In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Sampson, Director of External Basketball Operations for the Houston Cougars men's basketball team, to explore the evolution of the program—from empty arenas to a sold-out Fertitta Center.

🏀 Lauren shares:

The marketing and culture-building behind Houston’s basketball revival

How student engagement and community strategy were built from scratch

What it’s like managing fan relationships, brand identity, and national tournament pressure

The behind-the-scenes grind of balancing academics, NIL, and team loyalty

🎓 Plus: reflections on graduating student-athletes, the legacy of former Cougars, and how Houston is navigating the era of transfer portals and media deals.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews that go beyond the box score.

#GoCoogs #CollegeBasketball #HoustonCougars

Houston Cougars basketball, Lauren Sampson, college basketball marketing, University of Houston basketball, NCAA tournament, March Madness, basketball culture, college basketball strategy, student athlete life, NIL college sports, basketball branding, Houston sports, Kelvin Sampson, Fertitta Center, Cougar Pride, Final Four stories, college athletics, behind the scenes college sports, fan engagement college sports, basketball operations

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