Pierpont Communications, Inc.

"UH Win May Make School More Competitive" featuring Terry Hemeyer

September 28, 2009

HOUSTON - Could a winning football team translate into something much bigger for the University of Houston?

Days later, people are still talking about Saturday night's big u of h showdown with Texas Tech. The Cougars edged out the red raiders in front of a sold out home crowd, and are now ranked 12th on a national football poll.

But the win also comes as the university vies for a very prestigious academic status- top tier.

"After the game I went down (to the field) and I said 'Go Coogs' and people (would) shout back 'Tier One, Tier One.' It's amazing how those things are getting together, "said the university's president, Renu Khator.

Tier one is about research and academics. Becoming a tier one institution would make u of h more attractive in terms of academic recruitment. The rating doesn't really have anything to do with football- or does it?

Terry Hemeyer is a public relations specialist for Pierpont Communications.

"UH is going for tier one status. A good athletic program is essential to obtaining that status," said Hemeyer. "It gives you the opportunity to get to platforms and visibility, you don't get if you don’t have a program like that."

The university is enjoying that visibility. According to Khator, fundraising is up, donations are up, as is alumni participation, and overall interest in the university.

If you enter the term "Houston Cougars" on the Google trends website, you'll see there's been a huge spike in online searches.

It's good timing too.

This November, voters will have a chance to approve proposition 4, which would move u of h closer to tier one status- something only three Texas schools- UT, A&M, and Rice- currently claim.

"When you're nationally competitive, you're nationally competitive academically. You're nationally competitive athletically," said.