Rice Athletics formally inducted the members of its 41st Hall of Fame class during a ceremony Oct. 24, honoring the achievements and lifelong impact of the university’s most distinguished athletes and supporters.
This year’s inductees — Pam Brooks ’94, Michael Downs ’81, Pennie Goff ’85, Brittany Massengale ’09, Jon Warren ’88, Nicole (Aleskowitch) Wilkerson ’93 and Mike Wilks ’01 — joined the ranks of Rice’s all-time greats. Two additional honorees, Wanna Hadnott ’84 and Jimmy Disch, received special recognition for their extraordinary service and dedication to the university.
“Tonight, we celebrate the incredible achievements of the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025,” said Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics. “I’m deeply honored to be part of this momentous occasion where we pay tribute to those who have left an indelible mark on our sports legacy.
“Our inductees have shown us what it means to be Owls — how to soar above the competition, reach new heights and leave an enduring legacy that inspires generations to come. Their achievements set the standard of excellence that defines each of our programs.”
As the program celebrated its past, McClelland expressed optimism about its current trajectory.
“The future of Rice Athletics is exceptionally promising thanks to the incredible leadership of President Reginald DesRoches, our board of trustees, loyal donors, great coaches, dedicated staff and most importantly our remarkable student-athletes,” he said. “The best is yet to be for Rice Athletics.”
Hadnott, a former Rice tennis standout, received the Distinguished R Award for her decades of volunteer leadership and advocacy. “What I love most about Rice Athletics isn’t just the competition, it’s the friendships I’ve made and the chance to share the Rice spirit with new people,” Hadnott said.
Disch, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Sport Management, was honored with the Honorary R Award for more than 50 years of service to Rice Athletics. “Over the decades, I’ve seen Rice Athletics become more than just a collection of teams — it’s a community, a family of driven young men and women, coaches, trainers, professors and supporters all working toward a common goal of excellence,” Disch said.
Festivities continued the following day with a pregame tailgate and on-field recognition of the honorees during Rice’s football game against the University of Connecticut, celebrating both the past and future of Owl pride. The Owls took down the Huskies 37-34 in a double-overtime thriller.
To learn more about each inductee, click here.