Rice University Athletics
Women’s Track Receives $500,000 Gift from Dr. Riva Rahl
3/28/2026 4:20:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
HOUSTON – The Rice women's track and field program received a $500,000 gift from alumna Dr. Riva Rahl '95, contributing to performance room renovations and a new endowed scholarship for the program.
Rahl's $500,000 contribution will be split into two areas, with $350,000 towards an endowed scholarship for the program in head coach Jim Bevan's name, and $150,000 for renovations and equipment for the newly named Jim Bevan Sports Performance Room.
Her contribution to the women's track and field program is the largest single donation in program history.
"We are grateful for Riva's commitment to ensuring that we continue to have sustained success with our women's track and field program," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland. "With Riva's generosity, not only our current student-athletes, but our future student-athletes will all benefit tremendously here at Rice. Riva embodies everything that being a student-athlete at Rice represents, and we are grateful for her support."
"I am grateful for the tremendous gift Riva has given our program to ensure that we continue to achieve at a high level," Bevan said. "Her generosity and commitment to the program will allow us to bring the best student-athletes in the world to Rice for years to come. Riva is a true inspiration as an athlete, teammate, contributor, and even more now in her real-world achievements. I am honored that Riva has chosen to dedicate the facility and the endowed scholarship in my name, but none of this would be possible without her generosity."
The newly named Jim Bevan Sports Performance Room was fully renovated, with brand-new exercise equipment, including full and half racks, squat racks, rowing machines, stationary bikes, reverse hyper machines, treadmills, and machine weights, among other equipment. The building also received graphic art and signage placed throughout.
If you'd like to contribute to the Jim Bevan Endowed Fund for Women's Track & Field, please click the following link https://riceconnect.rice.edu/donation/owl-club. Please include a note that says, "for the Jim Bevan Endowed Fund for Women's Track & Field".
Rahl's $500,000 contribution will be split into two areas, with $350,000 towards an endowed scholarship for the program in head coach Jim Bevan's name, and $150,000 for renovations and equipment for the newly named Jim Bevan Sports Performance Room.
Her contribution to the women's track and field program is the largest single donation in program history.
"We are grateful for Riva's commitment to ensuring that we continue to have sustained success with our women's track and field program," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland. "With Riva's generosity, not only our current student-athletes, but our future student-athletes will all benefit tremendously here at Rice. Riva embodies everything that being a student-athlete at Rice represents, and we are grateful for her support."
"I am grateful for the tremendous gift Riva has given our program to ensure that we continue to achieve at a high level," Bevan said. "Her generosity and commitment to the program will allow us to bring the best student-athletes in the world to Rice for years to come. Riva is a true inspiration as an athlete, teammate, contributor, and even more now in her real-world achievements. I am honored that Riva has chosen to dedicate the facility and the endowed scholarship in my name, but none of this would be possible without her generosity."
The newly named Jim Bevan Sports Performance Room was fully renovated, with brand-new exercise equipment, including full and half racks, squat racks, rowing machines, stationary bikes, reverse hyper machines, treadmills, and machine weights, among other equipment. The building also received graphic art and signage placed throughout.
If you'd like to contribute to the Jim Bevan Endowed Fund for Women's Track & Field, please click the following link https://riceconnect.rice.edu/donation/owl-club. Please include a note that says, "for the Jim Bevan Endowed Fund for Women's Track & Field".
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