Issue 19, Volume 81

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The Center for Diversity and Inclusion launched its #IAMUH campaign this week, focusing on student engagement to highlight the diversity of UH. | PG. 3

Issue 19, Volume 81

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2 | Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

UH SYSTEM

Alumni Association's petition gains momentum REBECCA HENNES

NEWS EDITOR @BECCAGHENNES

The University of Houston Alumni Association’s online petition to the Texas Legislature opposing the University of Texas System’s Houston expansion is inches away from reaching its goal of 10,000 signatures.

Two weeks ago, the association passed a resolution opposing the expansion and shortly thereafter created a petition to gain community support. The petition had somewhat of a slow start, but over the course of three days, support nearly doubled.

“We have a lot of momentum behind our University that we haven’t seen in a long time,” Trey Wilkinson, Alumni Association president said. “Our concern is that the (UT system) will take away resources that would hamper our ability to fulfill our mission of becoming a premier, Tier-One-institution that serves this community. It’s very important for the student body to oppose this invasion.”

In the petition, which is addressed to the governor, State House and Senate, Higher Education Coordinating Board, Lieutenant Governor, UT System

i

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The facility UT has proposed consists of 332 acres and is five miles from UH. | Photo courtesy of Houston Business Journal.

Chancellor Bill McRaven and the Texas Speaker of the House, the Alumni Association condemns McRaven’s plans to purchase 332 acres in Houston only 5 miles from UH. It adds that if the UT System continues forward then UH requests “parity in resources,” namely, equivalent Permanent University Funds.

“We are speaking out because UH has made and continues to make positive strides with a disproportionate share of state resources,” Cedric Bandoh, former SGA President, Alumni Association

board member said. “We have had enough of this unfair system, and it's time for our state leaders to correct this.”

For Bandoh, the solution is simple.

“The legislature needs to invest in UH and all systems of higher education in Texas,” he said. “Open up the PUF to everyone and have us all reasonably compete for funding” The petition cites several reasons for its position against the expansion, from the disproportionate funding through PUF, UT's violation of the Texas Higher Education

Committee and the impact the new facility would have on the communities surrounding the area.

“There are three large state universities – the University of Houston, the University of Houston - Downtown, and Texas Southern University – each within a 6-mile radius of the University of Texas System’s proposed expansion,” the petition stated. “An adverse impact on these Hispanic Serving Institutions and Minority Serv-

PETITION

Continues on page 4

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The Center for Diversity and Inclusion hopes that its #IAMUH campaign will help students embrace the diversity of UH. — Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

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NEWS

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Rebecca Hennes, EDITOR

CAMPUS

#IAMUH campaign highlights diversity on campus SONIA ZUNIGA

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Being the second biggest diverse campus in the nation is a given.

You practically hear it everywhere.

But few talk about engaging in the diversity.

“We are different, but what does that really mean?” Center of Diversity and Inclusion Director Niya Blair said. “How does that impact us?”

CDI plans to answer this question with its new campaign, #IAMUH, which officially launched this week. Students, faculty and staff will get a chance to share what makes them not only unique but what the University means to them during the campaign's release Feb. 2 and 4.

With the help of the Center for Student Media, CDI will photograph students who stop by and share their unique answers to the question.

When Blair first received a button “I am One” in a confer10595-Cougar News ago, Feb 3she Auto Ad ence roughly three years

couldn’t get the concept out of her according to the CDI website. head.

Roughly 28 percent are white, 27 “I was going through my box as I percent are Hispanic, 20 perwas unpacking when I first started cent are Asian, 10 percent are here,” Blair said, rummaging African-American and about 10 through her office drawers, looking percent are international. But to for the button. “I really wanted to Penmetsa, it’s much more than do something and use this button physical appearance. in some way.”

