Quote:Houston Set To Induct Next Hall of Honor Class
Nine New Members Will Join Tomorrow Night


Nov. 4, 2004

HOUSTON, Texas - In a salute to their rich history and illustrious past, the University of Houston Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the Houston Athletics Foundation, Inc., will induct nine new members into the UH Hall of Honor on November 5, 2004. The induction ceremony will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The Class of 2004 includes seven former student-athletes, one former coach and an athletic administrator who spent 33 years working in the UH Athletics Department.

The list is headlined by former Cougar football standout Warren McVea, who not only established himself as a UH gridiron great, but also as a social icon when he broke the color barrier at the University of Houston in becoming the first-ever African-American student-athlete.

Two golfers who captured NCAA Individual Championships, Billy Ray Brown and Richard Crawford, also are members of this class, as well as three-time NCAA heptathlon champion, Jolanda Jones. The impressive Class of 2004 also includes two Olympic Gold Medallists in Ollan Cassell (track) and Carin Cone (swimming), and Phi Slama Jama fraternity member Michael Young, who is currently the Director of Basketball Operations at UH.

Former baseball head coach Lovette Hill, who guided the Cougars to their only two appearances in the College World Series, and long-time Sports Information Director Ted Nance round out this year's class.

UH Director of Athletics Dave Maggard, a champion and promoter of the rich Houston Athletic tradition, is quite pleased with the nine greats who will join the UH Hall of Honor in the fall.

"The 2004 Hall of Honor inductees are an outstanding group of athletes as well as individuals who have made real contributions beyond their days and years of competing in sport," commented UH Director of Athletics Dave Maggard. "The entire group of inductees was selected by a panel including alumni and sportswriters following extensive research on their athletic careers while at the University of Houston, and in some cases following their days at the University.

"Members of the athletics department simply provided information regarding these outstanding individuals, but we are very proud of their accomplishments and appreciate the high standards they set for those coming after them. The Athletic Department and the entire University have been enriched by their having been such an important part of the University."

The addition of the Class of 2004 will increase the Hall's occupancy to 60 former Cougar greats.