October 2011 Archives
(Photo Credits: Gary Kubiak, AP; Klein Kubiak, Anthony Vasser/Rice Sports Information) In addition to his duties as a one of the Owls' wide receivers, Klein Kubiak stepped into the role of holding on field goals and extra points this season at Rice. In the process, he took on a role that his father, Gary, once handled as a member of the Denver Broncos.
Every two years, the R Association and Rice athletics honors its great athletes with the Rice Hall of Fame Ceremony. This year's event is on Friday, October 21. Being inducted are Rodrigo Barnes (football), Kenny Baugh (baseball), Bryan Bronson (track and field), Candace Lessmeister (track and field), Mandy Mularz (swimming), and Greg Williams (basketball). Along with the induction of the six newest members of the Hall of Fame, the R Association honors Ralph O'Connor with the Distinguished R Award and Audrey Ley with its Honorary R Award.
Today the R Blog presents a closer look at Hall of Fame inductees Mandy Mularz and Greg Williams.
Mandy Mularz - Hall of Fame Inductee
Mandy Mularz rewrote the Rice record books in her four years with the swim team, earning All-America honors, and leading the Owls to a Top 25 national finish. After earning All-America recognition as a member of the Owls' 200-yard freestyle relay team that finished eighth in the nation in 2001, Mularz set two individual school records by reaching the event finals of both the 50- and 100-freestyle at the NCAA championships as a junior in 2002. The sprinter from Mobile, Ala., won the silver medal at the 2002 NCAA championships in the 50-free with a Rice record time of 22.17. She also finished 11th in the nation in the 100-free at the NCAAs. With Mularz accounting for all 23 points of Rice's final NCAA total, the Owls finished 25th in the nation at the 2002 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving championships. She was a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Trials. In 2003. went on to earn All-America honors for a third time in as many years by taking seventh in the nation in the 50-free at the NCAA championship. Mularz won the swim program's Catherine Hannah Award as the Rice Swimmer of the Year in each of her last two seasons. She was named a Rice Scholar Athlete and an earned academic honors from the College Swim Coaches Association in 2003. In 2003 was the recipient of an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. In 2004 she was named the recipient of the "R" Association/Fred Stancliff Postgraduate Scholarship.
Greg Williams - Hall of Fame Inductee 
Long before he became identified as the head coach of Rice's women's basketball team, Williams was no mystery to opposing Southwest Conference coaches as a star guard for the Owls. As a senior, Williams was named the Southwest Conference Player of the Year after averaging 21.2 points while shooting 50.6 percent from the field (202-399) and 83.2 percent at the free throw line (104-125). He scored 30+ points on four occasions. He closed out his career during the 1968-69 season by scoring 24 points in back-to-back victories a home against TCU (95-88) and on the road at SMU (96-90). Williams was a second-team, All-Southwest Conference selection as a junior when he averaged 16.5 points per game. His season was highlighted by a pair of buzzer-beating shots in both games of the Owls' conference series with SMU as Rice swept both games over the SWC rival for the first time since 1946. He remains the Rice career record holder for free throw percentage at 85.8 percent (289-337). Williams began his coaching career as an assistant to Don Knodel at Rice as the Owls captured the 1970 SWC title. He went on to coach both at the collegiate and professional level. He coached six seasons at the University of Houston (1985-90) where he led the Cougars to the 1988 NCAA tournament and was named SWC Coach of the Year. At Colorado State (1991-97), Williams led the Rams to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1996 and the school's first Western Athletic Conference title. For his efforts he was named 1997 WAC Coach of the Year in addition to WBCA Region VII Coach of the Year. He enters his seventh season as the head coach of the Rice women's basketball team, where has led the Owls to three WNIT appearances (2006, 2007, and 2011).
This year's ceremony takes place in the R Room, atop the south end zone of Rice Stadium and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and the program commences at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.00 each and can purchaed by calling Mary Santos at 713-348-5677 or online:
Every two years, the R Association and Rice athletics honors its great athletes with the Rice Hall of Fame Ceremony. This year's event is on Friday, October 21. Being inducted are Rodrigo Barnes (football), Kenny Baugh (baseball), Bryan Bronson (track and field), Candace Lessmeister (track and field), Mandy Mularz (swimming), and Greg Williams (basketball). Along with the induction of the six newest members of the Hall of Fame, the R Association honors Ralph O'Connor with the Distinguished R Award and Audrey Ley with its Honorary R Award.
