2009-10 Prestige #123 Elvin Hayes

Hooray! New Elvin Hayes cards are starting to come out for 2009. This is the 2009-10 Prestige #123 from Panini.

It's not the best looking card. Layout? I guess it's OK. The picture? Again OK. Are the edges washed out from the lights or is that a poor Photoshop effect?

One thing I do like is the classic Rockets uniform. I like the red and yellow so much more than the red and white or the red, white, and blue.

1998 Hoops Shout Outs #22 Hakeem Olajuwon

Sometimes you may like a card because it has an autograph. Or maybe it has a piece of memorabilia. Or it has chrome or foil printing. Or maybe it is a refractor. Or over the top graphics. But sometimes a card is great due to its simplicity such as the 1998 Hoops Shout Outs #22 featuring Hakeem Olajuwon.

First you start with a good photograph from an interesting angle. Second you use a simple card design. Instead of using excessive graphics, the underutilized technique of using white space doesn't detract from the photograph. Instead it enhances the picture. Finally using a simple, understated font completes the less is more theme of the design.

My only problem with this card is the little "sh" and the large "out." The text appears to spell shouts instead of shout outs. That's a minor flaw in an otherwise great looking card.

1990 Topps Traded #129T Alfred Oglesby

Cougar great Alfred Oglesby passed away Saturday.

Oglesby played for the University of Houston from 1987 to 1989. That great 1989 Coog team was known for its offense that scored 53.5 points per game and produced a Heisman trophy winner. But the defense was amazing too, allowing only 13.6 points per game with two shutouts.

Oglesby was a standout on the 1989 team. He led the team in tackles with 104. He was a Sporting News All American Honorable Mention and an All Southwest Conference first teamer.

He was selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. He played in the NFL from 1990 to 1995 for the Dolphins, Packers, Jets, and Bengals.

Today's card is his only rookie card, the 1990 Topps Traded #129T. Unfortunately it's not the most exciting design or photograph.

He was also featured on three cards in 1992: GameDay #411, Topps #434, and Topps Gold #434.

Coogs Win!!!!

Congratulations to the Coogs today! The University of Houston football team beat #5 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, OK.

Today's win is the first road win against a top 5 opponent since UH beat 6-0-1 #3 Texas on 11-10-1984. The Coogs went on to be Southwest Conference Co-Champions tying with SMU. Houston went to the Cotton Bowl based on its victory over SMU.

While UH has been known for its offense for much of its history, the 1984 Coogs had some incredible defensive players that went on to the NFL. Three of them are T J Turner, Audray McMillian, and Simon Fletcher who are featured below.

T J Turner
1989 Topps #294


Audray McMillian
1993 Fleer #259


Simon Fletcher
1994 SkyBox Impact #75

Cougar Cards

Attention University of Houston students! You are very lucky. Why?

1) You are a student at the University of Houston
2) You have a professor like Simon Bott that cares about you and the University of Houston
3) You have a great opportunity to collect some unique Cougar trading cards

Since this blog focuses on Cougar collectibles, this post is about item 3.

The Daily Cougar recently had an article on Cougar Cards, a way to increase student participation in UH activities, a way to collect Cougar memorabilia and learn more about the school, and a way to get prizes.

As much as possible, every UH student should participate in school activities. It improves your collegiate experience, creates a stronger community, and most importantly, it's fun! And now you get the bonus of receiving Cougar cards.

The checklist is amazing. You have Cougar legends like Clyde Drexler, David Klingler, and Jim Nantz. You have current athletes like Case Keenum and Aubrey Coleman. You have athletes from sports other than football and basketball like swimmers, soccer players, and softball players. (I had a great time attending almost every sport when I was in school. I especially loved going to volleyball matches.) You have coaches like Kevin Sumlin, Tom Penders, and Bill Yeoman. You have important campus figures like President Renu Khator, Regents, Student Government President, and new Athletic Director Mack Rhoades. All that and more.

Below is a sample card. I hope to have more images soon and will post them if & when I get them.

Check out the Cougar Trading Cards website for more information like a complete checklist, events where you can receive cards, and a list of prizes. The event list is very diverse so there is something for everyone. Looking at the list makes me really miss my college days. Sure you have obvious things like football games and volleyball matches, but you also have non-sports related events like going to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, watching Friday the 13th, or hearing a recital or concert. Other more serious educational events such as Time Management, Resume Writing, and Job Search workshops are included which I highly recommend. I'm amazed at how many people in the business world don't know the basics of putting together a resume or conducting a job search. I'm thankful I went to several workshops while I was a student.

So start going to these events today.

2007 Sweet Spot Pigskin Signatures Dual #KS Kevin Kolb

Sometimes the concept of a card sounds great, but the card fails miserably. The 2007 Sweet Spot Pigskin Signatures Dual #KS featuring Kevin Kolb falls into that category.

The concept is great. Two highly drafted rookie quarterbacks. Both of their autographs on a piece of a football. Pictures of both players. Only 50 copies of the card. That sounds wonderful.

But just look at this. The pictures look fine. The pigskin background looks good. But the autographs... What should be and is the focal point of the card looks horrible. The autographs are completely illegible. Some players have bad autographs in general, but that is not the problem here. Generally Kolb's signature is very stylized, but it is usually legible. In this case, the texture of the football makes both signatures unrecognizable scratches of silver.

Good concept. Disappointing card.

1992 Stadium Club #259 T. J. Turner

A Cougar great passed away today. T. J. Turner died from complications of a stroke.

T. J. played defensive tackle for the University of Houston from 1982 to 1985 and had an incredible career. He was captain of the 1985 team along with center Todd Schoppe. His name is all over the Cougar record books.

• 1st in career tackles for a loss with 66


• 3rd in career sacks with 30


• 8th in sacks for a season with 11 in 1984


• 2nd in tackles for a loss with 23 in 1984


• 4th in tackles for a loss with 21 in 1985


• Led the team in sacks in 1982, 1984, and 1985

He also was awarded several honors.

• Football News Freshman All American in 1982


• Sporting News 2nd Team All American and AP & UPI Honorable Mention in 1984


• 2nd Team All Southwest Conference in 1983


• 1st Team All Southwest Conference in 1984 & 1985

He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 3rd round of the 1986 NFL draft where he played from 1986-1992.

My prayers go out for him and his family.