“We get to show everyone our Prominent figures like Presmajors, our backgrounds and our ident Renu Khator and head student involvement on campus,” football coach Tom Herman are Penmetsa said. kick-starting the campaign with Blair said when she took her their portraits of what makes them position as director, she wanted to UH, as well as sophomore Honors develop a deeper understanding College and Bauer student Brinda of the varying differences students Penmetsa, was one of the students have and find not only coexistence, asked to participate. but true understanding. That’s “I think this (campaign) is where the inspiration from her coming at a great time,” Penbutton came. metsa said. “I am one of the many “We put something out as a students who benefited from the teaser last spring,” Blair said. diverse opportunities that the “During the Diversity Institute campus has provided me with. I that we hosted with Counseling really feel that my experience in and Psychological Services Center, the community (exemplifies) that we had students speak before our message.”

UH students come from more CAMPAIGN on page 4 Half 1 the 2/2/16 AM thanPage-final.pdf 137 nations across world,12:50Continues

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion's #IAMUH campaign aims to showcase the diversity and talent of UH. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

4 | Wednesday, February 3, 2016

NEWS

PETITION

Continued from page 2 ing Institutions and the students served is inevitable.”

Last November, the UH Board of Regents unanimously approved a statement opposing the UT System’s expansion. The plans McRaven announced last year initially called for the land to be used for a research facility but law professor Michael Olivas, who heads the Institute for Higher Education Law and Governance at the UH Law Center, said this was false information used to cover up plans for a much larger, full-scale campus.

“They’ve already got a footprint here,” Olivas said at the Board of Regents meeting last November.

“This is more than a footprint, this is a stampede.”

The UT system has been accused of bypassing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by not asking for approval to build on the land before announcing plans, and is using its vast amount of PUF money to do so.

“The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board was created to protect universities from competing with each other and having overlapping programs and competing facilities,” Welcome Wilson Sr.,

713-743-5314

president of the UH Political Action Committee said in his request to the Regents last November. “Otherwise it is dog-eat-dog. If UT opens this facility, it will hurt UH’s ability to recruit and retain talent, (and) it will undermine ability to provide affordable and quality education to students.”

McRaven told the state Higher Education Coordinating Board that he was "guilty as charged" of failing to consult state officials before his decision to buy 100 of the 300 planned acres in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle. He added he has “no plans to compete with UH, telling a state legislative panel last week that he's a "big supporter" of the progress the school has made.”

The Alumni Association is not buying McRaven’s explanation and is asking for more information.

“Part of the challenge is that they haven’t told anyone what the plan is," Wilkinson said "There’s a lot of innuendo, (and) there’s a lot of rumors. Why does the UT system feel compelled to do this?”

Wilkinson went on to add that the timing of UT’s announcement is “very interesting” given the Texas legislature is not in session and will remain out until 2017.

“And as we all know, a lot can be done in a year,” he said. “The Texas

thedailycougar.com/news

Higher Education Coordination Board is supposed to ensure that the university systems all work together. This is one example of one system choosing not to work with anybody – and certainly not work with UH.” Following suit with the Board of Regents and the Alumni Association, UH President and Chancellor Renu Khator traveled to Austin on Jan. 20 and testified against the expansion to the House Higher Education Committee, sparking debate among alumni and students online.

Wilkinson said the association is not sure exactly what will happen once the petition reaches its goal, but that he and other board members hope this will spearhead the movement against the expansion and gain lawmaker's attention.

“The bottom line is that UH and UT are both state agencies," Charles Haston, former SGA President and Alumni Association Board member said. "Replicating services is a colossal waste of taxpayer money.

But if the legislature intends for state agencies to compete, then they should give us parity in resources – access to PUF – otherwise, it's not competition, it's a hostile takeover.” news@thedailycougar.com

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Rebecca Hennes, Editor

CAMPAIGN

Continued from page 3

Gabriela Chen said she couldn't pass uo the opportunity to be part of the campaign. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

keynote speaker and they would introduce themselves and say (how) they made UH so diverse.

