Cypress Creek High School Alumnus Jon Warren Inducted into Rice Athletics Hall of Fame
Jon Warren’s journey from Cypress Creek High School to becoming a decorated collegiate coach and athlete has now been cemented in history. On June 23, Rice University announced that Warren, a 1983 Cy Creek graduate and the current head coach of its men’s track and field program, has been inducted into the 41st Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.
Reflecting on the honor, Warren admitted he hadn’t expected such recognition: “Being selected to become a member of the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame is a very unexpected honor, one that I did not foresee happening,” he said.
Warren’s connection to Rice began as a student-athlete in the 1980s, where he quickly made an impact on the track. He set school records in the indoor mile and the 3,000-meter run, while also qualifying for the NCAA Championships three times. His 1987 cross country squad placed 19th nationally, a highlight of his collegiate running career.
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He noted that his path at Rice began simply as a student with no idea he would still be there four decades later:
“When I left Cy Creek in 1983 to attend and compete at Rice, I had no intention of still being here four decades later,” Warren said.
After graduating in 1988, Warren extended his athletic career beyond college, achieving personal bests in marathons and middle-distance events. In 1994, he became the only American to run both a sub-4-minute mile and a sub-2:20 marathon in the same year—a feat that placed him in elite company. His competitive journey included three appearances at the U.S. Olympic Trials and representing Team USA at the 1997 World Championships.
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When Warren returned to Rice in 2001 as head coach, he began shaping a new generation of athletes, developing 49 All-Americans and 17 Academic All-Americans. His coaching career has been recognized with four conference coach of the year awards. Looking back, Warren credited Rice for its role in his life and career: “I cannot thank Rice enough for what it has provided me both as an athlete and as a coach,” he said.
Warren emphasized how special it feels to join the ranks of Rice Athletics Hall of Fame inductees: “I am greatly honored and feel tremendously privileged to join so many great athletes in the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.”
For Cypress Creek alumni, Warren’s achievements are a testament to the potential rooted in local schools and the supportive athletic community of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. His induction into the Hall of Fame is not only a personal milestone but also a celebration for Cypress residents who value the success stories of homegrown talent.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local sports highlights and community features from Cypress and beyond.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
