Brothers among Whitworth hall inductees

As part of today’s homecoming events at Whitworth College, the Pirates athletic department and Crimson Club will induct five new members – one team and four individuals – into the Heritage Gallery Hall of Fame.

The honorees include the Bucs’ 1996 men’s swimming team and four brothers – Jeff, Jerry, Brian and the late Brent Rice – who were instrumental in putting Whitworth’s swimming program in the national spotlight.

The 1996 team, whose 13 members included Jeff and Jerry Rice, finished second in the NAIA Swimming and Diving Championships in San Antonio, Texas. Jeff Rice won the first of his back-to-back 200-yard individual medley titles that year and teamed with his brother Jerry to help win the 400-yard freestyle relay.

Brian Rice (2000) and Brent Rice (2002), who was killed in an automobile accident in May of 2004, were multiple-time All-Americans for the Pirates.

Induction ceremonies will take place in Whitworth’s Hixon Union Building prior to this afternoon’s 12:30 football game against La Verne College and are open to the public.

Steve Bergum