An early look at FIFA Fan Festival in EaDo that opens to public on Thursday, the first match day of World Cup. This is one of the main viewing area with 3 giant screens under a Magic Sky tent that's designed to keep temps 15 degrees cooler. The fest is 275,000 square feet in all.

Eight days into construction at NRG Stadium of what will be an all natural grass field for World Cup matches in Houston. 81,000 square feet of Kentucky bluegrass will be trucked in from Denver where the sod is grown. FIFA regulations call for simulating a natural outdoor field.

I had the privilege of kicking off @UTMDAnderson’s Brain Metastasis Research Retreat. It is inspiring to see the strong collaboration advancing discovery and patient care for those facing one of oncology’s most complex challenges. #EndCancer

Former University of Houston assistant turned Louisiana head coach Quannas White is coming to Oklahoma City to watch his mentor Kelvin Sampson's team (with many guys he coached) in the NCAA Tournament. A long roll call of Sampson's former Oklahoma players also will be in the Paycom Center stands, including Ebi Ere and Kevin Bookout. UH program icon Reggie Chaney's mother is going to be at the games, just like she was in Stillwater for the Cougars' win over Oklahoma State.

University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson on how committed Mercy Miller's been to the Houston program: "Mercy committed to me when he was 15 years old. And he held that commitment. And here we are, now Mercy's 20 and he's still committed. "That's not the way it is at most places. But there's a respect factor that I have for Mercy that makes my heart swell. And it makes me feel good inside to see where he is. Based on where he's been. . . "When his time came, he was ready. I'm excited about Mercy going forward. Because Mercy has the ability to make our team better." 📷 @fcarters

Kellen Sampson made a point of mentioning to me today that Ramon Walker and Emanuel Sharp committed to UH via Zoom (due to COVID) and both stayed 5 years. They’re the last of the COVID kids … and perhaps the last of the five-years-in-one-program kids, too.

Today, in 1984, No. 3 Houston beat No. 11 Arkansas at Hofheinz, 64-61. It was UH's 38th-straight Southwest Conference win. Akeem had 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots. Reid Gettys had 8 assists, while Alvin Franklin had 14 points and 6 assists.

While everyone else may be solely obsessed with national championships and how close this Houston team is, Kelvin Sampson looks at things differently: "Last year's team was the team that we took out of the oven. It had a fifth-year senior in LJ (Cryer). A sixth-year senior in J'Wan (Roberts), a sixth-year senior in Mylik (Wilson), a fourth-year senior in Ja'Vier (Francis). So this team, there is no comparison between last year's team and this year's team. "Last year's team was ready to win a national championship. This year's team is a developing team. And I've had a ton of fun coaching this team. Excited about it." 📷 @fcarters

Filmmaker Ken Burns, who's helped viewers understand American history, shared what he thinks would surprise the nation’s founders 250 years after the Declaration of Independence.

New York City Officials Reinstate Pride Flag at Stonewall National Monument After Federal Removal

University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson on his relationship with officials: "I think the key for me is don't bitch about every call. I only try to voice my displeasure if I think I'm right. That's why we win a lot of our challenges. . . "They're going to miss calls. I'm not going to coach a perfect game either. I try to hold them accountable. But a lot of times you just hope that they call a fair game. And I've always tried to give the referees the benefit of the doubt. I've had some great relationships with referees over the years. And they still miss calls that I get on 'em about. But I just know how tough that is. "And I've never been anti officiating. I've just been anti bad calls." 📷 @fcarters

University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson to @PaperCityMag earlier on what he thought about on being nominated to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: "Where I started. Pembroke. Montana. Michigan State. I thought my dad. I thought about Karen giving up her career to let me chase my dreams across the country. And this is the result of it." Sampson will find out Wednesday night during ESPN's 5:30 pm (CST) selection show if he makes the next step from nominated to Finalist To make the Finalist cut, Sampson needs to have received at least seven votes from the 24-person selection committee. To actually earn induction, a finalist needs to get at least 18 of the 24 secret voters to vote for them in a later ballot. 📷 @fcarters

University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson felt senior guard Milos Uzan's 3-pointer with 3:27 left that pushed the lead to 11 was the most important shot of the TCU win. "I knew somebody was going to have to hit a big one," Sampson says. "I wasn't surprised it was Milos. He's done that time and time again in his career." 📷 @fcarters

Reflecting on a wonderful ribbon cutting of @MDAndersonNews' School of Health Professions, which will support the next generation of oncology allied health workers. With the school's growth in size and scope, we are thrilled to soon include certificates and master's degrees. #EndCancer

University of Houston freshman point guard Kingston Flemings, who was recruited hard by Texas Tech and seriously considered the Red Raiders, puts up 22 points in the first half of his first game in Lubbock. The 19-year-old is taking on the offensive load in the rare game where UH's defense is having issues. Flemings is 7 for 11 shooting, has three of the Cougars' seven made threes along with four assists and two steals. Another rising to the moment game for Flemings. 📷 @fcarters

“I Have a Dream” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Congratulations to Indiana University and Coach Cignetti on winning their first College Football Playoff National Championship. One of the greatest turnarounds of all time.