A Philanthropic Touchdown

Chase Allen ’98 is giving back to the university that shaped his life by establishing the William Chase Allen ’98 Endowed Football Scholarship, a fund designed to ease financial burdens for Rice football players and help them thrive both on the field and in the classroom.

It’s a gift rooted in personal experience. Hailing from the small town of Lockhart, Texas, Chase was drawn to Rice’s intimate campus and proximity to home. But it was the university’s rare blend of academic rigor and athletic excellence that truly sealed his decision. “Rice started recruiting me for the football team around my junior year of high school,” Chase recalls. “I knew I could get the best of both worlds there. It was an opportunity to compete at a high level and get an education that was second to none.”

That choice would shape his life in lasting ways. Now an energy trader, he largely attributes his personal achievements to Rice. “The mental and physical challenges I endured in the classroom and on the field — managing failure, dealing with success and striving for excellence — helped prepare me for my career and the real world,” Chase says.

During Chase’s time on the football team, the Owls celebrated three winning seasons, highlighted by a memorable victory over the University of Texas in 1994. “I wasn’t surprised by the win. We had great players,” he recalls. “But what meant the most to me were the relationships I built and the success we shared as a team. I want to see that spirit continue.”

Chase’s passion for Rice Football and his desire to uplift future student-athletes inspired him to establish the scholarship. “I hope it makes life a little easier for the recipient,” he says. “That way, they can focus on their studies and becoming a better athlete.”

As both a donor and an avid Rice Football fan, Chase encourages others to support the Owls in whatever way they can. “An endowment is a great way to leave a lasting legacy,” he says. “But there’s a lot of ways to support the student athletes. Your time and willingness to show up for them at games means so much.”

Accelerate the Vision

Chase Allen is creating a lasting path to success for Rice’s football players. To learn how you can support Rice Athletics and student-athletes, contact Michael McBride, senior associate athletic director of development, at michael.mcbride@rice.edu or 713-348-6970.