The Owls compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference.

The team is based in Houston, Texas at the Wendel D. Ley Track and Holloway Field.

[4] Two Rice athletes have gone on to win Olympic medals in track and field, both men's pole vaulters Fred Hansen and David Roberts.

[5] A third Rice track and field athlete, Heather McDermid, has also won Olympic medals, but in the eight competition of rowing.

[2] As of 2024[update], a total of 68 men and 34 women have achieved individual All-American status at the men's outdoor, women's outdoor, men's indoor, or women's indoor national championships.