Fever Pitch
Rice hosted a live recording of the “Men in Blazers” podcast before the arrival of the 2026 World Cup.
In March, Rice’s Brockman Hall for Opera hosted a live recording of the “Men in Blazers” podcast, celebrating soccer and all things Houston 99 days before the FIFA World Cup arrives. Podcast host Roger Bennett led conversations with guests that showcased the city’s reach: Texans legend J.J. Watt, Rockets icon Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Dash standouts Jane Campbell and Yazmeen Ryan, and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough — a grouping spanning from the pitch to the stars.
The evening also underscored Rice’s place in this global moment as the only higher education institution designated an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. “We’re honored to host this event and to welcome the world to our wonderful city for this historic moment,” President Reginald DesRoches told the crowd. “Houston is ready.” The event affirmed Rice’s commitment to serving as a civic gathering place as Houston prepares to welcome the world, offering a preview of the energy that will soon sweep across the city.
From the Spring 2026 issue of Rice Magazine