Rice Athletics Improves University Printing with Managed Print Services

Client Overview: Supporting Division I Athletics with Managed Print Expertise 

Rice University, located in the heart of Houston, Texas, is home to a Division I athletics program competing in the American Athletic Conference. The university fields more than a dozen varsity teams and hosts numerous events throughout each season.

Danny Madden, General Manager of Rice Sports Properties, helps oversee strategic partnerships for Rice Athletics. Together, Rice Athletics and Danny’s parent company, Learfield, are responsible for coordinating logistics, compliance, media, and marketing across a wide variety of programs. This creates a high-volume print environment where operational efficiency is essential. 

Rice Athletics Challenges 

Before partnering with DOCUmation, Rice Athletics struggled with outdated print devices and fragmented workflows. Delays in producing critical materials—like game programs or media credentials—disrupted internal operations and detracted from the overall fan and partner experience. 

The department depends on timely, high-quality printing for a wide range of essential documents, including:

• Game-day programs, promotional materials, and event flyers
• Recruiting packets and athlete profiles
• Practice schedules and team travel documents
• Compliance reports and sponsor deliverables
• Media credentials and guides

Any breakdown in this process affected not only the staff but also athletes, media partners, sponsors, and fans—underscoring the need for a more reliable and responsive solution.

“We’re not [professional] printers,” Danny explained. “When we send something off to print, all we want to do is be able to go and pick up what we printed. We don’t want to deal with all the extra things that can come along with printing.”
After completing an assessment (or BTA) of the athletics department’s printing infrastructure, DOCUmation implemented a fully managed print solution customized for the needs of a high-traffic athletics department. Key components included: 

The DOCUmation Solution: Copier Leasing, Print Tracking & Wireless Access 

• A full refresh of outdated devices with more than 15 leased printers and copiers strategically placed across offices, facilities, and press operations 

• Optimized equipment to better meet departmental needs, workflow volume, and security requirements 

• Easy-to-use supplies portal with fast shipping for toner and materials 

• Improved workflows to streamline team-specific document production 

By proactively managing equipment, simplifying supply ordering, and providing real-time tracking tools, DOCUmation eliminated bottlenecks and gave Rice Athletics more control over their print environment. 

“DOCUmation absolutely offered the easiest solution,” Danny said. “They’ve set a really high bar of quality—not just with the equipment, but with how well it’s maintained and supported. It’s always working for us.” 

Partnership Impact: Local Copier Dealer, Big Operational Gains 

Upon installation, improvements were noticed day one. The department now prints high-volume materials in-house without delay, reducing dependency on third-party vendors and avoiding last-minute scrambles. Game-day programs are delivered on time. Recruiting materials are available when needed. Administrative support is no longer tending to toner replacements, and the IT team is no longer burdened with printer maintenance. 

“Rice Athletics runs at an incredibly fast pace, and our goal has always been to match that speed with reliable, responsive support,” said Jordan Abshier, VP of DOCUmation Houston. “This partnership is a great example of how local service, backed by strong technology, can make a real impact on operations.” 

Because the devices are leased, Rice Athletics also benefits from the flexibility to adapt their contract and equipment fleet as their needs evolve. As the program grows, they can scale up or shift device placements without being locked into outdated hardware. 

DOCUmation’s support team checks in regularly to ensure the system continues to meet evolving needs. Whether it’s scaling up ahead of tournament season or adding access for new staff, the solution grows with the department. 

“Our goal with them is not just to be a great client,” Danny added, “but also to spread the word to our own clients—hopefully getting DOCUmation into some of their businesses, too.” 

Results at a Glance

• Reduction in downtime across all print devices.
• Faster turnaround for game-day and event materials
• Increased in-house production of recruiting and sponsor collateral
• Eliminated IT requests to fix printers and supplies
• Wireless printing access across all leased devices
• Improved satisfaction across internal teams and external partners

With DOCUmation, Rice Athletics no longer worries about whether their printers will perform. Staff can rely on print workflows that are fast, flexible, and fully supported—so they can stay focused on supporting their teams and fans. 

To learn more about DOCUmation and managed services in Houston, visit www.mation.com