University of Houston basketball coach Kelvin Sampson just spoke in Washington D.C. in support of the Protect College Sports Act. "At some point we have to rein in the chaos," Sampson said with Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Maria Cantwell at his side and student-athletes from a number of sports behind him. "This bill is not foolproof. But it's the best thing we have to get improvement and some control in our athletic departments. And control for our student-athletes." Sampson is one of three active coaches who spoke, joining John Calipari and Mark Few, another indication of Sampson's standing and influence in college athletics.

One of the major new additions to the TDECU Stadium UH football food this season is Hugo Ortega's Urbe. Replaces the Hugo's restaurant stand with more Mexican street foods, including tacos, pappas bravas, chicharron and flautas de pollo.

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.

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

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

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