The 80-Year History of UHAA
1940
The Ex-Students Association, now UHAA, was founded as a non-profit organization.
1942
The official debut of the University of Houston alma mater.
1946
The first UH class ring was awarded.
1947
The debut of “Shasta;” the first live cougar to serve as the UH mascot.
1948
The Frontiersmen was established to promote school spirit and the infamous Frontier Fiesta.
1950
UHAA moved from its trailer location to the Ezekiel Cullen building.
1953
The Cougar Hand Sign was adopted.
1958
Frontier Fiesta was dubbed “The Greatest Show on Earth” by Life Magazine.
1963
The University of Houston becomes a state, public institution.
1969
The UHAA Life Member program was established.
1970
The Buggy Beauties were introduced to serve as spirit ambassadors for UH year-round. After each touchdown, the buggy is driven around the stadium.
1977
The Cougars win the Cotton Bowl Classic against the Maryland Terrapins.
1977
The University of Houston celebrates its 50th anniversary.
1982–1984
Phi Slama Jama, the name given to the UH men’s college basketball team, dominated the national sports scene.
1991
Frontier Fiesta was restarted.
1991
Named after avid UH supporter, David Carl Blazek, the Blaze tradition was born, with the sounding of the siren that echoes after each score during a football game.
1995
UHAA moves into the Athletic-Alumni Center.
2008
Dr. Renu Khator begins her tenure As UH System Chancellor/President at the University of Houston.
2012
The live cougar, “Shasta,” is reinstated at the Houston Zoo.
2013
UHAA merges into the University of Houston.
2014
UHAA hosts the first Cougar 100 Luncheon, recognizing the top 100 fastest-growing Cougar-owned or operated businesses.
2017
The Legend of Cougar Paw begins where students rub their hands on the paws of the Cougar statue, outside of TDECU Stadium right before a football game.
2018
The first Class Ring ceremony to be held in the Fertitta Center.
2019
UHAA unveils the UH Class Ring statue in the Student Center.
2020
UH welcomes 300,000 graduates.