They ended with 'I am UH.' Everyone’s story was so different; people really liked it.”

Psychology alum and former Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society member Gabriela Chen said she couldn't pass up the chance to be included in the campaign.

"I may be the homecoming queen to many people, but I am so much more than that," Chen said.

"We get to see another side than what we interpret from first glance.

This campaign sparks differences as strength, and I think that’s how I’ve always seen it."

She said one of the reasons she chose to attend UH was the environment and culture, but that doesn't mean she didn't have some difficulty adapting.

"This campus was crowded with so many different people, it was overwhelming," Chen said. "All universities aren’t like this. We can’t pinpoint someone easily, it was intimidating to try to communicate with someone I may not have much in common (with). With this campaign, students get to know a certain person in a whole new light."

When asked to sum up her #IAMUH experience, she chose "valiant," but that wasn't an easy choice.

"I turned in my slip Sunday night, because I took so long to think of a single word to describe all I feel about being UH," she said.

The quote came a little easier.

"I wrote 'Despite adversity and

difficulty, I found solace through education,'" she said.

"If everyone took the time to appreciate (their) surroundings and broaden their horizons, they’d be able to get much more than just textbook knowledge. (They'd get) true understanding of what educating oneself means."

The first #IAMUH tabling will be in the Student Center South Building and will feature #IAMUH signs in six different languages for students to pose with. The second tabling will be held at the Student Center Satellite.

Penmetsa said the campaign has the potential to find and establish a deeper sense of community, if everyone is willing to contribute.

“It would mean a lot if students can take this project and step into the next level which is having larger conversations of collaborations and build from each other’s gifts and programs," Penmetsa said. "We can make something bigger when we’re truly united.”

Blair emphasized that all students and faculty are welcome to share what makes them UH and to learn about themselves and society through their stories.

“I don’t think many people think of themselves as contributing to diversity," Blair said. "They tend to think it’s specifically for people of color or females, when in fact we can all contribute to this, no matter your background. Using the #IAMUH, we can bring the pieces all together." news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 | 5 713-743-5314

thedailycougar.com/news

news@thedailycougar.com

NEWS

Rebecca Hennes, Editor

ELECTION

Student apathy is one reason why millennials aren't voting in elections LEEN BASHARAT

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @LEEENCUISINE

Encouraging young adults to cast their vote has been a debatable topic since 1962, according to USA Today.

The low voter turnout among young adults is seen in local, state and federal levels.

“This is a growing trend, but as a young professor I can say that the problem is not unique to this generation," comparative politics lecturer Laila Sorurbakhsh said. "Looking at voter turnout trends, however, you can see that in the past few election cycles, turnout has stabilized ( for millenials) right around 58 percent for presidential elections and 30 to 33 percent for congressional elections. This is a problem we’ve been experiencing for a while.”

The 2015 mayoral election consisted of a 26.9 percent turnout, the highest turnout since 2003 according to the Houston Chronicle.

Although this spike may have been attributed to the interest in the For presidential elections, the toward elections is regarding the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, U.S. Census Bureau shows that on difference in generations' declarathe turnout itself was low. average less than half of eligible tion of political ideology.

Political science professor Cyrus young adult voters actually make it “I think students and young folks Contractor said political particito their district’s poll site, with factend to see primaries as an older pation is needed at every level of tors ranging from lack of access to institution,” Theriot-Smith said. government. transportation to refusing to vote.

