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Rice Athletics AD Tommy McClelland shares goals, big dreams for Owls

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On Tuesday morning, Rice Athletics introduced Tommy McClelland as its new Athletic Director and gave him the opportunity to share his vision for the Owls.

News broke a few weeks ago that Rice Athletics had found its new Athletic Director. The University formalized the announcement soon afterward and on Tuesday, those expectations were fulfilled with the introduction of Tommy McClelland as the Owls’ new AD.

“I’ve always admired Rice from afar. The opportunity to join the university, one of the world’s elite institutions and a university and an athletics program that is on the rise, it’s truly unbelievable,” McClelland said. “Rice athletics has enormous potential to achieve even greater success while remaining true to its core values.”

McClelland made it clear he viewed this position as a destination job. He spoke of all the potential Rice had and stirred up the passions of those in the room, asking everyone to do their part in helping the university achieve those lofty aspirations.

The Roost Podcast: Soundbites and summaries from Tommy McClelland’s presser

As for his vision for the athletic department, McClleland leaned into the unique value proposition Rice University holds. “Athletics is not the most important thing on this campus, not by a longshot,” he admitted. “But our sports programs do provide the widest lens in which people get to view the global impact that is happening all over this campus.”

McClelland closed his initial remarks with a powerful value statement, further clarifying his goals for the athletic department “to use athletics as a mechanism to become a top-rated university in education, in research and in everything we do.” adding that he believes “we can utilize the platform in athletics to help amplify the success of the university. When one area of the university wins, we all win.”

You can view the entire press conference here.

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Rice Baseball 2023: MLB Owls update – Aug 8

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The 2023 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls.

Injured List

J.T. Chargois – Miami Marlins

Charjois was placed on the 15-day Injured List with a strained right rib cage, retroactive to August 5 this week. He’s eligible to be instated on August 19. Chargois was throwing well before his injury, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and just one hit allowed against the Phillies last Wednesday.

Through August 8, Chargois has a 3.75 ERA with a 1.193 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

Rendon remains on the Injured List after fouling a ball off his leg and suffering a shin contusion earlier this season. He’s eligible to return whenever he’s deemed healthy, but there has been no indication as to when that will be.

Through August 8, Rendon is hitting .236 with eight extra-base hits, 25 walks and 27 strikeouts. His OPS is .678 and he’s collected 22 RBI.

Knocking on the Door

There are a few Rice baseball alums currently playing in AAA, many of which have major league experience.

  1. Tyler Duffey is in the Cubs organization
  2. Tristan Gray is in the Rays organization.
  3. Evan Kravetz is in the Reds organization.
  4. Lucas Luetge is in the Braves organization.
  5. Dane Myers is in the Marlins organization.
  6. Glenn Otto is in the Rangers organization.
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Rice Baseball 2023: MLB Owls update – Aug 1

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The 2023 MLB season is underway and Rice baseball alums are busy on the mound and at the plate. Here’s the latest from the MLB Owls.

Dane Myers – Miami Marlins

Myers drew a pair of starts this week, playing on Wednesday against the Rays and Saturday against the Tigers. He was hitless against the Rays, but collected one RBI then went 1-for-4 against the Tigers. He was optioned back to AAA on Monday.

Through August 1, Myers is hitting .288 with three extra-base hits, one walk and 16 strikeouts. His OPS is .668 and he’s collected nine RBI.

J.T. Chargois – Miami Marlins

It was a tough week for Chargois, who was charged with a blown save in his first of two appearances this week, although the Marlins still won the game. He surrendered one earned run in his second outing.

Through August 1, Chargois has a 3.95 ERA with a 1.207 WHIP. He’s averaging 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Glenn Otto – Texas Rangers

Otto did not see game action this week, last toeing the rubber for Texas on July 22 against the Dodgers. He’s made four appearances with the club so far this season.

Through August 1, Otto has a 10.80 ERA with a 1.800 WHIP. He’s averaging 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

Injured List

Anthony Rendon – Los Angeles Angels

Rendon remains on the Injured List after fouling a ball off his leg and suffering a shin contusion earlier this season. He’s eligible to return whenever he’s deemed healthy, but there has been no indication as to when that will be.

Through August 1, Rendon is hitting .236 with eight extra-base hits, 25 walks and 27 strikeouts. His OPS is .678 and he’s collected 22 RBI.

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Rice Athletics: Tommy McClelland named Director of Athletics

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Rice president Reginald DesRoches announced that Tommy McClelland, currently the deputy athletic director at Vanderbilt, will be the Owls’ new AD.

In a statement released by the school on Sunday, Rice Athletics has named Tommy McClelland its next athletic director.

“We’re thrilled to be able to attract someone with Tommy’s breadth of experience and success,” DesRoches said. “He brings the values of academic excellence and deep integrity that define Rice, coupled with a passionate desire to compete successfully at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. These attributes will be critical for Rice’s first season in the American Athletic Conference and the years to follow.”

“I am incredibly grateful to President DesRoches, the search committee and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve as vice president and director of athletics at Rice University,” McClelland said. “My family and I are thrilled to join the Rice family and the Houston community.”

The news was initially reported on Saturday by Pete Thamel before being announced formally by Rice today.

McClelland is slated to begin duties on August 14, two weeks from today. In the meantime, senior associate director Tanner Gardner will serve as interim athletic director for the department.

The full statement is available to read here.

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Report: Rice Athletics targeting Tommy McClelland to be new AD

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Not long after the announced departure of Joe Karlgaard, Rice Athletics has reportedly focused its search on Tommy McClelland to be its new AD.

First reported by Pete Thamel, Rice Athletics is targeting current Vanderbilt deputy athletic director Tommy McClelland. According to Thamel, the deal is “expected to be finalized in the upcoming days.”

McClelland cut his teeth as an athletic director at McNeese State before moving to Louisiana Tech, where he served as the Bulldogs’ athletic director from 2013 to 2020 before departing for Vanderbilt. His particular penchant for fundraising, noted by Thamel and separately confirmed to The Roost, is one of his most distinctive traits.

The addition would be another step in a season of change for the entire Rice Athletics department and the university as a whole. Rice has recently installed a new president, Reginald DesRoches, moved to a new conference, the American Athletic, and now will be finalizing the addition of a new athletic director.

The hire would presumably enable Rice to have their card in order for the upcoming fall athletic season, which is quickly approaching. Rice football just completed media days last week and is set to open fall camp in the coming days. A new athletic year is poised to begin and it looks now as if the Owls have their man to lead them into an exciting new future.

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