Employees share Texans spirit

Tailgating team places third in Texans finals

JAN. 6, 2005--UTMB employees certainly know how to pull together for the team at the office, but they also know how to get in the game away from the office, too. A group of friends, who also happen to be among UTMB’s family, recently placed third in the 2004 Houston Texans Tailgater of the Year finals.

“Everyone had a great time,” said Natha Nuckols, a member of the team and an administrative secretary in the Division of Gastroenterology.  “People from all over stopped at each area or at least looked. We were even helped by Brandon Backe, who is just very special to this group and always so willing to help.”

To qualify for the finals, the group, calling themselves the "Never Failgaters," won the Texans-HEB Tailgaters of the Week for the Nov. 28 Houston Texans game.  The finals were Jan. 2 during the last Houston Texans home game at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

Participating in the 2004 Finals for the Houston Texan’s Tailgater of the Year were employees from UTMB, Shriner Burns Hospital, and UTMB retirees: Harold Backe of Shriners Burns Hospital; Nina Backe with Physicians Billing Services; Paul Gonzales with Facilities Operation and Management; Jerry Gray a FOAM retiree; Peggy Haardt with the Department of Pediatrics; Sammye Hesser who works in Primary Care Administration; Cindy McGowan, a Health and Safety retiree; John McGowan, an Information Services retiree; Carol Ann Micheletti with Patient Finance Service; and Nuckols. 

Return to Impact home page