“Many students don’t explicitly “When it comes to Houston and There are high stakes for young identify as a Democratic or Republocal politics, I always bring up the voters to cast their vote because lican or (as a) specific party, and importance that politics happen government is confronted with many tend to opt-out participating outside of D.C. as well," Contractor issues directly concerning the in parties all together. So, they see said. "Governance, governments, youth, according to the Annette primary voting as an institutional elections and policies don’t just Strauss Institute in UT Austin. them versus us, red versus blue." take place in those buildings in D.C. “Something that is important to A third factor is transportation. but everywhere Theriot-Smith across the believes nation. People because of the “So much of our attention is on national need good lack of transporpolitics, particularly from the media, that government tation and the and good gover- we feel that (national) elections are the strict guidelines nance. Either we workplaces have most important or salient. However, don’t see those for requestthings as being ing time off, the truth is that the outcomes of local political, or we voters become elections matter more in terms of our are too focused unmotivated on D.C., if we to go through everyday lives than national elections.” are focused on the obstacles Laila Sorurbakhsh, Political Science Lecturer of voting in pripolitics at all.”

For local elecmary elections. tions ranging from state elections remember about the democratic “There are people throughout and inward, Sorurbakhsh believes process is that it takes place based the world who don’t have the right there should be a much higher upon who participates, and it to self-govern, which is akin to turnout because of its proximity to doesn’t make special exceptions saying that they don’t have the right the people it serves. for those who don’t,” said John to create the world in which they “Anytime you have an election McDonald, doctoral candidate in are a part (of)," McDonald said. that does not fall on a presidential political science. “A benefit of young "Living in a country based on the election year, turnout is going to be people participating in elections principles of self-governance is a low,” Sorurbakhsh said. “So much of is that it gives them the chance to wonderful opportunity that should our attention is on national politics familiarize themselves with some of not be taken lightly. That is why it — particularly from the media — the issues, and after wrestling with is important for voters, young and that we feel that these elections those issues for some time, (it) can old alike, to truly wrestle with the are the most important or salient. enable them to become responsible political issues of our time so that However, the truth is that the voters.” our democracy not only continues, outcomes of local elections matter For Student Government Presbut flourishes.” more in terms of our everyday lives ident Shaun Theriot-Smith, the news@thedailycougar.com than national elections.” second factor for student apathy

VOTING & REGISTRATION IN U.S CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS 85

Registered Voted

80 75 70 65

67.1%

66.5%

67.6%

60

65.1%

64.6%

55 50 45

45.3%

46.1%

47.8%

45.5%

40

41.9%

35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

1998

2002

2006

2010

2014

Infographic by Courtney Williams, Jen Garcia

ICYMI: Black Lives Matter rally

Students from UH, Houston Community College and Texas Southern University gathered on campus Friday to rally against police brutality and for victims of unnecessary violence. The event was hosted by the Houston Anti-War Committee and the UH chapter of Students for a Democratic Society. Check out the rest of the gallery at thedailycougar.com.

-Photos by Dailey Hubbard

6 | Wednesday, February 3, 2016

OPINION 713-743-5304

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Anthony Torres, EDITOR

IDEOLOGY

Spirituality can exist without religion KRISHNA NARRA

OPINION COLUMNIST

G

rowing up, life felt like a warzone. I could never tell when I would face ambush.

In elementary school, an array of timed homework assignments were thrown at me. So, I could never finish anything on time. In high KRISHNA school, I was NARRA attacked with OPINION standardized COLUMNIST testing formats I could never comprehend. So, I often remained in the C-grade range.

Being Indian-American, I had interests and talents that contradicted the stereotype so I was barraged with judgment.

Now I feel judged when I watch the news, seeing a man running for president leading in the polls by

preaching insanity, hate and fear.

I began to wonder: How can there be a higher power of justice when reality is unjust to begin with?

According to the Mental Health Foundation, spirituality can help people cope with everyday stress and keep them grounded. It also helps maintain good mental health.

My spiritual journey began last December with a group of 75 other seekers through Chunmaya Mission Houston.

We embarked on a journey to understand what role spirituality played in shaping this world, our lives and what our purpose was.

Upon visiting four different ashrams and immersing ourselves in the culture of sainthood, purpose began to unfold. I realized that the warzone I was trapped in was my own mind. Our ability to make life a heaven or hell lies in our mentality alone.

