HCHSA Newsletter | September 2022

@NBOTB

2022 NATIONAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS

EIGHT OF THE NATION’S BEST MARCHING BANDS BROUGHT THE HBCU SPIRIT AND PASSION TO NRG STADIUM

The 2022 National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) once again packed the house at NRG Stadium. Over 40,000 fans from across the nation gathered together to see 8 of the best HBCU marching band’s spirited and passionate performances. To make things even better, the evening culminated with an electric performance by GRAMMY®-nominated hip-hop artists Quavo & Takeoff.

The weekend also featured several other events including the “Back on the Yard Kickoff” Step & Stroll, the Emerging Experience Entrepreneur Conference presented by JP Morgan Chase, and an HBCU

S.T.E.M College Fair. The NBOTB takes pride in its efforts to create positive educational, cultural, and economic impacts to the city of Houston. This year over 3,000 area youth were provided tickets to attend the HBCU S.T.E.M. College Recruitment Fair and the NBOTB event. This opportunity allowed local students not only an opportunity to experience HBCU culture and spirit but access to educational opportunities and resources. Along with supporting local area youth, the NBOTB is also a proud supporter of local minority-owned businesses. In 2021 NBOTB helped provide over $100,000 in revenue for

minority-owned businesses in Houston by contracting with them for various products and services. NBOTB once again supported local minorityowned businesses in the lead-up to the 2022 NBOTB and will continue to do so for years to come.

Prairie View A&M University, Southern University, Quavo & Takeoff’s performance, meal donation to the homeless, HBCU S.T.E.M College Fair, the Emerging Experience Entrepreneur Conference presented by JP Morgan Chase, and the “Back on the Yard Kickoff” Step & Stroll.

The Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was inducted on September 13 and received their HOF Rings and plaques on the Walk of Fame. Roger Clemens, Sheryl Swoopes, and Clyde Drexler, all wore the number 22 during their time in Houston, shared the day with friends and family at the House of Blues.

Celebrations started with each Hall of Famer imprinting their hand onto their portraits.

Handprints are Houston artist Opie Otterstad’s unique alternative to athletes writing their signatures onto his work. Kevin Eschenfelder from AT&T Southwest hosted the event inside the House of Blues as the Class of ‘22 saw their HOF rings for the first time. Fred Cuellar of Diamond Cutters International presented the rings while explaining the design and various gems. From there, the festivities moved outside to the Houston Sports

Walk of Fame, where their plaques were unveiled.

If you’d like to see the Walk of Fame for yourself, you may do so at any time. The walk begins at Caroline St. and continues west on the GreenStreet Plaza, covering two total blocks. While there, fans may also interact with the virtual Houston Sports Hall of Fame kiosk adjacent to the House of Blues.

Photos include Houston Sports 2022 Hall of Fame Class with their plaques, Hall of Famers signing paintings at the VIP reception, and Class of 2022’s rings.

INAUGURAL ADAPTED SPORTS DAY

September brought about the launch of another HCHSA community endeavor. We have partnered with TIRR Memorial Hermann to form the initiative entitled “Abilities in Motion,” which specializes in bringing adaptive sports opportunities to local adults and children in the Houston area.

The inaugural event

was hosted at The Zone in South Houston with the help of Paralympian instructors. Attendees were introduced to wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, pickleball, and recumbent cycling with the hopes of adding new activities in the future.

While the athletes were in action on the courts, parents and guardians

were afforded the opportunity to hear presentations on using adaptive sports as a pathway to college as well as how to find financial assistance for necessary equipment for participation and how to get more involved.

Overall, the event was a success and especially enjoyable for the athletes who attended.

Photos include athletes playing sitting volleyball, pickleball, and wheelchair basketball. Top right photo is athletes attending Astros game.

WALK OF FAME FOUNTAIN UNVEILING

The Harris County - Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA) concluded its 25th Anniversary celebration with the unveiling of the HCHSA Hall of Fame Fountain at the GreenStreet Promenade. The formal announcement of the 2023 Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class served to highlight the unveiling.

The mosaic art installation on the fountain, designed by Hall

of Fame artist Opie Otterstad, was inspired by the Houston sports community. It features 13 Hall of Famers as well as some iconic Houston sports moments. This fountain will be a focal point for the Houston Sports Walk of Fame and is part of the continued efforts to build the Hall of Fame brand on GreenStreet.

As the Walk of Fame continues to grow, so does the

Hall of Fame. The of the Houston Sports of Fame includes the most celebrated of the century - Bruce thews, Calvin Murphy, Elvin Hayes. These letes will be honored sixth annual Houston Awards presented ity at the Wortham Center on January

2023 Class Sports Hall three of celebrated athletes Bruce MatMurphy, and These three athhonored at the Houston Sports presented by InsperWortham Theater January 25, 2023.

Photos include HCHSA Hall of Fame Fountain, local University of Houston students with fountain artist Opie Otterstad, Houston sports partners holding team jerseys, and Hall of Famer George Foreman.

25

THE AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES ARE COMING BACK TO HOUSTON!

The AAU Junior Olympic Games are coming back to Houston! At a recent press conference, the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority announced that the AAU Junior Olympic Games will return to Houston in 2025, 2027, and 2031.

Houston will host the Games the second-most times in AAU Junior Olympic Games history with these additional dates.

AAU President & CEO Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan, AAU Junior

Olympic Games Chairman Paul Campbell, and Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis were all in attendance, sharing their excitement and anticipation for 2025 and the years to come.

@AAU

Photos include HCHSA CEO Janis Burke, Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis, AAU President & CEO Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan, AAU Junior Olympic Games Chairman Paul Campbell, local AAU athletes Landen & Rodney, and HCHSA board.