CHESTER, Pa. – In celebration of Black History Month, Widener Athletics proudly recognizes Hall of Famer Wally Rice, a cornerstone of the Pride men's basketball program whose legacy helped shape its rise to national prominence.

Rice began his collegiate career as an unheralded recruit from Philadelphia but quickly proved to be a transformative figure. With freshmen ineligible for varsity competition at the time, he led Widener's freshman squad to a perfect 20–0 season, setting the tone for what was to come.

Upon joining the varsity roster under head coach C. Alan Rowe, Rice earned all-conference and all-small college first team honors in each of his three seasons. As a senior, he became the program's first All-American and was named Conference Player of the Year after guiding Widener to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in what was then known as the College Division.

Rice concluded his career as the school's all-time leading scorer at the time with 1,493 in just three varsity seasons, cementing his place among the program's all-time greats. His impact was further recognized when he was drafted by both the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers, and later inducted into the Widener Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. He was also honored as one of eight former Widener players named to the Middle Atlantic Conference All-Century Team.

Following his basketball career, Rice built a successful career in retail management and raised five children, continuing a legacy of leadership and dedication off the court, including one child who graduated from Widener in 2009.

As Widener Athletics' second Black History Month spotlight, Wally Rice's story stands as a testament to perseverance, excellence, and the enduring impact of Black student-athletes in shaping the Pride tradition.