Rice Owls Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Scott Pera

Team Mascot: Sammy the Owl

Year Opened: 1950

Capacity: 5208

City / State: Houston / Texas

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Bayou Cup: Rice-Houston

Rival Team: Houston Cougars

Rice and Houston have an intense rivalry that spans a variety of sports. Bragging rights in the city of Houston are always on the line when the Owls and Cougars meet, and things became even more intense in 2002 when the Bayou Cup was added to the rivalry. Don’t miss the annual Rice-Houston game, as it’s always one of the biggest games of the year.

Rice Owls Stadium Guide

In Game

Tudor Fieldhouse is a quaint 5,000-seat arena that provides an incredibly intimate setting for college hoops. You’ll be right on top of the action no matter where you’re sitting at a Rice basketball game, making it a great experience for anyone who wants to see some Division I hoops up close.

You won’t be the only one who enjoys sitting up close and on top of the players. The Autry Army uses Tudor Fieldhouse’s small size to aid them in getting after the opponents. Rice students are the loudest fans in the building, and everyone on the court can hear their cheers, so come prepared to hear some heckling from the Autry Army.

Rice is located only a few miles from downtown Houston, so you’ll find lots of pre and post game entertainment nearby. Houston is home to a variety of restaurants, and the nearby Rice Village neighborhood has a lot to offer including Little Woodrow’s. Make it a full weekend trip when visiting Rice, so you can see all that Houston has to offer.

A Rice basketball game is home to an intimate atmosphere that you won’t soon forget and there is plenty to see in Houston, so plan your trip to Tudor Fieldhouse today.

Things to check out

Banners

Hanging from the rafters of Tudor Fieldhouse are banners honoring the school’s Nobel Peace Prize winners and Rhodes Scholars, as well as the basketball team’s accomplishments. Rather than honoring just athletics at their arena, Rice puts their own unique spin on it and honors their greatest scholars as well. Take a minute to see all of the banners hanging inside Tudor Fieldhouse.

Team Store

Stop by the Rice Team Store if you’re looking to pick up a souvenir from your trip. The store is home to a wide variety of Rice gear, so no matter what you’re looking for you’ll find it here.

Sammy the Owl

Sammy is the official costumed owl mascot at Rice and can be found all around the sideline on game days. He is a lively mascot and will surely put a smile on your face as he entertains the crowd during the game.

play Watch video

Autry Army

The Autry Army is famous for heckling opponents and giving them a hard time. These students will stop at nothing to help the Owls take home the W, so enjoy the uproarious atmosphere created by the Autry Army at a Rice basketball game.

After Game Free Throws

If you’re taking the kids, then a Rice basketball game offers a great opportunity for them to win a prize. After the game, kids can attempt a free throw for a chance to win a mini-basketball.

Marching Owl Band

Rice’s marching band is not a marching band in the traditional sense and are in fact a scatter band, which means the members do not march and play non-standard instruments including violins, cellos, and even electric guitars. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for this unusual gameday band.

play Watch video

Fight Songs

  1. Fight Song

    Fight for Rice, Rice fight on, loyal sons arise.
    The Blue and Gray for Rice today,
    comes breaking through skies.
    Fight, fight, fight! Stand and cheer, Vict’ry’s near,
    Sammy leads the way. Onward go! to crush the foe,
    We’ll fight for Blue and Gray.

  2. Rice’s Honor

    Alma Mater

    All for
    Honor, we will fight on.
    We will be fighting when this day is done. And when the dawn comes breaking,
    We’ll be fighting on, Rice, for the Gray and Blue.
    We will be loyal, to Rice be true.

  3. The Old Gray Bonnet

    Put on your old gray bonnet
    with the blue ribbon on it
    And we’ll take old Sammy to the fray And we’ll rock, rock, rock’em
    And we’ll sock, sock, sock’em
    To the end of Judgment Day.

Rice Owls Bars & Restaurants

  1. Upstairs Bar & Lounge

    Upstairs Bar and Lounge

    Upstairs Bar & Lounge is strictly 21+ neighborhood gathering spot that features light bites, handcrafted cocktails, and an expansive second-floor terrace.

    2356 Rice Boulevard fl 2, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  2. Under the Volcano

    Under the Volcano

    This place has a very cool, relaxed atmosphere and the best drinks!

