New golf scholarship honors Castaneda

New
golf scholarship honors Castaneda
…………………………………………………………………

Last fall, Rice
University established the James Castañeda Golf Scholarship
to honor the former coach and current professor of Spanish
and classical studies.

“Many of
Jim’s students benefited from his tutelage at Rice,
and now this scholarship will forever link him with Rice
University student-athletes,” said Athletics Director
Bobby May.

Castañeda
coached the Owls golf team for 15 years, retiring from that
position in 1998. He also served as freshman baseball coach
and assistant varsity baseball coach. A member of the faculty
for 41 years, he has been Rice’s NCAA faculty representative
for 28 years. He serves on the Western Athletic Conference’s
Executive Committee and on the NCAA as chair of the Academics
Eligibility Compliance Cabinet and chairman of the Initial
Eligibility Committee.

Castañeda,
a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, received his bachelor’s degree
in Spanish from Drew University. After a brief stint in
the farm system of the Baltimore Orioles, he earned his
master’s and doctorate degrees from Yale University.
Castañeda, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was given
the Honorary R Award in 1986 for dedication and service
to Rice athletics, and in May 2000 he received the Association
of Rice Alumni’s Meritorious Service Award. He has
served as the president of the American Association of Teachers
of Spanish and Portuguese and has been decorated by King
Juan Carlos of Spain.
“This scholarship will provide an ongoing tie to the
golf program for me, and I will be exceedingly proud to
have my name associated with each Rice golfer named to receive
the award,” Castañeda said.

Donations to
the golf scholarship can be made through Scott Joyner, director
of development for athletics, at (713) 348-4622 or mailed
to Joyner at Rice University, MS 81, 6100 Main Street, Houston
TX 77005.