March 28, 2008

Rice President David Leebron will be one of the dignitaries who will take to the sidelines on tomorrow at Rice Stadium who will take a turn calling plays during the Rice Owls Spring Scrimmage, which kicks off at 5 p.m. at Rice Stadium.

He will call offensive plays for one quarter of the first half, sending in instructions to the Owls offense that once again features the record setting passing attack of Chase Clement, Jarett Dillard and James Casey, and then switch to the defensive side of the ball in the second quarter. He will be joined on his sideline by Rice Dean of Undergraduate Education Robin Forman, Rice Board of Trustees President and Rice golf letterman Jim Crownover, Bucky Allshouse, a football letterman from 1968-70 and a member of the Rice University Board of Trustees, and Billy Hale, who lettered in football from 1962-64.

The White defensive team will open with a coaching assist from Kevin Kirby, Rice Vice President for Administration; Leonard Tallerine, President and CEO of Goldking; Brett Wagner, who lettered for the Owls from 1980-82; Gary Ferguson, who lettered from 1972-74 and John Huff, who lettered 1965.

In addition to the notable additions to the coaching staff, Saturday's scrimmage will also feature free Rice T-shirts to the first 500 students in attendance, as well as a field goal kicking contest by some of the students during the halftime break.

The scrimmage is free of charge and is one of a series of events the Owls football staff is hosting this week.

Activities began today with the third annual Rice Owl Football Lettermen/Alumni Golf Tournament at Sienna Plantation Golf Club.

Prior to tomorrow's scrimmage, the Owls will their 2008 Spring JR. Owl Clinic, which is open to 1st through 8th graders. The clinic will start at 4:00 pm and will run until 5:00. All JR Owls are encouraged to stay for the Spring Game which will begin at 5:00 p.m. Parents can call the football office at 713-348-6900 for any questions.

After the scrimmage, the Owls will host a Coaches Social and Crawfish Boil for all area football coaches. Cost for the event is $7 per coach. Coaches are encouraged to register for the event in advance. Coaches Social Registration Form (PDF)