Blackett Named Third-Ever Women’s Track and Field/Cross Country Head Coach

HOUSTON – Rice Vice President and Director of Athletics Tommy McClelland announced on Tuesday that Andrea Blackett '97 has been named the third-ever head coach for the women's track and field/cross country program. Blackett will take over the program effective on July 1, following the retirement of longtime head coach Jim Bevan.

McClelland informed the team shortly before their departure for the American Conference Track & Field Championships, which begins in Denton, Texas, on Thursday.

One of the greatest student-athletes in Rice athletics history, Blackett rejoined the Owls this season as the associate head coach, bringing her career full circle from student-athlete to now her alma mater's next head coach.

Blackett follows two of her mentors, Victor Lopez (1980-2005) and Bevan (2005-2026), as the only head coaches in program history.

"Andrea Blackett represents everything that is great about Rice Athletics: excellence, integrity, competitive greatness, and a deep commitment to the development of student-athletes," McClelland stated. "As one of the most accomplished student-athletes in the history of Rice University, Andrea has built a remarkable coaching career at the collegiate level while continuing to impact young people in a meaningful way. Her experience, leadership, and championship pedigree make her the ideal person to lead our women's track & field and cross country program into its next era. It is especially meaningful to see a former Rice Owl return to lead the program that helped shape her journey, and I could not be more excited for Andrea, our student-athletes, and the future of this program."

"I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve in this role as the third Head Women's Track & Field Coach at Rice University," Blackett said. "Our program has a long-standing tradition of excellence, both academically and athletically, and I'm excited to continue to build on that foundation. Succeeding two head coaches like Victor Lopez and Jim Bevan is truly humbling. I have tremendous respect for everything they have both accomplished and the culture they created here. I am eager to keep on working with our student-athletes, staff, alumni, and the entire Rice community as we continue striving for excellence on the track/field, in the classroom, and in life."

"I'm very excited for Andrea and for the future of our program," Bevan said. "Andrea is a sterling example of a great coach, a great person, and is a pivotal part of the history of Rice women's track and field as an athlete and coach. She is one of the greatest athletes in Rice history and has developed some of the best sprinters that Rice has ever seen over her years on South Main. Andrea's extensive coaching experience, her knowledge of Rice, and her commitment to leading aspiring student-athletes towards their goals will enable her to flourish with our program. Andrea is the perfect choice to become the program's next head coach, and I couldn't be happier for her. I'm so excited for our future."

A 1997 graduate of Rice, Blackett's coaching resume includes 12 seasons on South Main from 2005 to 2016. Blackett coached one season at UCLA in 2017 before moving to Azusa Pacific in 2018 as an assistant coach, capturing two team NCAA DII Championships.

She earned three USTFCCCA National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year honors: 2021 (Outdoor), 2023 (Indoor) and 2023 (Outdoor). Blackett's decorated coaching career also includes being
named a combined seven-time West Region Assistant Coach of the Year between indoor and outdoor.

At the 2023 NCAA Championships, Blackett's sprint group collected 41 of the team's 66 points en route to the second NCAA championship in three seasons for Azusa Pacific. Blackett's sprinters accounted for 32 of the 81 points scored at the 2021 NCAA Championship, leading the Cougars to their first NCAA championship in program history. Her sprinters captured three NCAA individual championships.

Blackett returned to South Main this season as the program's associate head coach and had an immediate impact, guiding her sprinters to six podium finishes, including gold medals in the 400m and 4x400m relay at the 2026 American Conference Indoor Championships.

During her first coaching stint with the Owls, Blackett developed 100m school-record holder Shakera Reece into one of the fastest female sprinters in Rice history. Her 2008 squad claimed CUSA titles in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. Rice captured four outdoor and three indoor CUSA team titles during Blackett's first span with the Owls.

A veteran international competitor, Blackett represented Barbados at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. She also competed in six IAAF World Championships from 1997-2007. Blackett holds the Barbados national record in the 400m hurdles, set in August 1999. After retiring from international competition, she served as the head track and field coach for Barbados at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Blackett set school records in both the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles as an Owl. Her time in the 400m hurdles remains the school record, while her time in the 100m hurdles ranks second. She was a member of the Owls' 4x400m relay team, which won the NCAA Indoor title in 1997, and still holds the school record. Blackett finished her Rice career as a six-time All-American and advanced to the NCAA Championships all four years with the Owls.

Blackett was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 and again in 2007 as part of the 1997 NCAA Indoor champion 4x400m relay team.

What They're Saying:

Victor Lopez – Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Head Coach (1980-2005)
"I am so happy for Andrea to be named the next head coach of Rice women's track and field. Andrea is a phenomenal human and the true embodiment of what a Rice student-athlete is. Andrea understands Rice's philosophy and the uniqueness of a Rice student-athlete. The success she had as an athlete at Rice translated into her professional and Olympic career, and she has since flourished in her coaching career and will do the same at Rice. I could not be happier about the program's future. Rice women's track and field is in great hands."

