Endowment Drive Begins New Chapter in Rice Athletics

Endowment Drive Begins New Chapter in Rice Athletics
BY TRACEY RHOADES
Speical to Rice News
April 9, 1998

The Southwest Conference is history. Tears have been shed, farewells have been
made, and an era has passed. But, Rice’s athletic program has forged into the
Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and is charting a new course.

When Rice entered the WAC in 1996, an 82-year athletic tradition was broken.
Not only would Rice no longer square off with its longtime rivals, it would
be the smallest Division 1A school in a new, expanded conference seeking an
identity and facing many sizable challenges. And, increased expenditures, including
more long-distance travel, placed a strain on an already tight athletic budget.

"Rice teams in the decades prior to the sixties were powerhouses, and
they generated significant revenues," says Beth Harrington, senior athletics
development officer.

As teams moved into the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, however, some of the "front
page" sports struggled to maintain momentum. As a result, attendance at
sporting events declined and university funding levels grew.

"An estimated 70 to 80 percent of all Division 1A athletic departments
in the country have a deficit," Harrington says, "despite having very
large annual giving programs." In addition to the Owl Club’s yearly efforts,
another vehicle was needed to provide funding for athletic scholarships and
thereby head off the program’s mounting costs. To help support varsity athletics
at Rice and provide long-term stability, the Owl Club Athletic Endowment drive
was launched in September 1996.

The first of its kind in Rice’s athletic program, the drive set out to raise
$10 million over five years. To help with the effort, former athletes and friends
of Rice athletics formed the Athletic Steering Committee. Co-chaired by Billy
Hale and governor trustee J.D. Bucky Allshouse, the committee sees its main
mission as raising money to provide scholarship support for Rice’s student-athletes.
At the first meeting, committee members contributed more than $500,000, and
the campaign was off and running.

To help build the overall athletic endowment, Rice established a fund honoring
Gene Hackerman, wife of Rice’s fourth president, Norman Hackerman, and a staunch
supporter of women’s athletics during her husband’s tenure. The Hackerman Fund
will provide endowed scholarships for female athletes. "It’s a wonderful
tribute," Harrington says, "and great for the women’s athletic program."
Chairing the $1 million campaign is Karen Hess Rogers ’68, with Norman Hackerman
serving as honorary chair. "We have been fortunate with the Hackerman fund,"
says Rogers, "because many of the donations have come from people not affiliated
with the university."

Thus far, the $10 million campaign has raised more than one-third of its goal,
including the Hackerman Fund, which is more than halfway to its $1 million goal.
In February, one-time Owls offensive lineman and former center for the San Diego
Chargers Courtney Hall ’90 boosted the effort with his $25,000 gift establishing
the Courtney Hall Athletic Scholarship. Other contributors include Houston Rockets
owner Les Alexander, professional baseball player Jose Cruz Jr. ’96, President
Gillis and his wife, Elizabeth, and Owls football coach Ken Hatfield and his
wife, Sandy.

Despite being the smallest Division 1A university in the WAC, Rice has the
highest percentage of students who are athletes. Each year, about 300 men and
women, over 12 percent of the total student body, participate on Rice’s varsity
athletic teams. Rice athletes not only have to maintain NCAA academic requirements,
they also have to meet stringent university standards.

"There are no sheltered programs for Rice student-athletes," affirms
Harrington. Rice ranks fourth among Division 1A schools in terms of average
SAT scores for students competing in intercollegiate athletics. Also, student-athletes
at Rice who complete their athletic eligibility graduate at a rate of 97 percent.

Since Rice entered the WAC in 1996, attendance at Rice sporting events has
increased significantly, but as Harrington points out, "attendance must
continue to grow to fill our arenas." Coupled with its fund-raising efforts,
the Athletic Steering Committee is also striving to improve the entire athletic
program. "Having enough money is one thing, but there are many factors
involved in building a balanced program," Harrington explains. "From
recruiting to coaching to fan participation, it’s all important."

Student-athletes are doing their part, too. The Owls baseball team had a stellar
1997 season, finishing as WAC champions and playing in Rice’s first College
World Series. So far, 1998 looks like it will be equally successful, and for
the football team, the season promises to be a standout. The women’s basketball
team had an impressive year, making it to the 1998 Quest WAC Tournament and
the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. The track team produced three
athletes who earned All-America indoor honors, and Cory Teague had a strong
showing at the NCAA swim competition and received an honorable mention All-America.

Regardless of the sport, one thing is clear, Rice athletes continue to excel
both academically and athletically. It seems that life in the WAC suits Rice
just fine.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Owl Club Athletic Endowment or
the Gene Hackerman Fund for women’s athletics can contact Beth Harrington in
the Development Office at (713) 527-4641.

For related information visit the following Web site:
Rice University athletics: http://riceinfo.rice.edu/athletics/