Kelvin Sampson replaced James Dickey as University of Houston head basketball coach April 3, 2014. Even though Dickey’s team finished the season with a winning record, 17-16, the buzz and energy in the program was non-existent, and the facilities were an embarrassment. If you would have told me that 10 years later, UH has shiny new facilities, is a periennial NCAA Tournament team, is in the mix for top level recruits, and selling out games, i would have thought your were nuts. Check the fruits of all the hard work Sampson and his staff have created.
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Yeah, when I saw & experienced that in person, it definitely felt like a full-circle moment.
…now, we gotta get there on the Football side 
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There was a buzz, but it was from circling flies.
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I used to do a “BAGAWK!!!” when Chicken was on the team and it would echo through Hofheinz.
But I knew after watching what he did with that first year team that we were in good hands.
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Agree, if you told me 10 years ago we’d be where we’re at, no way would I have believed. NO WAY
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Speaking of, clips like THAT is what gets people excited or interested in attending games. It’s the type of thing casuals see and think, ’ Wow, that looks cool. I want to see that in person. ’ Football needs to find a way to create something like that, that is the kind of thing that turns it from just a game to an event people want to be a part of.
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When I saw that clip on twitter, I said to myself, “This is what all of us have been working for!” I had to share.
This is what success is all about.
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That’s a bad @$$ song and the video graphics on the court get you amped up. Love seeing my childhood hero at the games–Otis Birdsong!
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Nobody has had more success in turning a dead program around faster than coach Sampson did here. I am so thankful that I have been able to live long enough to witness and enjoy the transition.
I can say I lived to see the greatest UH coaches ever with Sampson and coach Guy V. Lewis, along with Yeoman in football, Tellez in track and the great Dave Williams in golf.
The Lord has truly blessed me…
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Yeah… I LOVE projection mapping… you can literally turn a cube made out of white posterboard into a rubix cube turning in all directions…
Also, Tops Drop might be the most iconic Houston song ever…
Love Tops Drop, but it’s not even the most iconic Houston song that Fat Pat is on…
Tops Drop & 25 Lighters are in the same class…
1A, 1B…
What the hell did i just listen to?
Anywho, when Sampson first came in we had that mass exodus of players to Oregon and such. It was the only time i had a moment to pause. Sure glad we all hung in there and trust the process. The man definitely needs a statue or building named after him when it’s all said and done.
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Sampson came to UH with ah ‘storied’ history. I had reservations about him. He addressed his problems with the NCAA immediately and directly. His admissions and the way he handled that first press conference impressed the hell out of me. Then when he bent the administration to his will and got improvements, his stature in my eyes really went to a higher level. I thought “We might want to keep this guy!” He has done nothing but keep UH on a steep upward trajectory since.
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Amen Butch.
Go Coogs !
I’m showing my old age–can’t call anyone Fat–but if Pat is a Houstonian, then we need to get him to a game and let him perform that song live before a game with the video graphics on the floor showing Houston’s skyline and video of the national championship runner-up HOUSTON COUGARS! I’m old, and I can’t make out all the lyrics, but the vibe from that song kicks @$$. It amps you up!!!
When did UH start embracing the area cause at one time no one close to the fire wanted to admit and embrace being in 3rd ward
I’m certain that we won’t be able to get Fat Pat to a game without some sorcery.
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That was Keenum and Sumlin who started the 3rd Ward Defense and 3rd Ward Coogs.
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I just Googled “Fat Pat.” Showing my age. I had no idea that he passed away. He left us a great song!
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