Today the R Blog presents a closer look at Hall of Fame inductees Kenny Baugh and Candace Lessmeister.
Kenny Baugh - Hall of Fame Inductee
A product of Houston's Lamar High School, Kenny Baugh was a three-time All-America selection and was twice named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year (2000 and 2001). From 1998 to 2001, Baugh compiled a 41-8 collegiate won-loss record with a 2.72 career earned run average. He won at least 12 games in each of his final three seasons and set the Rice single-season record with 163 strikeouts in 2001. He helped Rice reach NCAA regionals four-straight years with four-consecutive WAC titles. He was the winning pitcher in the program's first-ever win at the College World Series in 1999 as the Owls defeated Okalahoma State 7-2. He finished as Rice's career record holder for games started (67), innings pitched (460.0) and strikeouts (447), and he was second in career wins (41). After a stellar junior season in which he went 12-2 with a WAC-best 2.22 earned run average, Kenny was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fifth round, but did not sign with the club. He then proceeded to post a 13-2 mark with a 2.17 ERA with 163 strikeouts in 2001 as a senior. In the 2001 Major League Baseball draft, Baugh was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the 11th pick in the first round. He spent eight seasons in the Tigers organization and then two seasons with the Florida Marlins organization.
Candace Lessmeister - Hall of Fame Inductee 
Candace Lessmeister was a distance runner from Lake Lenore, Saskatchewan, Canada, who ranks sixth in the 800m (2:06.91) and fourth in the 1500m (4:19.42) on the Rice outdoor performer list. Lessmeister won three Southwest Conference 1500m outdoor titles (1993, 1994, and 1995). During the indoor campaign, Lessmeister won the 800m and mile events in 1993, and 1994, and captured the 3000m title in 1995. She earned All-America status in 1993, as a member of the Owls' 4x800m relay team. In 1994 and 1995, Lessmeister was an indoor All-America in the mile event. Lessmeister led the Owls to their first-ever SWC cross country title in 1994, with 64 points to underscore Baylor's 65, with a second place finish. She also qualified as an individual for the NCAA Cross Country Championship, where she finsihed 42nd in the nation. In 1992, she placed fourth at the SWC Cross Country Championship. Candace was bestowed the Joyce Pounds Hardy Award, given annually to the most outstanding female athlete at Rice University for her efforts in sports, classroom, and in the community in 1995.
This year's ceremony takes place in the R Room, atop the south end zone of Rice Stadium and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and the program commences at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.00 each and can purchaed by calling Mary Santos at 713-348-5677 or online:
Every two years, the R Association and Rice athletics honors its great athletes with the Rice Hall of Fame Ceremony. This year's event is on Friday, October 21. Being inducted are Rodrigo Barnes (football), Kenny Baugh (baseball), Bryan Bronson (track and field), Candace Lessmeister (track and field), Mandy Mularz (swimming), and Greg Williams (basketball). Along with the induction of the six newest members of the Hall of Fame, the R Association honors Ralph O'Connor with the Distinguished R Award and Audrey Ley with its Honorary R Award.
Today the R Blog presents a closer look at Hall of Fame inductees Rodrigo Barnes and Bryan Bronson.
Rodrigo Barnes - Hall of Fame Inductee
Rodrigo Barnes, from Waco, Texas, earned 3A second team all-state honors in football and was a state finalist in track, while attending George Washington Carver High School. After graduation, Barnes attended Rice University, where played football for the Owls. He was one of only four African-American student-athletes at Rice and one of 12 African-American undergraduates. Barnes was a true pioneer for Rice athletics and the first African-American to be named to an All-SWC Defensive Team.
In 1969, Barnes was honored as SWC-Sophomore Defensive Player of the Year (Dallas Morning News) and All-SWC Second Team Defense. In 1971, Rodrigo was honored as All-SWC, SWC- Defensive Player of the Year, and recipient of the Jess Neely Defense Award. Barnes earned All-SWC honors in 1972 and played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game where he served as co-captain on the Gray Team and was named the defensive player of the game. He graduated from Rice with a B.A. degree in sociology, behavioral science, and H&P.E. and was a seventh round draft pick by the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in 1973. In mid-season of 1974, Rodrigo was traded to New England Patriots and completed the 1975 season with the Miami Dolphins. Rodrigo then played for the Oakland Raiders in 1976 and helped them win Super Bowl XI. Injuries in 1977 forced Rodrigo to retire from professional football. After his NFL career, Barnes was general manager and coach in the United Football League 1979-81. He earned a masters degree in education from Prairie View A&M University, with certifications in guidance and counseling and mid-management. He is a motivational speaker, program implementation and assessments, and employee relations consultant. Rodrigo has worked with schools, businesses, pro-athletes, and many organizations. His company, Pro Consultants, provides confidential consultation services to professional athletes, and senior administrators ("Your Success is Our Business").
