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08/27/1998 Operation Sellout II Aims for Bigger Season Opener BY DAVID KAPLAN Last year, the Owls kicked off the football season in front of 53,000 fans at Rice Stadium. This year, there could be an even bigger crowd when Rice takes on Southern Methodist University at the Sept. 5 opener. "Operation Sellout II" is under way and (as of press time) only about 17,500 tickets remain. The goal, according to Mike Pede, the athletic department's director of marketing and promotions, is an attendance of 62,000. Rice Stadium can hold 70,000 spectators, but the north end zone will be blocked off for a post-game fireworks show. The big event will double as a food drive. The Houston Food Bank is asking each fan to bring seven cans of food. Food Bank officials are hoping to load nine semitrailers with canned goods. If that goal is met, this will be the largest single collection of food in Houston's history. Houston Mayor Lee Brown, who will be honored at the game, noted at a recent Operation Sellout II press conference that the Rice/SMU game might very well be Houston's largest athletic event of the year. A former Rice professor of sociology, Brown praised the idea of a food drive being held in conjunction with the game, saying, "No one should go hungry." Brown will attend the game with a group of underprivileged children. Rice President Malcolm Gillis observed that the food drive will be a wonderful opportunity for Rice to extend its tradition of community service. A special halftime presentation will recognize four Owls football legends who are Rice's first-ever "Ring of Distinction" honorees: Dicky Maegle ('57-'58), Froggy Williams ('46-'49), the late Weldon Humble ('42-'46), and the late coach Jess Neely ('40-'66). Large marble plates in honor of each person will be displayed on the facade of the upper east stadium deck facing the field. The 7 p.m. game will also feature a pregame fly-over with aircraft from the Lone Star Flight Museum and a post-game fireworks display. Before the game there will be a pregame tailgate party with food, drinks and live bands, beginning at 4 p.m. The two teams will be playing for the "Mayor's Cup," a traveling trophy that has been created to enhance the Rice/SMU rivalry, which dates back to 1916. Brown and Dallas Mayor Ronald Kirk have wagered that the losing mayor must wear the winning team's jersey to the first city council meeting following the game. The Owls are eager to avenge their '97 loss to the Mustangs. Last year's Owls were an impressive 7-4. Coupons for $9 tickets are available at Whataburger. For group tickets call Operation Sellout at (713) 737-6196. For related information see the following Web site: |
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