The Rice Owls represent Rice University in NCAA athletics and are known for their tradition of excellence on and off the field. With deep roots in college sports, the football Rice Owls program has earned multiple titles, while Rice Owls basketball has produced memorable seasons. This proud history continues to inspire fans and student-athletes alike.
College Sports Established
1912
Location
Houston, Texas
College Name
Rice University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1912 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
2023 - / American Athletic Conference
2005 - 2023 / Conference USA
1996 - 2004 / Western Athletic Conference
1915 - 1996 / Southwest Conference
1912 - 1914 / Independent
Nickname
Owls - Sports fans, have you ever wondered about the origins of the Rice Owls nickname? The Rice Owls is an NCAA Division I athletic program representing Rice University in Houston, Texas. The name has been around since 1912 and has a unique history.
Rice Owls Origin
The story begins with John W. Cox Jr., a member of the university’s first football team in 1912 and later became its coach from 1913 to 1915. During his tenure as coach, he changed their mascot from “the Cadets” to “the Owls” after seeing several owls flying over campus one night during practice which he believed was an omen for good luck on their upcoming season games! He then adopted this idea by having students dress up in owl costumes at football games and rallies throughout campus, thus always making them official mascots for the school's athletics teams!
Today, these same owls are still symbols of pride for all sports teams associated with Rice University; they even offer special merchandise featuring their beloved mascots, such as t-shirts or hats, so that fans can show off how much they love being part of Owl Nation! So next time you're cheering on your favorite college team, give some extra support (and maybe even buy something) for those proud little rice owlets out there too!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1914
- 1916
- 1938
- 1940
- 2003
- 2004
- 2006
-
Rice Owls men’s basketball team is founded
In 1914: The Rice Owls men’s basketball team is founded. The team plays its first game on December 12, 1914, against Houston. -
Rice Owls baseball team is founded
In 1916: The Rice Owls baseball team is founded. The team plays its first game on April 22, 1916, against Houston. -
Rice Owls football team wins the Southwest Conference championship
In 1938: The Rice Owls football team wins the Southwest Conference championship, marking the first conference championship in program history. -
Rice Owls men’s basketball team wins the Southwest Conference championship
In 1940: The Rice Owls men’s basketball team wins the Southwest Conference championship, marking the first conference championship in program history. -
Rice Owls women’s basketball team wins the Western Athletic Conference championship
In 2003: The Rice Owls women’s basketball team wins the Western Athletic Conference championship, earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. -
Trevor Cobb – Hall of Fame
Trevor Cobb is one of the most notable football players to have competed for the Rice Owls. He played running back for Rice from 1989 to 1992 and had an outstanding college career. Cobb still holds several Rice and NCAA records, including the record for most career all-purpose yards in NCAA Division I-A history with 7,730 yards. During his time ... -
Rice Owls football team wins the Conference USA championship
In 2006: The Rice Owls football team wins the Conference USA championship, earning a spot in the Liberty Bowl, which they win over the Western Michigan Broncos.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Rice Owls History
The Rice Owls sports teams have a proud and storied tradition in NCAA athletics. First fielding teams in 1912, the Rice Owls became one of the oldest college athletic programs in the country, especially known for their rivalry with the North Texas Mean Green. Since then, the Rice Owls have earned numerous conference championships and appeared in several NCAA tournaments across multiple sports.
The most recognized success for the football Rice Owls came under legendary coach Jess Neely, who led the program to six Southwest Conference titles between 1931 and 1946. His 32-season tenure shaped the foundation of the football Rice Owls program. In the modern era, Head Coach David Bailiff guided the team from 2007 to 2016, winning three consecutive bowl games—the 2008 and 2009 Texas Bowls and the 2010 Armed Forces Bowl. The program also achieved multiple Top 25 rankings, including an impressive #6 AP Poll and #7 Coaches’ Poll finish in 2008.
Beyond football, the Rice Owls basketball program has its own history of success. The men’s basketball team reached four NCAA tournaments between 1980 and 2005, showcasing competitive play in the Southwest Conference and later in Conference USA. Meanwhile, Rice’s baseball team became a national powerhouse, winning five straight Western Athletic Conference titles from 2006 to 2010 and continuing to make NCAA College World Series appearances.
Rice’s athletic department also boasts achievements in other sports. Soccer has claimed seven C-USA regular season championships since 2003. Golf has produced eight individual national champions since 1977. Track & field has earned nine indoor and outdoor conference championship titles since 2006. Volleyball captured eight Southwest Conference Championships between 1984 and 1996, followed by three C-USA crowns. Tennis dominated with ten SWC Championships from 1973 to 1995 and five C-USA Titles afterward before moving to American Athletic Conference play, where they added another championship in 2020. Swimming has also been a standout program with 11 conference championships since 2005.
Owls Achievements
In recent years, the football Rice Owls have continued to strengthen their recruiting and training programs to return to national prominence, while the Rice Owls basketball team has developed a stronger presence in conference tournaments. Combined with the success of other sports, the Rice Owls remain one of the most respected athletic programs in the nation.
Overall, the legacy of the Rice Owls represents more than just victories. Whether it’s the football Rice Owls, Rice Owls basketball, or any other sport, athletes and fans alike are part of a tradition built on excellence, perseverance, and community. This historic institution continues to inspire future generations and stand out as a leader in collegiate athletics.
Sports Fan Products
