Dear Rice Baseball Fans,

The 2022 season was the beginning of what promises to be the start of an exciting new era of Rice Baseball, under the leadership of a familiar face to all Owl fans – alumnus and 12-year major leaguer Bixby Family Head Baseball Coach Jose Cruz Jr.

While Coach Cruz is confident that the wins and a return to postseason play is in our future; he is determined to build a consistent winner with a philosophy that emphasizes student-athlete development in every phase of their lives and a culture built on accountability and meeting the expectations of being a Rice baseball student-athlete on the field of play and in the classroom.

The highlights of the 2022 season were foundational in nature. Rice is now among the elite of college baseball when it comes to technology and player development with a new state-of-the-art pitching lab, a new turf playing field, motion capture cameras in the Bixby Batting barn, and technological advancements where our sports medicine and performance staffs work collaboratively on injury prevention and return to play.

In addition, Rice Baseball has partnered with the Rice Sports Management department and developed an analytics program where Rice students assist the program with player development and scouting. Perhaps the most noteworthy highlight last year was the academic performance of the team; something that Coach Cruz directly oversees daily. The 2021-2022 academic year witnessed the two highest team cumulative grade point averages in school history – 3.24 – fall semester 2021 and 3.28 – spring semester 2022.

For Rice Baseball to achieve our goal of excellence, we need your continued support. From state-of-the-art technology to enhanced nutrition, and from facility upgrades to season ticket purchases, the RBI Club has always been a consistent means of support which directly benefits our student-athletes. On behalf of everyone associated with Rice Athletics and baseball, we thank you and encourage you to renew your gift. For us to reach our goal of excellence and return to prominence, we need your help and to spread the word to others.

For an update on fall ball and a preview of the 2023 season, an interview with Coach Cruz is available HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXqcjvrovhk

Here is a snapshot of the RBI Club finances:

Fiscal Year 2022 Summary (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)
Beginning Balance: $158,039
Fund Raised: $184,065
Expenses: $200,721
Remaining Balance $141,383

Expenses
Pitching Lab $67,000
Technology: $13,051 (1)
Supplemental nutrition: $66,375 (2)
Locker room upgrades: $13,228 (3)
Golf Cart: $19,250 (4)
Other: $21,817 (5)

*All numbers shown are rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

Notes
(1) Communication modules, computers to facilitate use of lab and batting barn equipment, and advanced recovery equipment as referenced on page 1.

(2) The supplemental nutrition consists of snacks, fruit, protein drinks, and energy bars available to the team on a grab-and-go basis. This amount provided for additional meals not associated with competition. All meals associated with competition, both home and away, were accounted for in the program’s department funded operational budget.

(3) This amount was provided for custom lockers, graphics in the locker room, and additional locker room upgrades.

(4) This was the total amount for the one-time expense of the golf cart. Insurance paid $8,400 towards this amount based on the claim from the old cart.

(5) The largest portion of this amount is the expense incurred for the RBI Club’s annual golf tournament which is offset by revenue and donations taken in at the event. The remainder of the amount is miscellaneous, one off expenses to enhance the program requested by Coach Cruz.


As you consider making a gift to the RBI, please note that we will have five donor levels available this year. The donor benefits associated with each level are as follows:

On behalf of our student-athletes, Coach Cruz and the RBI Board of Directors, we sincerely hope that you will consider making a gift to the RBI Club. If you have any questions as you consider making a gift, please feel free to call me or any member of our board or Deputy Athletic Director Rick Mello at (713) 348-8872 or (786) 251-8050.

SUPPORT RICE BASEBALL:
RBI Contribution: To make your annual gift to Rice Baseball, please call Conor Glenn at 713-348-3966 or make your gift online by clicking HERE: https://riceconnect.rice.edu/rbiclub

RBI Annual Dinner: Please save the date! The annual RBI Club Dinner will be on Monday, January 23rd. Please make your gift by January 6th to ensure you receive the invitation. More details to come!

Go Owls!

Bo Johnson Blake Hutchinson

President Chair, Finance Committee

RBI Board of Directors RBI Board of Directors