FROM CLUTCH TO COOG
From Clutch to Coog: Former Rockets mascot boosts University of Houston's football program
Oct 2, 2018, 5:00 am
After 21 years of suiting up as the Rockets mascot, Boudwin has a new clutch Houston role. Photo by Owen Conflenti
This article originally appeared on CultureMap.
Robert Boudwin, the man behind (and inside) Clutch the Bear for 21 years at Houston Rockets games, has a new role. He is now the assistant athletic director for marketing and events presentation at the University of Houston.
I'll translate that job title for you — Boudwin is in charge of putting butts in seats at UH football games.
He's got his work cut out for him.
Geographically, colleges located in NFL cities, like Houston, don't draw huge crowds to their football games. The NFL is simply the bigger draw and dominates sports media. The Houston Texans sell every seat to every game at 72,220-capacity NRG Stadium, and has a waiting list for season's tickets a mile long.
Even when the University of Miami was racking up national titles in the '80s, the Hurricanes failed to sell out most of its games in the Orange Bowl. Georgia Tech (Atlanta), Arizona State (near Phoenix), Boston College (Boston), and SMU (Dallas) don't pack their football stadiums.
Historically, colleges located near recreational water in warm climates don't fill their football stadiums, either. There's just too many other things to do on sunny Saturdays. And sadly, colleges that belong to secondary, non-Power 5 conferences, like UH in the American Athletic Conference, aren't making scalpers rich on StubHub.
Last year, UH averaged 32,000 fans last year in the 40,000-capacity TDECU Stadium. So far this year, attendance has been about the same — 32,000 against Arizona on September 8 and 30,000 against Texas Southern on September 22. Rice struggles even more, averaging fewer than 20,000 fans in a stadium that holds 47,000.
From Clutch to Coog
Boudwin, a first-ballot inductee into Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006, says UH has a few things going for it, plus he's got a few tricks up his sleeve.
"Engaging fans and providing the best game experience for them is a new priority at UH. This position was created specifically for me. They're giving me all the tools I need to make UH games a fun and memorable time," Boudwin says.
Some are nuts-and-bolts ideas, like free face-painting and hair-spraying stations at the stadium — and the biggest spirit flag in U.S. sports. One burly cheerleader will wave a 22-foot flag reading "Eat 'em up Coogs" as the team takes the field. The previous biggest flag? The 21-foot banner that Clutch unfurled at Rockets games when Boudwin ran the show at Toyota Center. There will be a DJ with two turntables at top of the student section.
A new tradition: Before each game, a Houston celebrity will lead the crowd in the H-Town Declaration: "This is our house, this is our city, you are now in the cage!"
Boudwin doesn't accept the notion that college football can't thrive in an NFL town. For several factors, like Houston's climate and thriving economy, and UH having a large commuter student base, UH students tend to stick around here after they graduate.
"I don't believe that UH football is secondary in a lot of people's minds," he says. "UH has 270,000 alumnae within the Houston area. They have an affinity for the place where they went to school. They do have tons of passion for this school. My job is to show them a good time at games."
Of course there are some things that even a two-time NBA "Mascot of the Year" can't control: "I would consider it a personal favor if it didn't rain Thursday night," when Tulsa visits the Coogs at TDECU Stadium on October 4.
Ken's cuts
CBS is bringing back Murphy Brown, the '90s sitcom starring Candice Bergen. One week in, the ratings are a dud, nothing near what Roseanne pulled last year. Murphy Brown, wasn't funny then ...
The thing is, bringing back shows is tricky. I've got a bad feeling about Magnum P.I., which I once liked. Seinfeld may be my favorite show ever, but I would be horrified at the thought of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer doing it again.
Tasty trivia
I ate at a famous restaurant recently. Sign on the wall said "World's Leading Server of T-Bone Steaks." Can you name the restaurant?
(Answer: Waffle House. I ordered pancakes.)
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The Astros didn’t leave Seattle with a series win, but they may have gained something just as important: a reminder that resilience still runs deep in this group.
After a grueling extra-inning loss on Saturday, one that included the loss of Isaac Paredes to a hamstring injury, Houston regrouped on Sunday and hammered the Mariners 11-3. Christian Walker provided the turning point with a much-needed go-ahead home run in the sixth inning, while Taylor Trammell added a two-run double and a solo shot of his own. With Chas McCormick back from the injured list but still finding his footing, Trammell is quickly making his case as the best option in center field moving forward.
Manager Joe Espada continues to juggle a lineup that’s been in constant flux. Rookie Cam Smith, who had a clutch two-run double in Sunday’s win, has struggled as of late, going just 2-for his last 24. While his ability to get hits in clutch situations has been extremely valuable, the lack of a consistent spot in the batting order may be taking its toll. Giving Smith a stable home in the cleanup spot, even temporarily, might be a helpful reset.
Then again, the cleanup role hasn’t been kind to everyone.
Last night, Christian Walker, batting 4th, went 0-4, 2 K
- Walker for the season, batting 4th: .167 BA, .498 OPS
- Both are MLB worst (min. 75 AB batting 4th, 51st of 51)
- His 210 AB batting 4th are 6th most in MLB
- He's hitting .317 w/ .887 OPS when batting anywhere but 4th
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 19, 2025
Walker has been markedly less effective when hitting fourth this season, a trend that continues despite his strong Sunday performance. Sometimes, the data is clear: the four-hole might not be for him. He's literally been the worst cleanup option in baseball this season. Hit him fifth.
Behind the plate, Victor Caratini continues to impress, while Yainer Diaz is back in a cold stretch. Since the break, Diaz is just 1-for-14, raising questions about his timing and confidence as the summer grind deepens.
On the mound, the biggest developments are happening off the field. Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti both completed three-inning rehab outings with Double-A Corpus Christi, while Luis Garcia threw two innings in a rehab start with Low-A Fayetteville. The trio’s return could mark a major turning point for the Astros, especially as Lance McCullers continues to struggle in his own comeback. McCullers lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Saturday’s loss, allowing four runs and showing little of the form that once made him one of the rotation’s anchors.
There’s been hesitancy to replace McCullers with someone like Arrighetti while he’s still building back arm strength, but the argument grows thinner each time McCullers falters. If healthy, even a three- or four-inning version of Javier or Arrighetti could give Houston more consistency at the back of the rotation.
Despite the weekend loss, the Astros still hold one of the best offenses in baseball, second in batting average, 12th in OPS, and 11th in slugging. The pitching staff remains stout, ranking sixth in ERA and second in WHIP. This team is far from unraveling.
With reinforcements on the way and a lineup that’s still capable of putting up crooked numbers, the Astros aren’t panicking. If anything, Sunday’s blowout win showed they’re ready to weather whatever’s next.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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