I came to understand how

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EDITOR IN CHIEF

Glissette Santana

COOGLIFE EDITOR

Karis Johnson

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Justin Tijerina

NEWS EDITOR

Anthony Torres

Sean Alder

Rebecca Hennes CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Taelor Marquetti-Gadison

PHOTO EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Leen Basharat Efren Diosdado Brittaney Penney Trey Strange Sonia Zuniga

STAFF EDITORIAL Being religious and being spiritual are two different things, and it's completley possible to be spiritual without the religious aspect. | Graphic by Jen Garcia

important spirituality is in empowering one’s mind and soul.

Whether one is religious or not, spirituality remains at one’s disposal, especially in recent times, where philosophers like Sam Harris, who build momentum through the New Atheist movement.

“The way we think can profoundly influence our lives and the lives of others,” Harris said.

Without following a religion, he came to the same conclusion I did after spending time in various ashrams.

“Spirituality is not about subscribing to a religion,” said history senior Hayder Ali, founder of the Secular Student Association. “It is a feeling that there is something out there more meaningful than the material world.”

This means spirituality can exist without religion. It all lies in one’s mentality and outlook on life.

However, faith also plays a drastic role in shaping one’s mind and health for the best.

“Because of faith, I find that my anxiety is reduced in a self absorbed manner,” said Ved Chi-

tale, a third year law student who is an active member of Chinmaya Mission. “When I worry about winning a case or getting the grade I want, I am, ironically, more likely to fail. With faith, I am able to do my best without any worry about the result. That gives me the peace of mind needed to perform at my potential. Even if I fail, I still know I did my best."

Faith is about trust. When one trusts in God, the universe or even Newton’s third law stating that every action results in an equal opposite reaction, he is able to sacrifice anxiety for the fruits of action.

Through knowledge about spirituality, I learned about the importance of controlling my own mind. By practicing mindfulness, I cognitively started to see that happiness is much more than an emotion, a goal or even a lifestyle.

It is an active choice one makes daily.

Opinion columnist Krishna Narra is a marketing junior and may be reached at opinion@thedailycougar. com

"Take our country back" by Herschel Levin

The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author. Opinions expressed in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major.

Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@ thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016 | 7 713-743-5304

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opinion@thedailycougar.com

OPINION

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

STAFF EDITORIAL

University of Texas' 'trojan horse' shouldn't scare UH

U

H has developed a case of little brother syndrome — feeling inferior to a bigger, seemingly superior university. In this case, it's the University of Texas and its proposed expansion into Houston.

The Board of Regents even approved a statement in November opposing UT's plans, described by UH law professor Michael Olivas as a Trojan horse that Houston should not let inside its gates.

This Trojan horse is threatening, and The Cougar Editorial Board understands that. UH has been numbed by the numerous comparisons to other public state universities in the state. In UH's mind, it's the only one that matters — a fair point made by a university that is on the brink of national recognition for numerous programs.

But, on the other hand, UT has every right to expand into Houston. If you think about it, UT has 14 institutions in its system scattered all around the state, and the closest thing they

| Illustration by Courtney Williams

have to a hunting ground in southeast Texas is UT-San Antonio, about 220 miles west of UH. It makes sense that they want something closer to the coast, a gateway into bringing potential students from the Houston-area as well as from Louisiana. UT

has every right to expand their uber-successful system. But as Cougars, it stings a little — even if you were a dead-set Longhorn from birth.

UT is one of two universities in the state that receives money from Permanent University

Funds, a metaphorical bucket of wealth meant to fund higher education within the state.

But UH doesn't.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board hasn't approved UT's expansion, a breath of relief from anyone rooting for UH.

Ultimately, being the head of a university is a business.

President and Chancellor Renu Khator is our CEO, just like System Chancellor Bill McRaven is UT's. Their jobs are to divide and conquer.