Jon Warren – Rice Men's Track and Field/Cross Country Head Coach
"It's exciting to see the legacy of a tremendous former athlete continue by becoming the head coach of their program. It's also exciting to have another alum back at Rice. It is a real plus to have someone who has experience what Rice is about. This is a really special place, and someone like Andrea, who has a deep understanding of Rice, is a great fit for the women's track and field program. Her experiences as a student-athlete at Rice, as a professional athlete, and as a coach will guide her to have a tremendous impact on the program and continue her storied legacy at Rice."

Jack Hoyt – Azusa Pacific Director of Track & Field
"Andrea Blackett was instrumental to the team's success at Azusa Pacific. The sprinters and hurdlers trusted her leadership, were perfectly prepared, and executed when it counted most. She spent countless hours as a mentor and poured herself into supporting their lives. She was passionate about making sure the Azusa Pacific team was thriving on and off the track. Rice made the right decision bringing her back home!"

Funmi Blakemore (Jimoh) '07 – Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna and Olympian
"The selection of Andrea Blackett as the third head coach in the history of Rice Women's Track and Field is a decision rooted in excellence, and there is no better word for it. From her days as a Rice All-American and Hall of Famer, to representing her country on the Olympic stage, to building a best-in-class coaching career both within and beyond Rice, Andrea has embodied what this program stands for at every turn. Her coaching excellence is beyond reproach, and the leadership she brings to these young women is something I have had the joy and privilege of witnessing firsthand. The legacy she has already created is one that lives within me, and I look forward to seeing it live in more and more young women going forward. Rice Women's Track and Field's future is in extraordinary hands."

Dr. Regina Cavanaugh '87 – Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna
"Thrice for Rice! Andrea Blackett is the perfect choice to extend Rice Women's Track and Field's history of excellence in head coaching! We are so lucky to get this nationally recognized assistant coach, who is also an Olympian and former Olympic coach for Barbados. She brings her knowledge of what it takes to be a student-athlete at Rice, as she is certainly one of Rice's greatest. Two before her laid the foundation; Victor Lopez started the program and dedicated over 26 years, and Jim Bevan committed 40 years, serving as Victor's assistant and subsequently as the head coach. Now, Andrea Blackett brings her outstanding leadership and will be making a legacy of her own. Wishing her many successful decades ahead!"

Dr. Riva Rahl '95 – Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna
"I was thrilled to hear that Andrea Blackett has been named head coach for Rice women's track and field. Having Andrea take over in Jim's retirement is ideal to continue the legacy that Jim and Victor have created for Rice women's track and field, with unmatched success at Rice on the conference, national, and international stages. Andrea and I were teammates from 1993 to 1995, and I have always appreciated her work ethic, calm leadership, and her love for track and field. Our program is in good hands as she continues to lead our student athletes to become leaders, engineers, doctors, professionals, and Olympians."

Allison Beckford '04 – Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna and Olympian
"I'm so excited that Andrea was named the new head coach for Rice women's track and field. I honestly can't think of anyone else more deserving of this position. The team will be in excellent hands under her leadership. Andy knows track and field inside and out and truly knows the heart and soul of Rice University and the Rice track program. More importantly, she genuinely cares about the student-athletes and wants the best for both them and the program."

Valerie Tulloch Cramer '96 – Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna
"What a full circle moment! I remember when Andy arrived at Rice University as a freshman from Barbados. I've had the privilege of watching her career develop and flourish as a student-athlete and Olympian under the tutelage of our shared legendary coach, Victor Lopez, and finally, as a successful coach herself. Andrea understands what makes the women's track and field/cross country program truly unique. The delicate balance of academic excellence and athletic achievement while committing to the development of the young women entrusted to the program by their families. As a Rice Alumni who's remained connected to this tight-knit community for decades, I couldn't be more thrilled and proud of her accomplishments! Andrea represents the best of what Rice produces; leaders who return to invest in the next generation. Welcome home, Coach Andy!"

Emily Massad Rabbitt '94, MAcc '95- Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna
"I'm thrilled to hear that Andrea will be filling Jim's shoes as head coach. She is an outstanding choice! Her experience as both a coach and a former athlete at Rice will continue the level of excellence that the Rice women's track program is known for. I'm so excited to watch my former teammate lead our women's track athletes. Congratulations, Andrea!"

Lennie Waite - Rice Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Alumna and Olympian
"I am so excited that Andrea will lead the next generation of Rice women's track and field. Her understanding of what it takes to be great at Rice is second to none, and her deep roots in this program only strengthen her ability to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes. Andrea's journey through Rice women's track and field is a testament to the program's legacy; she competed under the guidance of Coach Victor Lopez, coached alongside the legendary Jim Bevan, and now steps forward to carry the torch as head coach. The continuity and lived experience at every level of this program is something truly special. The future of Rice women's track and field is in great hands, and I cannot wait to see Andrea thrive in this role."

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