Forget the on-field success.
Coach Gibbs gave Houston's defense, more significantly our team, a clear brand identity.
The Third Ward D.
I don't know if he invented it, or if he just borrowed it from the kids and made it his moniker.
Regardless, it was brilliant.
First, it resonated with the team, and with recruits.
But more importantly, it served to transform what for me was always a negative about the school into a positive.
I'm 55 years old. When I considered colleges I didn't even give Houston a whiff. Why not? When I grew up in Houston, the 3rd Ward was considered a scary place. The school wasn't known for marketing, and I wasn't known for pioneering.
So I went to Austin. Great choice for me (understand nits not for everyone). Left college and went West to LA. Took a few grad classes at USC (welcome to Watts you chicken shit).
Have moved plenty of places since.
Regardless of how far I live from Houston, for the past 10 years I have made it home to at least one game. Largely came on campus from Gulf Coast Fwy. Left quickly the same way.
This year I decided that I wanted to see the Trey. Like with everything else in Houston, it is mind boggling. Renovation and construction on seemingly every block. Not calling the area River Oaks, but to my eyes, very much on the way to be the Heights.
Truth be told, the Trey is on the rise. As is the University. As are the athletic programs.
I hope that the "3rd Ward D" remains the team handle. I hope that while it will be Coach Herman, he will mention 'Word from the Tre'. I hope that the school and the city embrace this identity as Miami has embraced the U.
UofH and the Tre are synonymous. David Gibbs recognized it and incorporated it into the lingo. I think the defense was proud to play under that mantle, and I think recruits wanted to become a part of it as well. I know we have the Jackboyz and the O-show and the Gun Club.
But while word from the Tre is that while we have lost a helluva good football coach, we do not have to lose the tradition that he had begun to establish at Houston. The Third Ward. The Third Ward D. The Third Ward University. Wear it and be proud.
Coach Gibbs gave Houston's defense, more significantly our team, a clear brand identity.
The Third Ward D.
I don't know if he invented it, or if he just borrowed it from the kids and made it his moniker.
Regardless, it was brilliant.
First, it resonated with the team, and with recruits.
But more importantly, it served to transform what for me was always a negative about the school into a positive.
I'm 55 years old. When I considered colleges I didn't even give Houston a whiff. Why not? When I grew up in Houston, the 3rd Ward was considered a scary place. The school wasn't known for marketing, and I wasn't known for pioneering.
So I went to Austin. Great choice for me (understand nits not for everyone). Left college and went West to LA. Took a few grad classes at USC (welcome to Watts you chicken shit).
Have moved plenty of places since.
Regardless of how far I live from Houston, for the past 10 years I have made it home to at least one game. Largely came on campus from Gulf Coast Fwy. Left quickly the same way.
This year I decided that I wanted to see the Trey. Like with everything else in Houston, it is mind boggling. Renovation and construction on seemingly every block. Not calling the area River Oaks, but to my eyes, very much on the way to be the Heights.
Truth be told, the Trey is on the rise. As is the University. As are the athletic programs.
I hope that the "3rd Ward D" remains the team handle. I hope that while it will be Coach Herman, he will mention 'Word from the Tre'. I hope that the school and the city embrace this identity as Miami has embraced the U.
UofH and the Tre are synonymous. David Gibbs recognized it and incorporated it into the lingo. I think the defense was proud to play under that mantle, and I think recruits wanted to become a part of it as well. I know we have the Jackboyz and the O-show and the Gun Club.
But while word from the Tre is that while we have lost a helluva good football coach, we do not have to lose the tradition that he had begun to establish at Houston. The Third Ward. The Third Ward D. The Third Ward University. Wear it and be proud.
