Special Projects

‘Force of nature’ Richard Brown remembered

Richard Brown, a founding faculty member of the Shepherd School’s percussion department, passed away March 14. Outside of being an educator, Brown was a Rice professor for over 40 years as well as a professional musician and entrepreneur. 

Rice baseball veteran David Pierce hired as head coach

David Pierce, assistant baseball coach at Texas State University, will take over as Rice’s new head coach this week, just days after former coach José Cruz Jr. was fired. This is a homecoming for Pierce, who worked at Rice from 2003 to 2011 under the late Wayne Graham. In 2003, Pierce helped Graham lead the team to their first and only national title.

Rice fires baseball head coach José Cruz Jr.

Rice Athletics fired baseball head coach José Cruz Jr. on March 13, less than a month into the season. The baseball team is 2-14 and on a 10-game losing streak, losing three games to Yale over the weekend and Texas A&M - Corpus Christi on Monday. 

WBB fall to USF in the AAC Championship Final

Despite making it to the AAC Championship final for the second year in a row, the Rice women’s basketball team was unable to capture their second-straight title, losing to the University of South Florida 69-62. This was also the second year in a row that the Owls started the tournament in the second round, being ranked tenth and ninth in the conference, respectively.

WBB fall to USF in the AAC Championship Final

Despite making it to the AAC Championship final for the second year in a row, the Rice women’s basketball team was unable to capture their second-straight title, losing to the University of South Florida 69-62. This was also the second year in a row that the Owls started the tournament in the second round, being ranked tenth and ninth in the conference, respectively.

Rice Rally fights for school spirit

If Rice students show up for sports games, they’ll love them — the trick is to keep them coming back. This is something Hannah Wixom and Morgan Toran, two of the three co-presidents of Rice Rally, agree on.

SA announces election results

After a one-day delay in results, Trevor Tobey has been elected as the next Student Association president, receiving 74.7% of first-place votes against write-in candidate Callum Flemister, who received 17.4% of votes.

SA convenes for changeover

The Student Association gathered for leadership changeover March 10 following the results of the 2025 election. The SA welcomed new elected officials, approved the Spring 2025 Initiative Fund for new clubs and announced open applications for SA appointed positions, which include parliamentarian and director of elections. 

Amid West Texas measles outbreak, Rice to host vaccination clinic

Rice will hold a clinic to give the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination March 20 in the Cambridge Office Building. 

Expanded meal swipe, Tetra donations open mid-semester

Following record donations last month, students will be able to donate meal swipes and Tetra until March 14, according to an Instagram post by the Student Association in collaboration with Student Success Initiatives, the Student Association and Housing and Dining.

Students, faculty join rally for demonstration for national Stand Up For Science movement

Around 200 Rice students and faculty expressed their support for the national Stand Up for Science movement in the graduate student commons March 7. The event coincided with SUFS rallies nationwide, including one in Washington, D.C.

Mo’ money, ‘Moh’ Bility: AT&T’s newest NIL athlete

Boasting one of the most unique names in college football, Mohammed “Moh” Bility, a redshirt junior cornerback, has been featured on sports programs such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN College Gameday, Golf Digest, Barstool Sports and more. 

03-11-2025 Crossword Solutions

03-11-2025 Crossword: "Origami"

Emergency Thresher Instructions

03-12-2025 "Owl-American"

“Moh wins!”

Freshman Daniel Zou named AAC Golfer of the Week

Following a top 10 individual finish at the Cabo Collegiate tournament, freshman Daniel Zou received the American Athletic Conference’s Golfer of the Week honor. 

Hazelight’s ‘Split Fiction’ is a new co-op masterpiece

"Split Fiction" might just be the Game of the Year — assuming Rockstar doesn’t finally release "GTA VI." After Hazelight Studios’ smash hit "It Takes Two," expectations were high, and "Split Fiction" absolutely delivered. Already surpassing one million sales within two days, the game became an instant sensation, and notably deserves its acclaim. 

Review: BakerShake shines, falters in directing

BakerShake’s 2025 production of "Macbeth" saw impressive acting but lackluster directing. Performed in Baker Commons on March 6, 7 and 8, the cast of Macbeth were undermined by artistic decisions which made the show harder to perform. 

Review: “Ne Zha 2” takes risks – and they pay off

Earlier last week, “Ne Zha 2” became the first animated film to reach $2 billion in global ticket sales, making it the top grossing animated film of all time after surpassing last year’s “Inside Out 2”. A loose adaptation of the story of Chinese mythological figure Nezha as told by the 16th century novel “Investiture of the Gods”, the film follows Ne Zha, a young boy born with the power of the fiery Demon Pill, as he completes three trials to protect his hometown of Chengtang Pass and save the life of his friend Ao Bing.