Campaign presented by Administaff.

Non-perishable food items will be collected at every Cougar Football home game, beginning with the season opener at 6 p.m., Saturday against Southern on John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium.

Donation can be delivered at the Star of Hope truck, which will be parked in the tailgate area just outside of Gate 7. An additional drop-off location will be located at the student entrance, which is now located at Gate 10 at the stadium.

"We will continue to ask our fans through this football season to donate food for this great cause as we continue to play a small role in giving back to the community," UH director of athletics Dave Maggard said. "

The University of Houston Athletics Department will match donations of five non-perishable food items or more with a discount voucher. That voucher will be good for discounted tickets or Cougar Authentic merchandise.

Bags for collecting non-perishable food items will be distributed to fans at home games, Cougar talk shows and in the Athletics/Alumni Center.

Once the items have been collected, the Athletics Department will present the food to the Star of Hope Mission at halftime of the regular-season finale against Conference USA rival UTEP at 4 p.m., Nov. 22. The presentation will be a part of "Coogs for Charity Day" at Robertson Stadium.

A year ago, Cougar fans and sponsors donated nearly six tons of food.

Supporting sponsors of the Campaign include Smart Financial Credit Union, Wells Fargo, New York Life, Irma's Southwest Grill, Fabenco, Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston First Baptist Church and Halliburton.

The Star of Hope Mission ministers to more than 900 people every day with food, clothing, shelter and structured recovery programs. The organization touches the lives of more than 7,000 homeless people each year, including more than 1,600 children.

"The Star of Hope Mission is an excellent organization aiding those in need in the city of Houston," Maggard said. "We have seen first hand the organization benefit through our participation in food drives to help those who are do not have the means to help themselves."

This event is only the latest in a string of community outreach programs by Cougar coaches, student-athletes and administrators, who have worked in campus facility tours, reading incentive programs, drug awareness, motivational speaking, hospital visits, TAKS Test pep rallies and food and clothing drives.

"One of our objectives as a department is outreach to the community," Maggard said. "We have had great participation in taking time to help others within the community."

The Cougars open their season at 6 p.m., Aug. 30, 2008, when they play host to Southern on John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium. Season-ticket plans are priced starting at $95 and are available by calling 713-GO-COOGS or visiting the Tickets link at UHCougars.com.

Fans can hear the game live on 790 AM The Sports Animal with Tom Franklin calling the play-by-play action, David Klingler providing color analysis and Chuck Brown handling reports from the sideline.