    2349 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-526-5282

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. Simone on Sunset

    Simone on Sunset

    The kind of neighborhood gathering for spirits, wine and bites in the Rice Village for which we've been waiting.

    2418 Sunset Blvd a, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    346-980-8107

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club

    The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club

    The Big Easy is Houston’s premier venue for live Blues and Zydeco.

    5731 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-523-9999

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. The Gorgeous Gael

    The Gorgeous Gael

    The Gorgeous Gael represents everything that is truly great about modern Irish entertainment culture – premium customer service and top quality food,

    5555 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    832-667-8321

    Bar website

    american - european - $$

  6. Helen Greek Food and Wine

    Helen Greek Food and Wine

    Greek cuisine different from any thing else on the planet.

    2429 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    832-831-7133

    Bar website

    european - $$

  7. Little Woodrow’s

    Little Woodrows beer

    Little Woodrow’s Neighborhood Bar is the beer lovers place for the ultimate sports watching experience, featuring drink specials every day with over 100 beers and a FULL bar!

    5611 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-521-2337

    Bar website

    american - $

  8. Valhalla

    Valhalla

    A place for graduate students to hang out, relax and socialize after a long day of school/work.

    Peter and Nancy Huff House, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-348-3258

    Bar website

    american - $

  9. Willy’s Pub

    Willys Pub beer

    Willy’s Pub is Rice University’s oldest and least family friendly student-run business.

    6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-348-4056

    Bar website

    american - $

  10. Salento

    Salento menu

    Characterized by a blend of Latin American and European culture, Salento Bistrot is a unique urban hub serving a variety of beverages and foods.

    2407 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-528-7478

    Bar website

    european - $$

  11. D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe

    DAmicos Italian Market Cafe

    We are a combination full service and to go restaurant specializing in authentic Northern and Southern Sicilian cuisine.

    5510 Morningside Dr #140, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-526-3400

    Bar website

    italian - $$

  12. Hungry’s

    Hungrys

    Offers a diverse array of menu options including seasonal lunch and dinner specials, a relevant selection of wines, a robust brunch menu and uniquely-blended cocktails, all made fresh-to-order.

    2356 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-523-8652

    Bar website

    american - $$

  13. Fellini Caffè

    Fellini Caffe

    Fellini is inspired by the elegant sidewalk cafés of Italy bringing an authentic taste of Europe to residents and visitors of Rice Village.

    5211 Kelvin Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    281-888-6654

    Bar website

    italian - cafe - $

  14. Cloud 10 Creamery

    Cloud Ten Creamery

    Our hand crafted ice creams and sorbets are blended a half a gallon at a time, with unique flavors and premium ingredients by our own award winning Pastry Chef Chris Leung.

    5216 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-434-6129

    Bar website

    cafe - $$

  15. El Meson Restaurant

    El Meson Restaurant

    We use the finest golden threat Saffron from Valencia and the authentic Bomba de Calasparra D.O rice from Murcia. Real and authentic Spanish paella; Seared salmon with spinach!

    2425 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-522-9306

    Bar website

    european - $$

  16. Brown Bag Deli

    Brown Bag Deli

    The best sandwiches in Houston!

    2540 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-520-6100

    Bar website

    american - $

  17. Prego Houston

    Prego Houston

    Prego specializes in fresh, modern Italian cuisine. We feature handcrafted-pasta, house-cured salumi, hand-tossed and wood-fired pizzas and other Italian specialties.

    2520 Amherst St, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    Bar website

    italian - pizza - $$

  18. Coppa Osteria

    Coppa Osteria pizza

    Coppa Osteria is the perfect paring of food and lifestyle.

    5210 Morningside Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-522-3535

    Bar website

    italian - $$

  19. Local Foods

    Local Foods

    Local Foods celebrates Texas with artisan sandwiches made with locally hand-made bread, farmer’s market sides, homemade soups and an all-Texas beer & wine list.

    2424 Dunstan Rd, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-521-7800

    Bar website

    american - $$

  20. Torchy’s Tacos

    Torchys Tacos

    "damn these tacos are good!"

    2400 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-487-0067

    Bar website

    american - mexican - $

  21. The Raven Grill

    The Raven Grill

    A neighborhood restaurant serving fresh regional food cooked over a wood fire grill and served in a casual, comfortable atmosphere. Also featuring a great wine list.

    1916 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, USA

    713-521-2027

    Bar website

    american - $$