Interview: UH's Taucha Hogue Advances to Championship Round

She's back Houstonist! Taucha Hogue has advanced to the championship round for College Cheerleader of the Year and she needs your vote! Taucha squares of against Arkansas' Laura Cole and she currently trails 54% to 46% as of Monday night.

Ok, Taucha, here we are in championship round. Are you starting to feel the pressure of being in the BIG game?

There is pressure out there for the fact there are so many people rooting for Houston to win. The efforts by Cougar fans, alumni and my family and friends have been endless in making sure people know about the competition and the “Big win” would be a great reward. We had successfully pulled ahead before the votes were reset and now we are proving that Houston won’t let a speed bump interfere with our fight for our red and white! Win or lose, we have been able to portray our school to the rest of the world in a positive manner as well as illustrate our diehard dedication to our university. That matters more than winning any day.

Taucha, local athletes such as Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte have been accusesd of taking performance enhancers to improve their game; have you taken any performance enhancers to improve your look? Or does everyone really love a Texas girl?

If your definition of performance enhancers includes regular visits to the beauty salon and lengthy preparation for the normal day, then I’d have to say yes to of taken them, but if not, then I will contest to everyone loving a Texas girl. :)

Taucha, you're the most popular student to grace the UH campus since Hakeem Olajuwon. Is there a Taucha Hogue buzz going around campus?

First of all, it is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as Hakeem Olajuwon. He does so much for the University of Houston to gain a positive recognition and increase pride in our school that it is unbelievable I would be named a follower in his footsteps. I do think there is a small “Taucha” buzz going around, but I think it is powered by school spirit and the passion for Cougar victory.

Taucha, is it true you run to each class being chased by freshmen boys?

As exciting as that scenario sounds, I would not say it is a realistic one for me. I have had huge support from many freshman guys and girls as well as other classifications, but luckily none of them have chased me to class yet. I have had a few autograph requests though, including a UH cap, a business card and even a guy’s chest. That was interesting, but I guess you could call it flattering as well.

What's the best thing about the University of Houston that someone might not know about?

One of the best things about the University of Houston is the power the students and alumni have to influence the world we live in today and on into the future. UH students invest more than 920,000 hours annually working in the community to better develop the skills needed to be successful after graduating. There are also more than 3,500 Houston alumni who either head their own company or are CEO’s and CFO’s of various businesses and corporations. Some of these alumni include the U.S. Secretary of Education, the CEO of Sears, Dynegy, Neiman Marcus and the owner of the San Diego Padres just to name a few. The University of Houston has the qualities needed to advance its students to their ultimate potential and that is one reason I love UH!

The basketball team is 13-3 this year, best start since the Phi Slamma Jamma years. Tell us Taucha, is this the year the Coogs finally make the NCAA tournament?

This is definitely the year for the Coogs to dominate the season and make it to the NCAA tournament. The team has really been dedicated and determined to fight for the tournament spot and I think this is the year it could happen.

Voting for College Cheerleader of the Year ends Thursday, January 24 at 11 a.m. You can vote here: College Cheerleader of the Year Finals.

Photo: ****Spirit of Houston *****