TV ratings say they could. The Houston area will get behind a Cougar program being successful in a Power 5 conference. Houston has changed in 25 years....grown incredibly.
But how much of that is from the main campus? Aren't most students at the other campuses in the commuter category?
Just as UT-Austin doesn't include numbers from UT-Arlington, UH doesn't include numbers from any of the other campuses (even UH-downtown) If you don't believe the numbers, show up to campus on day 1 of this fall semester.
Nobody at UH-Victoria, UH-Clear Lake, or UH-Downtown is counted as a UH main campus student. They are free standing. The only satellite people who count towards the main campus population are those at UH-Sugarland.
Tough to say Central Florida has no shot. Like you said, they are the 3rd largest school in the country. They are also sitting in the 19th largest tv market as well and for a conference that has zero presence in the state, planting a flag right in the middle of the state's 2nd largest market has it's appeal. It's very similar to what the SEC did with A&M but obviously on a smaller scale. Central Florida athletics was absolutely abysmal last season but you can't compare UH's best season ever with UCF's worst and make the decision based on that. UCF has won 4 Conference Titles in the last 9 years. It'll be very interesting to see what Scott Frost does for them. Thought that was one of the better coaching hires in last season's carousel.
I live right down the street from UH and have for years. Although I've seen the housing upgrades, it still seems like a commuter school. You can tell moreso at night than in the day. Similar to downtown. It's more alive now but still not quite there yet. Thanks for the response though. I asked because I didn't know.
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Living down the street is different from walking around the campus unless you're constantly peeking out your windows.
Whatever happens, happens. It would suck if we dont get in, but at least i'll be glad to know it wasn't because we didnt do everything possible to get in.
So what if I spend various times walking on and driving around the campus since it has some food spots that aren't available anywhere else that's closer? Or a spot to run nearby? Does that count?
Who knows what will happen. However a couple points. Last year wasn't the best season in team history. They have been finished as high as 4 and 5 before. And had a span in the SWC where they were 4, 11, 5 to finish the seasons while in the SWC. They have won in the past. In fact they had a span in 12 years where they finished in the top 20 11 times. The school has changed a lot the last 20 years, it is FAR less of a commuter school than it was in the past, it has grown greatly and the overall facilities are greatly improved since the 1990's. For what is worth, UH has won more games that UT or Auburn over the last decade, and only a couple less than Ok St. and Mich St. I don't think the Big XII is a fit, because I don't believe the second tier schools in Texas (TT, BU, TCU) want to compete with UH for Texas recruits. I also believe the Big XII wants to expand it's influence outside of the South West. The ACC and PAC both are more likely landing spots, and living in Big X country, I don't think it is that far fetched if UH got an invite to their conference either. I know that everyone in Texas that is a UH fan wants the Big XII, I just do not think it is that stable of a conference.
Then you are not paying attention. My niece goes there, and it is far different than even a handful of years ago.
Far different as in better, but still a commuter school. Most students don't live on or around the campus. Aside from the dorms it's still mostly residential folks around the school and slums that have yet to gentrify.
Yeah, let's disregard the actual numbers--the empirical data that shows the growth--and go with your flimsy anecdotal evidence. Sure.
I apologize if I came across as rude. I agree that simply building more housing isn't going to shake the "commuter culture", but i assure you that the administration is doing its part. One big change ive noticed is that orientation is now an overnight event that includes a stay at the freshman dorms and tons of spirit-building activities. It's a far cry from my bare bones orientation about a decade ago. I'm pretty confident that they'll achieve their goal.
I didn't say it wasn't growing or that things haven't changed. I said even with those changes its still a commuter school. IMO, UH needs to acquire some surrounding land to really change things. It's not so much as the extra housing, but more things to do around the campus to draw students to it outside of class hours. As is, most students don't live on or near the campus and when they go home they go home. You can really tell in the evenings and weekends. Or maybe students will feel safer being around at night once the area gentrifies, since the campus is right next to the bottoms. But please link me to the actual numbers that show UH is no longer a commuter school. That's all I'm saying. It's not there "yet".
