At Rice University's annual Night of the Owl event, standout senior athletes Cal Abdulky and Lademi Ogunlana received the prestigious Bob Quin and Joyce Pounds Hardy awards, respectively. Abdulky, a three-time American Conference champion in track and field, leaves behind a legacy as one of the top throwers in Rice history. Ogunlana, named Offensive Player of the Week, joins the ranks as the 10th recipient of her award for exceptional contributions to the volleyball team. Additional honors included recognition for the Scholar Athletes of the Year and various other team awards, celebrating the achievements from the 2025-26 athletic season.

By the Numbers
  • Cal Abdulky is a three-time American Conference champion with seven All-Conference honors.
  • Lademi Ogunlana received multiple American Conference honors, including Preseason All-Conference recognition.
State of Play
  • Rice football won the SAAC Cup, encouraging team bonding across various sports.
  • The women's tennis team was awarded the Best Moment for winning the American Conference championship.
What's Next

Both Abdulky and Ogunlana will graduate soon, with Ogunlana expected to continue her academic excellence while pursuing a career in sports medicine. The athletics program will look to build on these successful seasons in anticipation of consistently producing top-tier talent.

Bottom Line

This year鈥檚 Night of the Owl not only highlighted individual excellence but also showcased the strength of Rice's athletic community, setting a promising foundation for future success. Continued investment in both student-athletes and coaching will be key to maintaining this momentum.