Drawn to Victory
How one Cougar fan turned devotion into digital poetry.
Every game. Every win. Every heartbreak. This season, University of Houston alumnus Cory Rodriguez (’18) transformed Cougar basketball into art, one illustration at a time. Armed with nothing but an iPad and a love for his team, Rodriguez captured the season’s soul: the grit of game-day battles, the thrill of buzzer-beating wins and the quiet power of a hug between head coach Kelvin Sampson and J’Wan Roberts on Senior Night.
Coach Kelvin Sampson wrapped guard L.J. Cryer in a hug following his 22-point contribution to their win over Kansas.
Coach Kelvin Sampson wrapped guard L.J. Cryer in a hug following his 22-point contribution to their win over Kansas.
What began as a personal challenge bloomed into digital poetry. Each piece tells a story, a visual chronicle of Houston’s historic season, with every detail personal and meaningful.
Guard Milos Uzan scored a career-high 22 points against Texas Tech — including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Guard Milos Uzan scored a career-high 22 points against Texas Tech — including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Scoring 17 points against Baylor, L.J. Cryer once again helped UH pull out a victory against the Bears.
Scoring 17 points against Baylor, L.J. Cryer once again helped UH pull out a victory against the Bears.
In the afterglow of UH’s 72-64 victory over Arizona, guard Emanuel Sharp celebrated his hard-won Big 12 MVP title.
In the afterglow of UH’s 72-64 victory over Arizona, guard Emanuel Sharp celebrated his hard-won Big 12 MVP title.
L.J. Cryer matched his 30-point career high to help Houston break Gonzaga’s record run of nine Sweet 16 wins.
L.J. Cryer matched his 30-point career high to help Houston break Gonzaga’s record run of nine Sweet 16 wins.
A relentless Cougar defense and Emanuel Sharp’s 16-point contribution proved too much for the Tennessee Volunteers, breaking a single-season win record.
A relentless Cougar defense and Emanuel Sharp’s 16-point contribution proved too much for the Tennessee Volunteers, breaking a single-season win record.
In one piece, Baylor transfer L.J. Cryer is seen chasing a bear up a tree — a clever nod to his former team, layered with rivalry and redemption. In the illustration capturing UH’s emotional victory over Duke, Rodriguez included a powerful tribute to former Cougar standout Reggie Chaney, who passed away in 2023. Hovering just behind Roberts, who is shown blocking a shot by Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, is a haloed Chaney — immortalized as an angel, still backing up his teammates.
Rodriguez’s tribute to former Cougar standout Reggie Chaney, who passed away in 2023. Hovering just behind J’Wan Roberts is a haloed Chaney, immortalized as an angel.
Rodriguez’s tribute to former Cougar standout Reggie Chaney, who passed away in 2023. Hovering just behind J’Wan Roberts is a haloed Chaney, immortalized as an angel.
Cougar fans took notice. Rodriguez’s artwork has gone viral on social media (he is @leftcory on X), embraced by the UH faithful and shared by players past and present.
“I can’t love this enough!!!!!” Chaney’s mother, Mikki, commented on Rodriguez’s post. “Thank you for continuing to honor my son’s memory ... I looooove this!”
In their likes, shares and heartfelt replies, Coog Nation has embraced Rodriguez’s work, recognizing him not just as a fan, but as a true artist of the game.
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