24-Hour Challenge Generates Record Support for Owl Club

Houston- Rice Athletics benefited from a record-setting response from supporters and staff during Rice University's recent 24-Hour Challenge on April 11, as more than 1,000 donors pledged more than $275,000 to the Rice Athletics Owl Club.

Participation rose from 623 donors and $153,000 during the 2023 24-Hour Challenge to 1,021 supporters who made a combined contribution of $276,000, the most ever amassed during the annual initiative.

"The response from our supporters is a powerful expression of their belief in our mission and the upward trajectory of Rice Athletics," Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland said. "Their generous contributions to the Rice Athletics Owl Club unrestricted fund enable us to maintain the standard of excellence that defines our Rice community."

Undergraduate alumni were responsible for 45% of the record-setting donations, while 21% came from friends of the program. Donations from Rice faculty and staff accounted for 15%, which included 100% participation from the athletics department staff.

"We set a very high goal for this year's 24-Hour Challenge," said Senior Associate AD / Development Ryan Hall. "With the sense of commitment and passion that the Rice Community has, we knew our supporters would answer the bell, and their expressions of support were amplified by the matching challenge gifts from Gary Chiles, Walt Greenberg, and a third anonymous donor. This truly was a team effort."

"It is a very exciting time to be a part of Rice Athletics and we cannot thank our donors and fans enough for the level of dedication. 'Rice Fight Never Dies' was on full display on Thursday," Hall added.

The Rice Athletics campaign was part of a university-wide fundraising effort in which more than 6,400 donors across 36 countries and 50 states contributed to the university.

While April 11 was designated as the official 24-Hour Challenge, the opportunity remains for supporters to add to the record-setting by pledging their support on-line.

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