When Rice University’s newest Owls arrived on campus for move-in, they weren’t alone in hauling boxes and climbing stairwells. At each of the university’s 11 residential colleges, Rice football players and Athletics staff carried trunks, mini-fridges and laundry baskets up two, three and even four flights of stairs.
“There’s nothing more exciting than your freshman move-in day across the country,” said Dunlevie Family Head Football Coach Scott Abell. Here at Rice, as our first years really matriculate on the campus, I’m honored that our football team can be here to help.”
For players like junior linebacker Ty Morris, the day was about more than heavy lifting.
“It’s nice to come out here and help the freshmen, give them a warm welcome on campus,” Morris said.
The sight of student-athletes pitching in alongside staff, parents and volunteers reflected the sense of community Athletics leaders hope will shape students’ Rice experience from the very beginning.
“I’m looking at the parents, and I can see they’re dropping off their precious commodity, their most prized possession,” said Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics. “We just want to welcome them. We want to say, ‘Welcome to Rice. You’re part of the family.’”
“It’s just a great day to be an Owl,” Abell said. “Look at our leadership team out here. Look at all our community that showed up to support our new students. Not just our football team, but all the other members out here.”
Abell said moments like these put the program’s “WE” mantra — Win Everything, Win Everywhere, With Everyone — into practice.
“We talk about service a lot in our program and serving your own home community starts right here,” Abell said.
That service, Abell added, extends far beyond a single day of carrying boxes.
“I’m happy our guys are out here,” Abell said. “They’re excited to serve today. What we’re hoping is that we build this community that just flows over into what we do each and every day in our stadium.”
Morris echoed the idea, noting that his team’s presence during move-in is about building connections that last.
“It’s important that the freshmen see us not just as athletes but as classmates,” Morris said. “The relationships we build now will carry through our time here together.”
McClelland urged students to take advantage of that same ethos of connection throughout their time at Rice.
“If you don’t get involved, if you don’t get to know the people next to you, at some point later on down the road, you’re going to wish you did,” McClelland said. “I would encourage anyone to meet your people in your colleges, meet your people in your classes, in your extracurriculars, and come to athletic events.”
For Abell, the move-in day excitement — the mix of nervous first-years, proud parents and enthusiastic volunteers — felt a little like Christmas morning. That excitement, he said, lays the groundwork for a season rooted in shared purpose.
“One of our sayings in our program is ‘with everyone’ and what we hope is they meet our players, they build relationships with them,” Abell said. “Then when we take the field on Saturday that ‘with everyone’ is really impactful and meaningful, and they get out and support our guys.”
By the end of the day, with boxes unpacked and parents waving goodbye, the field of volunteers in blue and gray underscored the message.
“As we come here to support them today as they move in and join our Rice family, we hope now that will carry over to Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening supporting us ‘with everyone,’” Abell said.
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