
Houston is on the clock! Photo by Rob Greer.
Last Friday at Discovery Green Park, the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four® Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC) and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner unveiled the Fan Jam Truck—an interactive pop-up truck—as it arrived in Houston to officially pass the proverbial Men’s Final Four host city torch from New Orleans to Houston.
Photo by Rob Greer.
The free event featured pop-up basketball goals, photo opportunities with the Men’s Final Four trophy, giveaways, mascot appearances, a reading nook and more. The Discovery Green stage came alive with band performances from the University of Houston and Texas Southern University – two of the city’s four Final Four host institutions – along with mascot appearances, interactive games for the audience and a special appearance from Mayor Turner.
Photo by Rob Greer.
Attendees brought books for elementary school students, which will be used in the upcoming Read to the Final Four literacy program for area third-grade students.
“Houston is on the clock as host city, and we are ready,” says Holly Kesterson, President of the Houston Local Organizing Committee. She adds, “of course, our city is no stranger to being an incredible host. In fact, Houston has played host to the Men’s Final Four three times already—in 1971, 2011, and 2016. In 2023, we plan to do it bigger and better than ever before.”
Over the next 12 months, the community can expect interactive Fan Jam truck appearances throughout the region; educational initiatives for elementary and college-age students; volunteer opportunities; community impact projects and much more. The tournament week in 2023 will bring fun for residents and visitors alike. On deck are the Men’s Final Four Fan Fest Presented by Capital One; the March Madness Music Festival Presented by Capital One, Coca-Cola and AT&T; and the Final Four Dribble presented by Buick, just to name a few. More information is available at https://www.ncaa.com/mens-final-four.
Organizers of large-scale events and organization leaders can apply to have the Fan Jam Truck make an appearance at their event or initiative between June 2022 and March 2023 at the following link.
About the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four
Houston will host the 2023 Men’s Final Four® from March 31 through April 3, 2023. Houston Baptist University, Rice University, Texas Southern University and the University of Houston will make history as the first quartet of institutions to host the Final Four. Games will be played on April 1 and 3 at NRG Stadium. The city of Houston is hosting the event for the fourth time, having previously crowned national champions in 1971, 2011 and 2016.
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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.