Bryan Bronson - Hall of Fame Inductee 
Bryan Bronson is considered to be one of the greatest 400m hurdlers of all-time, anywhere. The Jasper, Texas, native set a meet record while winning the 1998 U.S. Outdoor 400m hurdles with a time of 47.03, that still ranks third all-time. An Olympic semifinalist at Atlanta in 1996, Bronson finished third in the 400m hurdles at the 1997 IAAF World Outdoor Championship with a time of 47.88. At Rice, Bronson also competed collegiately in the 200m in addition to the 400m hurdles. He holds the school's indoor (20.90) and outdoor (20.28) records for the 200m. His 49.07 in the 400m hurdles is a Rice record, which he set while winning the NCAA title in 1993 as a sophomore to complete an undefeated season. Bronson won five Southwest Conference titles during his time at Rice. Bronson earned the team's Fred Wolcott Award, given to the men's track and field athlete judged to be the most versatile winning performer while best exemplifying the winning team attitude and high moral character of Fred Wolcott, both on and off the field, in 1993 and 1994.
This year's ceremony takes place in the R Room, atop the south end zone of Rice Stadium and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and the program commences at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.00 each and can purchaed by calling Mary Santos at 713-348-5677 or online: The writers at CBSSports.com have said their list of the top 100 players in college basketball is among their favorite features as they continue to preview the upcoming season. Rice basketball fans will likely agree. The collegiate basketball editorial staff at CBSSports.com has come up with a Top 100 list which includes Rice junior forward CBS's Gary Parrish wrote, "Kazemi is proof that there are talented players in C-USA who don't reside in Kazemi is coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged a double-double. He led Rice with a 15.2 scoring averaging while grabbing 11.0 rebounds per game to rank seventh nationally. Rice ratcheted up practices over the weekend and the Owls are less than a month away from the Nov. 12th opener against the
Every two years, the R Association and Rice athletics honors its great athletes with
the Rice Hall of Fame Ceremony. This year's event is on Friday, October 21.
Being inducted are Rodrigo Barnes (football), Kenny Baugh (baseball), Bryan
Bronson (track and field), Candace Lessmeister (track and field), Mandy Mularz,
(swimming), and Greg Williams (basketball).
Along with the induction of the six newest members of the
Hall of Fame, the R Association honors Ralph O'Connor with the Distinguished R
Award and Audrey Ley with its Honorary R Award. Today the R Blog presents a
closer look at Audrey Ley and Ralph O'Connor.
Audry Ley - Honorary "R" Award 
Audrey Ley is a fan of "All Things Rice" and Rice is grateful for the legacy of Audrey and Wendel Ley and their family.
Audrey and her late husband Wendell are both Rice graduates. Audrey in 1935 and Wendell in 1932. Their generosity has helped Rice tremendously improve the quality of life, the quality of education and the quality of athletics for Rice students over the years. Audrey has always been involved in Rice affairs attending football, basketball and baseball games and the Shepherd School of Music events among others and Wendell served as president of the Rice Alumni Association, president of the R Association and was a term member of the Rice Board of governors. The Ley's have contributed to a number of Rice capital campaigns including the construction of Reckling Park, improvements to the track/soccer stadium and most recently the Audrey Moody Ley Plaza which serves as the entrance to Reckling Park. The Ley Student Center opened in 1986 and has provided a much needed space to compliment the Rice Memorial Center that had been constructed in 1958. According to Judy Allen, a former member of the Board of Governors and daughter of Audrey and Wendell Ley, the major reason behind the large contribution was that when Wendel attended Rice in the early 30's there was no place to court his wife. He wanted a place where Rice students could interact socially. Audrey Ley and her family share a special place in the hearts and minds of Rice athletics and Rice fans. Every trip to the baseball game is a walk down Audrey Moody Ley Plaza on the way to Reckling Park. It's a beautiful stroll before and after another big win for the Owls and a living and lasting tribute to the legacy of Audrey Ley.
