In 1993, Skip Wagner, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo assistant general manager, Operations Department, and lifetime vice president Tom Glazier wanted to test the possibility of volunteers directing the efforts of the Show's contract labor force within the Astrohall and Astroarena. Their goal was based on the philosophy that a visitor's first impression of the Show was often a lasting impression. Simply put, restrooms needed to be kept clean and functioning, refuse needed to be removed rather than piled at doorways and entrance gates, and visitors and exhibitors would appreciate encouragement and direction in dealing with trash.
Looking back, Committee Chairman Tom Glazier described those first two years fondly as total chaos! "We focused on overseeing the daily efforts of over 400 contract laborers and changeover cleaning between the various shows. That second year, we added the barbecue area, the Aramco shuttle lot, the bus tent and the neighboring grounds outside the Dome parking lot, and worked closely with the Show's Building and Grounds Manager Steve Woodley," said Glazier. Woodley was quick to add, "We have no back door to hide the trash. The mix of livestock and people is such that we can't allow things to pile up. The Outhouse Gang dealt with the trouble areas, helped to reduce costs and confirmed that we were getting our money's worth for services." Sophistication came the third year with the introduction of the team concept for the blossoming group of 150 members. The committee added the responsibility for cleaning the Delmar Stadium shuttle lot and Butler Stadium's remote parking area, as well as tracking movement of all dumpsters. "Another goal was to reduce the amount of dollars spent on contract labor and on waste removal. We feel we have accomplished our goals," noted Glazier. Currently, the Outhouse Gang Committee has 300 members. Seven vice chairmen and 17 captains lead teams comprised of two radio base operators, a tool person and 14 floor people per shift. The first of three daily overlapping shifts begins at 6 a.m. The final group tries to "lock the door" by 2:30 a.m., except for an occasional all-nighter during changeovers or on the weekends. During the Show, the committee oversees the removal of 13,000 tons of trash from the buildings and grounds. It has endeared itself to members of numerous committees by ensuring that exhibitors and visitors enjoy the best the Show has to offer. In 1998, a special crew of 38 members assisted with the Show's overall setup and tear down. J.P. "Hap" Hunnicutt III, officer in charge, may have said it best, "Considering the fact that during the three weeks of the Show over 1,765,000 people came through our gates to attend the World's Championship Bar-B-Que, horse show, livestock show and rodeo, I would say Tom Glazier and his 300 men and women did an incredible job. They are quickly approaching our committee's goal of having the Astrodome, Astrohall, Astroarena and the surrounding grounds as consistently clean as Disneyland. I tip my hat to each and every one of them." While no one individual seems to want to take credit for the group's name, consensus is that the name emerged during the first organizational meeting in the fall of '93. Their bright orange badges declare "Cleaning Services," but committee jackets proclaim "Outhouse Gang." Its name may cause a few smirks, but its efforts are guaranteed to bring nothing but smiles.
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o many, its name is whimsical and even
a bit silly. But the Outhouse Gang is no laughing matter. One of three new
committees for the 1998 Show, the Outhouse Gang Committee brings four years
of experience as a work group dealing specifically with what its members
call "train wrecks and forest fires." They boast that more than
half of the 35 charter members are still around to enjoy their new, hard-earned
official committee status. 