Both systems are doing that well by focusing on gaining more possible alumni within their ranks. This expansion business is dog-eat-dog. What UH has to do is prevail over any possible road bumps and dodge any cattle that may stand in its way.

With strong alumni support shown by a petition started by the UH Alumni Association, UH could come out on top of this waiting game. All it needs is for the state to see what UH has accomplished in the past couple of years and rule in its favor.

Sure, UT has the means to build wherever it wants, but what it doesn't have —what it will never have — is UH's valor.

— The Cougar Editorial Board

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SPORTS 713-743-5303

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Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

BASKETBALL

Ballin' courts

New practice facility opens its doors Both the men's and women's basketball teams moved into the recently completed Guy V. Lewis Development Facility , their new home both on and off the court.

The facility is separated into a men's and women's wing and features full-sized practice courts that overlook the coaches' offices.

Each side also has a locker room complete with screens that scroll through the team's season statistics and notes.

It's sports medicine room has hot and cold tanks for quicker recovery and an adjacent strength and conditioning room. sports@thedailycougar.com

Both teams have their own designated practice courts in the new facility, allowing the teams to practice simultaneously. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

The kitchen lets players make food in the facility. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

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The teams have practice locker rooms furnished with extra lockers for former players to come back and practice or spend time with the team. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

The names and numbers of Houston legends like Clyde Drexler hang above the practice court. | Justin Tijerina/ The Cougar

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 | 9

713-743-5303

thedailycougar.com/sports

sports@thedailycougar.com

SPORTS

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

TRACK AND FIELD

Junior sprinter and jumper is making leaps with Cougars PETER SCAMARDO

STAFF WRITER

Junior sprinter and long jumper Cameron Burrell had about as good a start to the indoor track and field season as possible.

With his performance lacking in his sophomore indoor season and after being redshirted that outdoor season because of an injury, Burrell bounced back at Leonard Hilton Memorial where he had the No. 1 time in the 60m dash.

Now the No. 2 sprinter in the world, Burrell seeks to continue improving his time and fitness to compete at both of NCAA championships this year.

"I'd say it feels exceptionally good to be ranked that high," Burrell said. "I had pretty high expectations going in myself, and it feels excellent to be able to accomplish that. But, I'm still leading the NCAA so I'm happy about that."

Burrell's freshman season saw him clinch two conference titles, for the indoor 60m and the outdoor 200m, as well as trips to both national meets.

But he struggled because of his injury.

"Really, he's kind of healed and had a consistent training regimen," said Leroy Burrell,

his father and head coach. "I think he came into this season a little more focused because he didn't have quite the year that he wanted and that he'd been on the backburner. But the one thing you don't want to run into as a competitor is a hungry athlete who feels they've been slighted, and I think Cameron's in that situation."

Over the summer Burrell got back into shape by training with assistant coach Carl Lewis.

Burrell gave everything over the three months they trained together, and it paid off immediately —he made the national team and represented the U.S. at the North American Central American Championships in Costa Rica.

"I look at Cameron in a broader perspective," Lewis said.

"It's obviously more impressive that he's the No. 1 college sprinter in the country, and he's a long jumper. I'm excited to say that because I think he's going to be a better long jumper than a sprinter, and he could be one of the best sprinters in the world."

Because Burrell is the son of an Olympic gold medalist, people might think he has to prove himself on the track more than others, but that is not the

Burrell, center, is having a bounce-back year in his junior season, having set the top 60m time at the Leonard Hamilton Memorial to open the season. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

case.

Burrell said he is competing at the level he is because he wants to. He has never felt he has had anything to prove and his father never made him feel that way.

Burrell will add the long jump to the list of his competitions, and with the 2016 Summer

Olympics in Rio only months away, the coaches also see this as a way to increase his chances of making the Olympic team.

"Only two men have ever won the 60m and the long jump in NCAA history — a gentleman in the 30s and myself," Lewis said. "It would be amazing that

it would only have been done by three people and have two of them been from UH. That's my goal. That's why I come up here every day and work with him.

