U of Houston sets Hispanic Heritage Night against Colorado
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Carlos Leon-Trejo, Contributor
- September 12, 2025
Houston Cougars celebrate connections to Latino community
HOUSTON – In a city where the Latino presence is in every corner, the University of Houston’s football game against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes will be more than a gridiron contest Friday night.
The Cougars’ Big 12 opener at TDECU Stadium will also be a celebration of Houston’s large Latino community, which shapes the Greater Houston metro area’s identity.
The Cougars will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Night Friday at TDECU Stadium, inviting fans to honor the traditions and music that make up Houston‘s multicultural character. It also spotlights the contributions of students, alumni and families.
“As a Hispanic Serving Institution, it is our responsibility to celebrate our Hispanic Heritage and the Hispanic influence in our campus and our great city,” UH athletic director Eddie Nuñez said. “The opportunity to do both around our football game versus Colorado on Friday night makes it even more special.”
Latinos account for 45.5 percent of Houston’s 2.3 million population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Moreover, 38 percent of the 7.7 million Greater Houston metro area population identify as Latino/Hispanic, according to the Greater Houston Partnership.
In the fall of 2024, Latinos were easily the largest ethnic demographic at UH, comprising 34 percent of the students at UH with 16,336. Asians (21.2 percent, 10,188 students), Whites (17.8 percent) and Blacks (11.9 percent) accounted for the three other largest ethnic groups among the student population at UH.
‘Only fitting’
“UH is considered a Hispanic Serving Institution based on its enrollment of lots of students of Hispanic descent,” said Texas State Rep Armando Walle, a proud UH alum. “It’s only fitting for UH Athletics to offer outreach initiatives for its diverse student population.
“Plus UH resides in a city that has over 2.5 million Spanish-surnamed residents. Los Coogs tambien hablan Español. (The Coogs also speak Spanish.)”
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As part of the Hispanic Heritage Night game, the UH Team shop will feature special Hispanic Heritage merchandise, including Nike and Champion T-shirts, flags and mugs. There will be a Hispanic Heritage Crown coloring station at the Kids’ Zone near TDECU Stadium’s Schroeder Gate 1, where there will be inflatables for children.
The first 10,000 fans at the game will receive “Somos Coogs Rally Towels” courtesy of TDECU.
No Hispanic Heritage Night celebration in Texas would be complete without some sort of tribute to the late Queen of Tejano music Selena. UH is no exception. The school’s Spirit of Houston and the Boston Brass Quintet will feature a tribute to Selena.
The school’s popular Mariachi Pumas will also perform during the game.
“We are expecting an exciting night of football and celebration (Friday) night,” Nuñez said. “As a Cuban-American, I’m honored to be leading the athletic department at the University of Houston that showcases the rich traditions and history of our Hispanic connections.”
Carlos Leon-Trejo
Contributor
Carlos Leon-Trejo is a co-host on the Bring on the Blitz! podcast on the Our Esquina network. A graduate of the University of Houston-Victoria, Leon-Trejo teaches fifth grade math and science in Houston ISD.
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