Rice Football to relocate to TCU until safe to return

HOUSTON (FOX 26) -

               The Owls are slated to arrive at DFW Airport at approximately 2 p.m.  on Monday afternoon.

               “I want to thank the staffs at TCU, SMU, Baylor and UTEP who all reached out to offer whatever help we needed,” Rice head coach David Bailiff said.  “There is a strong brotherhood in the coaching world and it is never more evident than at times like these.  While we would love to be coming home today, our first responsibility is the safety of these players.  We learned some lessons in 2008 (when the Owls were at Vanderbilt when Hurricane Ike struck Houston) about coming home too soon.”

               “We are grateful for the overwhelming outreach and support from our friends in the college athletics community,” Rice Athletics Director Joe Karlgaard said. “The terrific people at Anthony Travel, United Airlines, TCU and Baylor in particular have helped out football and volleyball programs stay safe while we wait to return to Houston.

               “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the storm and the first responders in Houston.”

               The Owls are off this week and will return to action on September 9.