Rice Athletics is growing again. The university announced today the addition of Women’s Golf to their sponsored sports in 2026.
When Rice Athletics Director Tommy McClelland arrived at South Main he spoke of ambitious growth and a commitment to making the Owls excellent in everything they endeavor to do. Alongside those plans was a commitment to ensure Rice had the opportunities to succeed in both men’s and women’s athletics. In January, McClelland announced the addition of a diving program. Just a few months later, the Owls are on the move again, this time committing to add Women’s Golf.
Much in the same way there were built-in efficiencies when Rice went to incorporate diving into its preexisting swimming program, adding a women’s team to complement the men’s program is another natural stepping stone as the department continues to grow.
Lynn Laverty Elsenhans, a former Rice women’s basketball player, and her husband, John, have endowed Rice Athletics to jumpstart the program.
President Reginald DesRoches offered these comments:
“We are thrilled to launch women’s golf at Rice. This is a part of our overall commitment to excellence in every area, including Rice Athletics, and especially women’s sports. We thank Lynn for this gift to launch the program and encourage other dedicated alumni to join us in supporting women’s golf.”
You can read the full release here.
Teeing off a new era#GoOwls👐 x @RiceWGolf pic.twitter.com/NmVdir73Jc
— Rice Athletics 👐 (@RiceAthletics) May 10, 2024
Beyond the excitement that comes with growth, the addition of a second sport in the span of a few months sends a clear statement regarding the direction and ambition of Rice Athletics. In a collegiate landscape that is rife with challenges and new obstacles, the Owls are growing — not shrinking — as they head into an uncertain future. That’s the sort of program most every athlete would tell you they’d like to join.
When combined with the move to the American Athletic Conference, the Owls certainly are putting their commitment to athletics on full display.
