Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Rice Stadium.
The Marching Owl Band is directed by
Chuck Throckmorton, who is assisted by:
drum major Julia "Skay-vehl",
drum minor Jamie "Sam-ess",
and executive producer Kim Bennett.
I am your announcer: Alberto Gonzales.

Your attention, please.

This summer, the Rice community lost long-time member J. Fred Duckett, known across Houston for his booming voice and enthusiasm for sports. As a student at the Rice Institute and member of Wiess College, J. Fred participated in track and football. After graduating in nineteen fifty-five, you could find him behind the public address systems of the Houston Marathon, the Texas Relays, and the Houston Astros – to name a few. But many of us remember him best as the voice of Rice Athletics. Here at Rice Stadium, and wherever the spirit of J. Fred may be, it's a beautiful day for outdoor football.

Please join us in a moment of silence.

Thank you. And now The MOB presents Rice's Honor.

Ladies and gentlemen, as Americans we are blessed, above all, with freedom. It is important for us to recognize and thank the men and women of the armed forces who defend our freedoms. We invite all current and former members of the military to please stand as we play the song representing your branch of service, so that we may honor you and your colleagues in arms.

- No one comes close: The Air Force
- This we'll defend: The Army
- The shield of freedom: The Coast Guard
- Honor, courage, commitment: The Navy
- The few, the proud: The Marines

Football fans of all ages, please stand as one nation and remove your hats for the presentation of the colors by the Rice Navy R-O-T-C — as The MOB plays our national anthem.

Ladies and gentlemen, the two-thousand seven Marching Owl Band. We're back! Specifically, we sit behind a big, conference-mandated empty space. You can't miss it, but the student section certainly does.