The University of Houston Athletics program today announced support from Memorial Hermann Health System for UH’s planned state-of-the-art Houston Football Operations Center and scholarships for Houston’s student-athletes.
In recognition of the agreement, the University has awarded Memorial Hermann naming rights to the center, which will be known as the Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center. The athletic training facilities within both the Center and the Athletics/Alumni Center also will bear Memorial Hermann’s name.
“To have an entity as prestigious as Memorial Hermann step up and put their name on a very visible and important component in our Football Operations Center is gratifying and humbling,” said Chris Pezman, UH vice president for athletics. “It comes at a great time as we join the Big 12 and break ground on our facility at the end of the 2023 season.”
The University of Houston became an official member of the Big 12 Conference on July 1. The planned $130 million Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center will feature amenities including state-of-the-art sports performance centers, an academic support services suite, a leading-edge locker room facility, student-athlete flex space and office space to house the Houston Football coaching and support staff. The Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center will also provide additional premium seating to TDECU Stadium with 14 suites, a 450-seat club section with access to an 11,000-square-foot club and 300-seat roof terrace facing inward to John O’Quinn Field. The center is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
Memorial Hermann’s support will enhance opportunities for student-athletes, the University as a whole, as well as the Greater Houston community.
“Memorial Hermann strives to make Greater Houston a place where everyone can achieve their full potential, and that includes the outstanding student-athletes who’ve helped usher the University of Houston into the Big 12,” said David L. Callender, MD, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann. “Our partnership with the University of Houston is part of our commitment to serving everyone who calls Houston home. We are thrilled to be part of UH’s athletic journey and can’t wait to celebrate its accomplishments on and off the field.”
With 17 hospitals and numerous specialty programs and services located throughout the Greater Houston area, Memorial Hermann is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in Texas.
“We are incredibly grateful for Memorial Hermann’s generous support and for their commitment to our university and athletics program. This partnership represents a transformative opportunity as we embark on an exciting new chapter in the Big 12,” said Renu Khator, University of Houston president. “The Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center will elevate the experience for our student-athletes, providing them with the resources to enable success on and off the field. Together, we are poised to achieve new heights.”