This year, Cougar Spirit surged to new heights. As the University of Houston advanced to the national championship game, fans everywhere rallied behind the team, not just for the wins, but for what they represented. That signature Cougar grit, discipline and heart mirrors the spirit we see in our alumni every day.

 From Houston to New York, UH graduates showed up in full force, hosting and attending watch parties that became celebrations of community and pride. We caught up with several of them, and their stories remind us: Wherever you go, Coogs are there.

 Since the start of the 2024-25 season last November, the UH men’s basketball team consistently demonstrated toughness, timely offense and a trademark defense. That carried into Big 12 Conference play, resulting in a dominating 19-1 conference record, a second-consecutive regular season conference championship and winning the Big 12 Tournament to boot.

 Awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, UH battled teams to reach the Final Four, including an epic come-from-behind win over Duke University. That pivotal victory set the stage for a national championship showdown between the Cougars and the University of Florida Gators. UH led for most of the game before ultimately falling to Florida 65-63. The national title game was the University’s first appearance since 1984.

 UH Fans witnessed the team’s historic run through the NCAA Tournament at watch parties across the Houston area and beyond. Joe Castillo (’93) and friend Rene Torres attended a watch party at Christian’s Tailgate in the Heights hosted by a group of UH Alumni Association Foundation alumni networks. They were there to cheer on the Cougars against Duke.

 Inside the packed venue, Castillo was impressed by the large fan contingent and charged atmosphere. “It’s excellent — I wouldn’t expect anything better,” he said as he prepared to watch the game. Regarding UH’s chances against Duke, Castillo predicted, “One hundred percent. They’ve got a good chance.”

 Torres said the Cougars had the edge against the Blue Devils due to “the fans, the team is very talented and has a great coach,” referring to head coach Kelvin Sampson.

 Anakaren Martinez (’22) had inflatable thundersticks in hand and was ready to cheer on UH. After she experienced the excitement of the last watch party, with her alma mater beating the Tennessee Volunteers in the Elite Eight, Martinez was ready for more. “It’s crazy; it’s so loud,” she said about the UH-Duke crowd. “I love that I can’t hear myself think. It’s fun. I like that everyone is joining together to support the Coogs.”

 At the downtown Houston Avenida Plaza watch party for the finale between UH and Florida, Gerry Dickens picked up a national championship game poster featuring the Cougar team. Dickens, who played quarterback for the UH football team from 1980 to 1983, reflected on the basketball team’s Phi Slama Jama era during the early 1980s. That legendary team, including future NBA players Hakeen Olajuwan, Clyde Drexler, Michael Young, Rob Williams and Larry Micheaux, was led by famed coach Guy V. Lewis and reached the Final Four in 1982, 1983 and 1984, with national championship appearances in 1983 and 1984.

 Both the Phi Slama Jama team and current Cougars squad have accomplished much notoriety and success, Dickens noted. “I like this team and the defensive intensity (coach) Sampson preaches,” he said.

 Veronica and Patrick Souriall had not originally planned to be at the UH-Florida watch party. The Magnolia couple was downtown that day because their son Michael, a high school student, was attending an orientation for a guest services role with the Houston Astros. “We had to be down here, so why not join the party?” said Patrick, a Sam Houston State University alumnus.

 Veronica, a University of Texas-Pan American graduate, added, “It’s great. It’s our first time here, so we’re enjoying it. It’s a long drive from Magnolia, but it’s worth it.”  

 Their daughter currently attends Texas Tech University, which was eliminated in the Elite Eight by Florida. Patrick said the title game that night had special meaning. “It’s personal now — I hope the Cougars tear them up tonight,” he joked.

 Although the game did not end with a long-awaited national championship for UH, the season was still historic:

•  35-5 record, setting a team record for most wins in a season

• No. 1 defense in the nation

• Four consecutive seasons of 30+ wins

• Became the first team in Division I history to play at least 40 games in a season and not lose a game by more than five points

• Reached the Final Four for the seventh time in team history

As much as UH fans wanted a championship banner, Martinez shared a sentiment before the UH-Duke game that many also feel now even after the final buzzer. “I think (the Cougars) are going to demolish them, and if they don’t, that’s fine,” she said. “I still love them.”