Geographist

Robert Horry Born: August 25, 1970 Sport: Basketball (2-time All-SEC, NBA All-Rookie, 7-time NBA Champion) This week we celebrated Christmas, which has historically been a day on the sports calendar that NBA matchups grab the spotlight.  This year, the NFL decided to try capturing the attention of average sports fans but the matchups were exceptionally poor.  Every one of the basketball games was more compelling than the three contests that football was able to muster, including a win by the local team over LA.  Looking at the history of NBA games between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, two of the marquis teams in the western conference, there have been numerous moments that have been relevant.  But today I thought it would be fun to look at the story of one of the players who wore both uniforms during his career, a man who impacted my own game when I was playing competitive basketball as a kid.  He has become one of the most scrutinized players ...

I've been on a cruise this weekend so will take the week off from posting.  I wish all of you a very merry Christmas, and thank you for continuing to visit this site.  Feel free to go back and read an old topic, and I'll see you after the break! 

AJ Foyt Born: January 16, 1935 Sports: Auto Racing (14 total national championships, 172 major race wins, Triple Crown of endurance racing, Hall of Fame) This week, NASCAR was in the news as a settlement was reached in a far-reaching antitrust lawsuit with team owners, including Michael Jordan.  The main figure on the NASCAR side of the dispute was chairman and majority owner Jim France, the 81-year-old son of NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr.  It was on this date, December 16, 1947, that Bill Sr. met in a Florida hotel with a group of influential figures in American racing to create the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing.  It would compete for supremacy with open-wheel racing (known as Indy car) over the decades, and many Texans have headlined the sport on both sides.  One driver, however, stands head and shoulders above the rest and has etched his name into history as one of the greatest all-around racers.  So this week we'll learn more about Houston'...

Bum Phillips Born: September 29, 1923 Sport: Football (82-77 record as an NFL head coach) Today is December 7, and although the generation that experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor has largely passed into the pages of history, the United States swore never to forget the events of that day in late 1941.  You can read my own blog post here on the history and geographic impact on that fateful day:  The Attack on Pearl Harbor .  There is a Houston sports tie to World War II that certainly merits the spotlight, as a figure who has been identified with the city's most memorable and beloved eras was impacted by the global events and made a decision that changed the course of his life.  The fact that both professional franchises that he coached, as well as the team in the city he called home, all found their way to wins today also makes Bum Phillips a great choice for this week's focus.  Let's take a look at the most Texan coach in Houston history. The Astrodome durin...

Buddy Dial Born: January 17, 1937 Sport: Football (All-American, 2-time Pro Bowl, College Football Hall of Fame) College football wrapped up this week with an impressive slate of rivalry games.  As is typically the case, the emotions for players and fans frequently ran high, and both the wins and losses seemed to matter just a little bit more.  One of the Houston schools that we don't associate with recent football prowess despite its historical successes is Rice University.  Although the Owls lost their final game of this season and missed out on their chance to be eligible for a postseason bowl game, I wanted to highlight one of their own players that was notable during his time on campus, continued to have a successful pro career, and also laid the foundation for a group that impacts athletics to this day.  Perhaps the spotlight shining on Buddy Dial will help ease the sting, so let's sit back and learn more about this local product who took his talent all the way...

Case Keenum Born: February 17, 1988 Sport: Football (All-American, All-time NCAA FBS Records - completions, passing yards, passing TDs) The college football season is nearing its conclusion while teams in the NFL begin to realize whether they have a shot at making the playoffs.  The sports talk shows often focus on individual accomplishments at this time of year - who has a chance at winning an award or who might reach a particular milestone.  One player in Houston set records that still remain unequaled in the college game, but has been considered an overachiever by making a mark on the professional game.  Case Keenum has continued to prove his doubters wrong as he's forged an impressive 13-year career in the NFL with eight different franchises, including three separate stints with the Houston Texans.  Whether he'll continue his career once this season is done or begin a new chapter in life, he's certainly earned a spot in our list.  So let's learn a bit about ...

