The Owls have appeared often in the NCAA tournament since the tenure of head coach Wayne Graham began in 1992.

The highest Rice rankings in SWC regular season play were second-place finishes in 1984 and 1994.

Data cited in the survey included Rice's five College World Series appearances and 2003 championship, its 35 major-league draft picks, and its 15 All-America selections over that span.

[5] Graham whose 953 victories over 21 seasons make him both the winningest and longest-tenured coach in Rice history.

[10] Rice entered the 2003 College World Series with a starting rotation made up of three sophomore pitchers: Jeff Niemann, Wade Townsend, and Philip Humber.

[11] Rice won its first three games in the tournament– a 4–2 win over Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University), a 12–2 defeat of defending champion Texas, and a second victory over Texas to advance to the championship round.

Rice won the first game with its second consecutive walk-off victory, as Chris Kolkhorst scored from second on a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th to win 4-3.

[16] The University commissioned a painting of the championship to sell to fans and alumni that is still available in print form.

[18] Reckling Park is the baseball stadium at Rice University in Houston, Texas, USA.

The stadium was built on the site of Cameron Field, Rice's home from 1978–99, in time for the 2000 season.

In 2003, however, Rice turned the tables, defeating the Longhorns twice en route to their eventual championship.

Factors contributing to the continued rivalry between the two schools include their proximity to one another, as well as the fact that many of their players compete together in summer leagues.

[26] Most notable among these are All-Star pitcher Norm Charlton, Gold Glover José Cruz Jr., Perfect game pitcher Philip Humber of the Houston Astros, and five-time All-Star and Astros outfielder Lance Berkman.