University of Houston fun facts

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- From a lovable feline to an all-campus fiesta, the University of Houston is full of traditions. Here's a few:

Did you know...

1. There are over 600 people with the last name Smith, Jones or Gonzalez on the UH campus

2. The University of Houston was founded in 1927

3. The University of Houston Football team has produced one Heisman Trophy winner, Andre Ware

4. The University of Houston is the second most ethnically diverse major research university in the United states

5. In 1947 UH launched one of its many traditions by adopting the cougar, later named Shasta as the official mascot

6. Every Friday is declared Cougar red Friday

7. Between 1947 and 1989 five live cougars served as mascots, since Shasta V's death in 1989, costumed students have carried on the tradition

8. Before every big game Cougar fans "rub the paws of the cougar statues" in Cullen family plaza

9. Tom Herman was named head coach on Dec. 16, 2014

10. Tom Herman led Houston to its first New Year's Bowl in 30 years last season going 13-1

11. Tom Herman was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson and Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Awards. Herman was named the FWAA First-Year Coach of the Year and The American's Co-Coach of the Year as a league-best 12 players received postseason honors from The American

12. Tom Herman is married and has a daughter and two sons

13. Tom Herman signed a 3 million dollar deal at the end of last season

14. Tom Herman has coached in 12 different bowl games including last year's win at the chick-fil-a Peach bowl

15. Tom Herman graduated from Cal Lutheran in 1997

16. Tom Herman's hometown is Simi Valley, California

17. Tom Herman has coached at eight different colleges including Texas Lutheran, Texas, Sam Houston State, Texas State, Rice, Iowa State, Ohio State and currently in Houston which is his first head coaching job

Alumni:

-More than 245,600 living alumni (63% live in the Houston area and 75 percent live in the state of Texas)

- 2nd most alumni in the Texas State Legislature

- 4K+ companies are owned or led by UH alumni

- More than 152,000 Houstonians hold bachelor's degrees from UH

- UH is the third largest university in Texas

- More than 7,000 students live on campus in residence halls, apartments and townhouses

- The University of Houston's social media audience (576,000+) could fill every seat in TDECU Stadium, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park and NRG Stadium combined, over three times

- UH is ranked among the most beautiful campuses in the country by online guide Great Value Colleges

- UH is ranked in Princeton Review's 2016 edition of "Colleges That Pay You Back: Schools That Give You the Best Bang for Your Tuition Buck."UH graduates with at least a bachelor's degree have a median starting salary of $51,700 and median mid-career salary of $86,600

- UH is the second most diverse university in the country, with no ethnic or racial group making up a majority. Almost 10 percent of students are international

- UH has been recognized by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities for its work to create an innovative ecosystem