Mike Munchak Born: March 5, 1960 Sport: Football (All American, 9-time Pro Bowl, 8-time All Pro, Hall of Fame)  The current Houston professional football team played the former Houston professional football team today, and for the second time this season the Texans ended up on top, beating the Titans.  Plenty of figures have been involved on both sides of the rivalry, or have at least called both locations "home" during their careers.  It has been a sore point for many years that an organization in Nashville can claim the legacies of Houston's best players, but that just adds to a hard-fought rivalry that has a historical head-to-head record of exactly 24 wins apiece.  This week we'll get to learn about a great player who spent his entire playing career in Space City but landed in rival territory when it came time to have a coaching career.  It should be noted, however, that only the Houston portion of the resume of Mike Munchak was worthy of being enshrined in ...

Jim McIngvale Born: February 11, 1951 Sports: Football (2-time national champion), Gambling (world record gambling payout) With so many sports seasons currently going on, I thought it would be fun to look at the life of a Houston legend that has had his hand in many of them, if not all.  Having made a name for himself with a local furniture store and its memorable commercials, Mattress Mack is one of the biggest superfans of our local teams.  What many within the city may not know, however, is that one of our favorite sons was also involved in a bit of sports history along the way, and it has influenced his life every step of the way.  So let's get to know the story of our very own Jim McIngvale. The home of Gallery Furniture has remained at its original location since the early 1980s Jim McIngvale was born in Starkville, Mississippi, in 1951 as the second of six children born to George and Angela McIngvale.  George had been a soldier during World War II and worked i...

Brian Cushing Born: January 24, 1987 Sport: Football (All American, Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl, All Pro) As the pro football season marches on, I thought we should look at yet another member of the Houston Texans that left a memorable mark on the city's sports scene.  As the team took the field today, one of the early success stories of the franchise was present in an especially visible manner, as Brian Cushing gave a speech to help induct former owner Janice McNair into the team's Ring of Honor.  It was a special moment, and an interesting one for a player that many believe is one of the most deserving to receive that honor that still remains on the outside.  Whether or not he'll get the call someday remains to be seen, but the longtime defensive anchor for the Texans certainly had a career that merits the conversation.  Let's dive into the story of Texans linebacker Brian Cushing.  Reliant Stadium in 2009, Cushing's first season in Houston A produc...

Elvin Hayes Born: November 17, 1945 Sport: Basketball (2-time All-American, Collegiate Player of the Year, 12-time All-Star, 6-time All-NBA, Hall of Fame) I originally had other plans for our focus this week, but hopefully my change of plans is well-received.  All of the major professional sports are currently underway, with baseball about to wrap up and crown a new champ, football in the midst of their regular season, and both hockey and basketball recently getting started.  It was basketball that caught my attention, however, as the local team has welcomed a new superstar who will likely end his career in the Hall of Fame.  But since he's new in town, I'll give him a year before we let him get onto our list.  Instead, I've decided to go back in time to learn about someone who had a laundry list of "firsts" for the city of Houston, a giant man known as much for his skill as his durability, Elvin Hayes. Hayes played at numerous arenas across Houston during his thr...

George Blanda Born: September 17, 1927 Sport: Football (4-time All-AFL, 4-time AFL All-Star, MVP, Hall of Fame) I hope everyone has had a wonderful time since my last post, because I had a blast on a short cruise with my wife.  We definitely recommend the experience to anyone who hasn't had a chance to enjoy sailing away and disconnecting for a while.  As indicated on last week's post, we crossed the 300,000 threshold for views on this blog and it's mind-blowing to me to think about that many clicks on a website that just has a bunch of things I'm learning and want to share.  Thanks to all!  As we climb back into the study of Houston athletic figures, this week we'll go back in time to our city's first professional quarterback and the only man to bring football titles to a city that is obsessed with the gridiron.  Since it's been a long time since my last post, I thought it would be fun to look at someone who spent a long time playing the game he loved - Geo...