I want his name to replace our names." sports@thedailycougar.com

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HELP WANTED Tennis Instructor/ Camp Counselor.

Tennis instructor/counselors needed for our 10 week Summer Camp. Compensation is negotiable. Our camp is located near West University and runs for 10 weeks. Please contact Laura Schmitt at 713-402-5075. Email lschmitt@stlukesmethodist.org Sales Travel Agent. Looking for a better way to Earn the Income and Lifestyle you want? Looking for a Real Long-Term Business that can Grow Independently of your own efforts? Do You know Opportunity when you see It? Duties: Assist in leading, directing and motivating the sales team in order to achieve the overall corporate objectives and goals. Assist in implementing the sales strategies plans. Assist the in generating sales opportunities by identifying appropriate business targets.

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016 | 11 713-743-5303

thedailycougar.com/sports

sports@thedailycougar.com

SPORTS

Bryce Dodds, EDITOR

TENNIS

For first-year head coach, spring offers plenty of challenges EFREN DIOSDADO

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @EFRECORP

Houston women's tennis has had a string of strong seasons in recent years, but first-year head coach Courtney Steinbock has experienced her own share of challenges.

The Cougar had a chance to sit down with Steinbock to talk about the spring season and preparing her team with a new mentality.

The Cougar: How has your first year as a head coach been?

Courtney Steinbock: It is a process, so part of it is respecting that process and knowing that it’s going to be a rough ride until we own it. We don’t own it yet.

It’s been different because we’ve been injured a lot this last fall and heading into the spring season.

Just continue to stay on track with the clean out process and changing the culture of the program, it is a process.

TC: What kind of injuries has the team gone through?

hip, all kinds of stuff. Some of (the injuries were caused by) technique.

We started changing their game a little bit to make sure that injury wasn’t being caused from technique in that process.

The biggest thing that we’re looking for right now is for this team to find themselves, find their game.

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TC: What are the team’s strengths and weaknesses right now?

TC: As a first year head coach, is there anyone that you go to for advice?

CS: I reached out to the former head coach at Oklahoma State. Him and I have been good friends for a while and I was with him when he started the program at Wichita State, so it’s good to pick his brain. You just have to trust the process.

Obviously (assistant coach) Jason (Potthoff) has a lot of experience, and him and I talk constantly about it.

TC: How is the relationship between the teammates?

CS: With a small team like this and (players) that are from different countries, you have some strong personalities.

All of them are returners so they’ve all been around each other. It’s just getting CS: We've got surgery, shoulder, chronic those personalities to not necessarily 10595-Cougar News Feb 3 Brand Ad Half Page-final.pdf 1 2/2/16

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the intensity and the focus has got to be the same in practice as it is in the matches. Because there’s no pressure in practice, we need to be more competitive with each other. Even if it’s in warm up or cross-court rallies, we need to be more competitive in everything that we do.

CS: They’re a very close-knit team.

They’ve had a lot of success in the past so they know what it’s like to be on that stage. It’s our job to help them find that and put them in the right position to be able to have the opportunity to be in that position again.

Senior Maria Cardenas will be looking to close out her season on a strong note in the spring season. | Courtesy of UH Athletics switch over to a different culture but buying into a different culture — not being a different person but knowing that what’s expected from them now has been completely different than in the past.

Each match that we play I want them

12:48 AM

to show their true colors of who they really are.

TC: Do you see anything in practice that you would like to see your players project into games?

CS: For us, it’s got to be the mentality,

Our weakness right now is confidence.

If they can understand that, we have 15 ranked opponents still so our 0-5 is not defining our season right now.

It’s what we do to respond and move forward that’s going to make the team what we are and that’s what we’re trying to find out. I would just say confidence right now but I think that’s something that needs to be instilled within themselves.

sports@thedailycougar.com

12 | Wednesday, February 3, 2016

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