Where the Coog Spirit Celebrates
Coog Spirit
Welcome to our Spirits page! Here, you’ll find all the vibrant and exciting traditions that embody the true spirit of our university. While our Traditions page showcases our long-standing customs, this page is dedicated to the unique events, activities and practices that foster school pride, bring our community together and celebrate our university’s dynamic culture. From pep rallies and tailgates to unique student-led initiatives, explore the diverse ways we show our Cougar spirit. Go Coogs!
THE CLASS RING
The Official Class Ring
So many University of Houston traditions reside in the hearts of students and alumni, but the UH class ring is the only tradition that is always with you. The ring is presented each semester at a formal ring ceremony. Tradition dictates that current students must wear the ring facing inward, with only alumni wearing the ring facing outward.
Guarding of the Rings by Shasta
Students and alumni receive their class ring at the Ring Ceremony, an event held prior to both the December and May graduations. Each class ring spends the night before the Ring Ceremony with UH’s live cougar mascot, Shasta VI, at the Houston Zoo.
- Official Class Ring
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The Official Class Ring
So many University of Houston traditions reside in the hearts of students and alumni, but the UH class ring is the only tradition that is always with you. The ring is presented each semester at a formal ring ceremony. Tradition dictates that current students must wear the ring facing inward, with only alumni wearing the ring facing outward.
- Guarding of the Rings
-
Guarding of the Rings by Shasta
Students and alumni receive their class ring at the Ring Ceremony, an event held prior to both the December and May graduations. Each class ring spends the night before the Ring Ceremony with UH’s live cougar mascot, Shasta VI, at the Houston Zoo.
Cougar Anthems
Alma Mater
The official University of Houston Alma Mater was the culmination of an assignment by Bruce Spencer King, associate professor of music. He assigned his harmony class the task of composing a song that was suitable to become the University’s Alma Mater. The 18-year-old Irwin T. Andrews wrote a violin melody, which was then expanded by Professor King into a four-part harmony. The entire class hammered out the lyrics while King arranged the chorus. After an interminable amount of finagling, the song was sung at the 1942 commencement. It has been part of University of Houston lore from that day on.
All hail to thee,
Our Houston University.
Our hearts fill with gladness
When we think of thee.
We’ll always adore thee
Dear old varsity.
And to thy memory cherished,
True we’ll ever be.
The Cougar Fight Song
The most popular version is by former students Forest Fountain (lyrics) and Marion Ford (music). It is the Cougar Fight Song currently played by the band at all contests and events. A local musician, Ed Gerlach, and his orchestra popularized the current version of the Cougar Fight Song in the 1950s.
However, the school also had another Cougar Fight Song composed by John Perry (a UH accounting student who contracted polio during his collegiate days). This, the original Cougar Fight Song, was introduced during what is considered the first “big-time” football game for the University of Houston: a 1949 contest with then-national powerhouse College of William & Mary.
Likewise, legendary band director William C. Moffit also contributed songs which have become de facto UH Fight Songs: “Eat ‘Em Up” and “Touchdown.”
Cougars fight for dear old U of H
For our Alma Mater cheer.
Fight for Houston University
For victory is near.
When the going gets so rough and tough
We never worry cause we got the stuff.
So fight, fight, fight for red and white
And we will go to victory.
- Alma Mater
-
Alma Mater
The official University of Houston Alma Mater was the culmination of an assignment by Bruce Spencer King, associate professor of music. He assigned his harmony class the task of composing a song that was suitable to become the University’s Alma Mater. The 18-year-old Irwin T. Andrews wrote a violin melody, which was then expanded by Professor King into a four-part harmony. The entire class hammered out the lyrics while King arranged the chorus. After an interminable amount of finagling, the song was sung at the 1942 commencement. It has been part of University of Houston lore from that day on.
All hail to thee,
Our Houston University.
Our hearts fill with gladness
When we think of thee.
We’ll always adore thee
Dear old varsity.
And to thy memory cherished,
True we’ll ever be. - Cougar Fight Song
-
The Cougar Fight Song
The most popular version is by former students Forest Fountain (lyrics) and Marion Ford (music). It is the Cougar Fight Song currently played by the band at all contests and events. A local musician, Ed Gerlach, and his orchestra popularized the current version of the Cougar Fight Song in the 1950s.
However, the school also had another Cougar Fight Song composed by John Perry (a UH accounting student who contracted polio during his collegiate days). This, the original Cougar Fight Song, was introduced during what is considered the first “big-time” football game for the University of Houston: a 1949 contest with then-national powerhouse College of William & Mary.
Likewise, legendary band director William C. Moffit also contributed songs which have become de facto UH Fight Songs: “Eat ‘Em Up” and “Touchdown.”
Cougars fight for dear old U of H
For our Alma Mater cheer.
Fight for Houston University
For victory is near.
When the going gets so rough and tough
We never worry cause we got the stuff.
So fight, fight, fight for red and white
And we will go to victory.