University of Houston sends student squads to Peach Bowl

The University of Houston football team, which enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever, headed to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl – and it brought along the Spirit of Houston Marching Band, cheerleaders, Cougar dolls and mascots that are an essential part of the game-day experience.

“My favorite part is being in the middle of the action,” Cougar Doll Mercedes Srilamsingha said. “Few students can say they experience college life like we do. We have the best seat in the house at all games.”

The Cougar Dolls, the school’s dance team, includes up to 23 members per year. The cheerleaders, 19 men and women, cheer at all all athletic events and will compete at the National Cheerleading Association Collegiate Cheer Championships in April. The Spirit of Houston Marching Band, with nearly 400 musicians, will march during halftime.

“The Spirit of Houston is a necessary part of the game day experience,” senior trumpet player Alex Pinell said. “The players are used to hearing us play the fight song, and the crowd expects certain songs from us. Plus, the halftime show provides a different form of entertainment during the game. Without us, the experience would be missing something.”