Rice University’s football team paid homage to the university’s storied residential college system during its matchup with Texas Southern University on Saturday. The Owls took down TSU convincingly 69-7.
Every member of the Owls’ team sported the familiar Old English R on one side of their helmets, but the other side featured the crest of each player’s residential college at Rice. Unlike most universities, Rice has no sororities, fraternities or honors or athlete dorms on campus. Instead, newly admitted students are randomly assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, which they remain in throughout their undergraduate years.
This proud tradition is one student-athletes share with their fellow classmates who watch them perform.
The residential colleges held their respective flags high pregame as Rice players ran through the entrance and onto the field. There was also an attendance competition held between colleges and a race between the college presidents midgame.
“Students have a lot of pride when it comes to their colleges,” said Morgan Toran, Rice Rally Club co-president and Hanszen College junior. “By doing this, we are able to add a fun aspect of competitiveness to games and tailgates while also increasing support for student-athletes. While we see the importance of incorporating residential colleges, this also allows for students from all colleges to rally together and support our student-athletes, fostering a strong community at Rice that can come together.”
Rice also celebrated its strong academic partnership with Texas Southern during the on-field battle between the Owls and Tigers.
Rice President Reginald DesRoches met with TSU President Vice Admiral James W. Crawford III to not only watch the game but discuss future collaborations between the universities.
“Our shared commitment to the power of higher education and student success sparked engaging discussions on future collaborations between our universities, including the partnership we entered last year to share resources, expertise and best practices to build stronger bridges between their institutions and communities,” DesRoches said. “Such collaboration aims to foster meaningful dialogue, seed new research partnerships, create additional opportunities for students, faculty and staff at both universities and be a boon to Houston.”
On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Owls will look to spark a winning streak as they take on the University of Houston Cougars in the 43rd Bayou Bucket Classic. Last season, Rice took down Houston in a thrilling 43-41 double-overtime victory at Rice Stadium. The win marked Rice’s first Bayou Bucket Classic victory in its last eight meetings with Houston and its first win over a Power Five conference opponent since 2013.
Rice will look to replicate that success on the road this time around, making the shortest road trip in FBS football as the Owls travel down State Highway 288 to TDECU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.
