Tilman Fertitta was honored Thursday during a private opening celebration of the Fertitta Center, as the school ushers in a new era for the Houston Cougars.
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The entrepreneur was also inducted into the UH Athletics Hall of Honor during the invitation-only ceremony, which featured a ribbon cutting at center court, a 3D laser light display and video tribute.
"Tilman has given our athletic program a new level of confidence," UH President Renu Khator said. "His impact on the way we think about and approach athletics, and the way we go after big dreams is enormous."
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Fertitta's $20 million gift is the largest individual donation ever to Houston Athletics. The donation aided a $60 million transformation of what was once Hofheinz Pavilion into the new center.
The Cougars will officially reveal the Fertitta Center wider to UH fans against the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 1 on ESPN2.
GO COOGS! Here’s your first look inside the new @UHouston Fertitta Center. The ribbon will be cut tonight! https://t.co/YdVjLlBgLg pic.twitter.com/b3AO5RLFLd
— Nick Natario (@NickABC13) November 30, 2018
“We don’t even have this at the Toyota Center.”
— Nick Natario (@NickABC13) November 30, 2018
Tilman Fertitta looks in awe at @UHouston’s new Fertitta Center. The @HoustonRockets owner gave the university $20 million for the project. https://t.co/YdVjLlBgLg pic.twitter.com/N4KpgrFAzI