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Rice University Athletics
Rice Names Five To Athletic Hall of Fame
9/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2005
HOUSTON - Rice will add four of its all-time greats athletics and a legendary coach to its athletic hall of fame during induction ceremonies on Oct. 14, "R" Association executive director Don Knodel has announced.
Entering the hall as Rice athletes will be Lance Berkman (baseball, '98), Andrea Blackett (women's track, '97), Marla Brumfield (women's basketball, '00), and Larry Izzo (football, '95). The coach to be honored is Owls baseball skipper Wayne Graham. In addition, Bill Tom Closs (men's basketball, '43) will receive the Distinguished "R" and Karen George ('77) will be named the recipient of an Honorary "R."
Berkman, currently a National League all-star with the Houston Astros, led the Owls to their first three NCAA playoff appearances in 1995-97, including the school's first College World Series berth in '97. He was a two-time all-America and was named the national player of the year in '97.
Blackett was a six-time all-America selection for the Owls in the intermediate hurdles and as a member of stellar 4x400-meter relay teams. She was a national runner-up in the hurdles in the '97 NCAA championships and was a two-time Olympian for her native Barbados.
Brumfield led the Owls to its first Western Athletic Conference championship and the school's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2000. A four-time all-WAC selection, she ended her Rice career ranked third in career points and 11th in career rebounds.
Izzo, who will defer his formal induction to a later date, was a two-time all-Southwest Conference linebacker for the Owls, helping Rice to a share of the SWC championship in 1994. Izzo has been a special teams star in the NFL for 10 seasons and has earned three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.
Graham, who is a recent inductee to the Texas Baseball and Texas Sports halls of fame, has led the Owls to national prominence in his 14 seasons on South Main. Under his tutelage, Rice won the NCAA championship in 2003, taken 10 consecutive conference championships, and has made 11 straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Closs, an all-America selection on Rice teams which dominated the SWC in the early 1940s. He has been a successful businessman in northern California following a six-year professional basketball career.
George, who, with her family, has been one of Rice's most visible fans at all athletic events, is currently a member of the University's board of trustees representing the Association of Rice Alumni. She is a certified public accountant with a private investment firm.
Ceremonies will be held in the Owl Club atop the south end of Rice Stadium on Oct. 14 at 7 pm, and the group will be honored at halftime of the Rice-Tulsa football game the following afternoon in the Stadium.
For ticket information, contact the "R" Association at 713-348-6915.