Ralph O'Connor - Distinguished "R" Award 
Ralph O'Connor is a Houston entrepreneur, civic leader, philanthropist and full time Rice Owl patron and enthusiast.
Ralph earned his B.A. in biology from John Hopkins University in 1951 and attended the advanced management program at Harvard Business School in 1967. He is the founder, president and CEO of Ralph O'Connor and Associates, a private investment firm focused primarily on oil and gas exploration and real estate. Mr. O'Connor is a director at the Texas Medical Center and is on the Board of Trustees for the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Advisory Board Member at the High School for the Performing Arts. At Rice, Ralph was president of the Marian and Speros Martel Foundation which funded the residential Martel College on campus, the Henry and Lena Fox Gymnasium, the George and Nancy Rupp Chair in humanities, the Karen Ostrum George Chair in computational engineering, four additional endowed chairs in the humanities and social sciences and numerous student scholarship funds. O'Connor served as a Rice Trustee from 1967 to 1988 and 1994 to 1996. He is an honorary member of the Association of Rice Alumni and is a recipient of the Association of Rice Alumni's highest honor, the Gold Medal. He has served on numerous Rice Committees and chaired the presidential search committee for Rice's fifth President. Ralph is already a member of the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame when he received the Honorary "R" Award in 1998. Ralph and his wife Becky have been generous supporters of the Rice Athletics program with gifts towards many renovations and projects and the funding of the Ralph and Becky O'Connor Gymnasium at the Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation and Wellness Center. Ralph O'Connor believes that athletic activity makes better students and better people. Since not everyone can play varsity sports, the new recreation center provides superb space for intramural and informal competitions and physical fitness activities. This is an important aspect of student life. Ralph attends as many Rice athletic events as he can and travels with the teams to far off places like the Top of the World basketball tournament in Fairbanks, Alaska, and never misses an opportunity to host the tennis team at his cottage in La Jolla, California. A full-time Rice Owl , patron and enthusiast for Rice and Rice Athletics, a man who has contributed to the qualify of the student and faculty experience and in doing so has touched the lives of those who compete and represent Rice in the field of athletics. It is with great pleasure that the R Association welcomes back Ralph O'Connor for a second time as a Distinguished Member of the Rice Athletic Hall of Fame. This year's ceremony takes place in the R Room, atop the south end zone of Rice Stadium and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour and the program commences at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.00 each and can purchaed by calling Mary Santos at 713-348-5677 or online:  The Rice women's basketball team had its first official practice on Monday, October 3. The Owls return four starters from last year's 18-14 squad that placed third in Conference USA with a 10-6 mark. Rice opens the season on Nov. 11 at Prairie View A&M. Seventh-year Owl head coach Greg Williams shared his thoughts and opinions on his squad. Initial thoughts after the first day of practice? I thought our upperclassmen did a good job of remembering a lot of things we were doing and giving good examples to the freshmen in our drills before the freshmen got their reps in. We also did a lot of scrimmaging on the first day, because we haven't really seen our freshmen in a competitive situation at Rice, so, all in all, I was very pleased with the first practice. Was your approach different this year, compared to last year's first day of practice? What are your goals for the first week of practice? Other thoughts? Starting five? That's the thing you always worry about is someone who has been a starter the year before, do they come back better? Do they come back in shape? Do they come back focused? And, not leave that window open for somebody to sneak past them and those four certainly showed in our first practice that they mean business and they'd done their work in the off-season which is something that coaches always like to see. So, if they continue to do that and stay healthy then they, by all rights, should start when we open our season and that would just leave one open position and if that's the case that's going to be a post spot. We've got several players competing for that position, which would be Candace Ashford, Opal Taskila, Zoe Rogers of are our returning veterans in the post and Christal Porter is our lone freshman post player who will be competing for that fifth starting spot should our returning starters hold court. But again, our freshmen all played well and showed that they're going to be able to compete at the next level and do it well and that's something as a coaching staff you hope is what happens once you get them on the court. Certainly, it was only one practice but you have a much better feeling after a good first practice than if you'd seen a couple of them that give you some extra gray hairs, which I don't need. MOST RECENT POSTSCATEGORIESARCHIVETWITTER FEEDOTHER LINKS |
