Rice University once again found itself at the center of the college basketball world, serving as the official host institution for the NCAA Men’s Basketball South Regional and helping transform Houston into a hub for March Madness.
While the spotlight inside Toyota Center belonged to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight teams battling for a Final Four berth, Rice staff and students were working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event ran seamlessly.
Over 40 Rice staff members helped transform Toyota Center into a championship-ready venue, handling everything from facility setup and game operations to hosting teams, coordinating band and spirit groups, cleaning the courts during games and maintaining locker rooms. Their efforts touched nearly every aspect of the tournament’s execution, ensuring a seamless experience from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
“It was an honor for Rice University to host the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament once again,” said Tommy McClelland, vice president and director of athletics. “Thanks to our hard working staff and an incredible partnership with the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and Toyota Center, we were able to showcase Rice University and the city of Houston on a national stage.
“We hosted four excellent teams and their fans and once again proved why Houston is one of the premier sports destinations in the country. I can’t thank our staff enough for the time and energy they put into making it such a great week for these four schools and all who attended the games.”
In addition to game day operations, Rice volunteers supported the event’s media infrastructure, assisting more than 300 credentialed media members covering the tournament. They staffed press conferences, produced and distributed stat sheets in real time and escorted student-athletes and coaches between locker rooms and interview areas — helping create the polished, fast-paced environment that defines the NCAA Tournament experience.
Rice’s role as host institution came in partnership with the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and the University of Houston, a collaboration designed to deliver a first-class experience for teams, fans and media alike. Together, the group showcased Houston’s ability to stage one of college basketball’s premier events, welcoming fans from across the country and reinforcing the city’s reputation as a major destination for championship competition.
The South Regional is the latest chapter in Rice’s history with the NCAA Tournament. The university most recently served as host for the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four at NRG Stadium, one of several times Houston has welcomed the sport’s biggest stage.
Rice has also previously hosted NCAA Tournament games at Toyota Center in 2008, 2010, 2015 and 2022, further cementing its role as a trusted partner in delivering marquee events.