University of Houston graduates say sports helped bring them together as married couple
· Yahoo Sports
Nafis Bhuiyan and his wife, Zerin, aren't just fans of University of Houston hoops; they live it.
When you walk into their Richmond home, photos, merch, and Cougar-red everywhere. This is a family built on Houston basketball.
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"We're both graduates of the University of Houston. That's a pride factor there. That's my school. I have a tie to the program," Nafis said.
So much so that the couple said Cougar athletics didn't just give them memories, but also helped bring them together.
They even took their engagement photos on the field at Robertson Stadium just before it was torn down in 2012.
"Our foundation is sports," Zerin said.
While they were students, the basketball program didn't exactly bring them joyful memories.
"The program was in the dumps. I mean, hardly any students went there. The arena was old," Nafis said.
Then came Kelvin Sampson and everything changed. And for this Cougar family, the winning culture became a way to come together.
"We go to the games. Whenever they are on the road, we watch. Do your projects early so we can sit there and watch the games together," Nafis said.
The couple learned from Kelvin Sampson right from their own home.
"Being a dad, I always try to make it a teachable moment. You need to hustle. You're a future Cougar, you have to play like the Jamal Shead's, like the LJ Cryer's," Nafis said.
"He doesn't like boastfulness. He likes humility. These are life lessons the kids can learn," Zerin said.
And now, the next generation is all in.
"My oldest, her favorite player is Emanuel Sharp. When she plays, she wears number 21 because of him.
For Nafis and Zerin, this isn't just basketball, it's now about family and tradition.
"Our lives revolve around cougar basketball," Nafis said.