New Golf Scholarship Honors Castañeda

James Castañeda may have retired from coaching the Owls golf team, but his legacy will continue. Last fall, Rice University established the James Castañeda Golf Scholarship to honor the former coach and current professor of Hispanic and classical studies.
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“Many of Jim’s students benefited from his tutelage at Rice, and now this scholarship will forever link him with Rice University student–athletes,” says Bobby May, director of athletics.

Castañeda coached the Owls golf team for 15 years, retiring from that position in 1998. He also served as freshman baseball coach and assistant varsity baseball coach. A member of the faculty for 41 years, he has been Rice’s NCAA faculty representative for 28 years. He serves on the Western Athletic Conference’s Executive Committee and on the NCAA as chair of the Academics Eligibility Compliance Cabinet and chairman of the Initial Eligibility Committee.

Castañeda, a Brooklyn, New York, native, received his bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Drew University. After a brief stint in the farm system of the Baltimore Orioles, he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from Yale University. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1986, he was given the Honorary “R” Award for dedication and service to Rice athletics, and in May 2000, he received the Association of Rice Alumni’s Meritorious Service Award. He has served as the president of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese and has been decorated by King Juan Carlos of Spain.

“This scholarship will provide an ongoing tie to the golf program for me,” Castañeda says, “and I will be exceedingly proud to have my name associated with each Rice golfer named to receive the award.”

Donations to the golf scholarship can be made through Scott Joyner, director of development for athletics, at 713-348-4622 or Rice University, Office of Development–MS 81, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892.