Rhody hoops, arena, fans

[schmofstra]

Whew, I just got back from a four-day weekend in Mystic, Conn. This was all Momma Schmofstra's idea, of course -- seaport, tall ships, quaint shops, historic inns, lovely cafes, aquarium, etc.

Papa Schmofstra didn't expect to do much other than carry shopping bags and maybe quaff a few Cottrell ales, but something made him look at the sports skeds before the trip.

Xavier at Rhode Island hoops!

So Papa groveled to Momma and asked, um, could he choose one activity on the trip -- an activity that only takes two hours and is indoors! She said yes, so off to Kingston we went on Monday night.

You get to Rhode Island's basketball arena, and the first thing that puzzles you is you're driving into the arena parking lot with very little delay and NO ONE is stopping you to take your money. FREE PARKING! And plenty of it, very short walking distance from the door.

The next thing I couldn't believe. When you walk to the arena from your car, you come to the South Gate. I didn't immediately see the Will Call window, so I just went up to a regular ticket window and asked where it is. The guy said, "Oh, sorry, Will Call is around the other side of the arena at the North Gate." We say, oh geez, and we start to walk away, and the guy behind the glass says, "Wait, no, just come right in, and SOMEONE WILL BRING YOUR TICKETS TO YOU." Just like two minutes later, a lovely coed shows up with our tickets and apologizes for taking so long!

Great arena. Must be pretty new. BIG concourses. Surprising variety of food -- not just foot-longs and pizza slabs. They actually have roast beef sandwiches and lemonade stands, etc.

All 8,000 seats are seat-back chairs. TONS OF LEG ROOM. Looked like plenty of men's and women's restrooms, even for this sell-out crowd. VERY POLITE AND FRIENDLY ARENA STAFF.

The Rhody students were BONKERS for almost the entire game, in three different large sections at floor level. It was also the annual Pink-Out night, to benefit a breast cancer charity. Somebody gave us a Rams cheek sticker and a pink pom-pom. GREAT COLLEGE BASKETBALL ATMOSPHERE.

Friends, that arena is a tremendous arena. It's like a mini version of a major-league arena. I can't imagine that there's a better on-campus hoops arena in the country.

The Rhodettes (or is it Ram-ettes?) dancers weren't too shabby either!xthumbsupx

Only problem is it would probably be good if there were one more artery out of the parking lot. But, hey, I bet the Rhody fans wouldn't have minded sitting in that traffic jam if the Rams had sunk a few more free throws in the final minute, eh?xsmiley_wix

I congratulate our Rhody friends on this accomplishment. So, enlighten us, how did you get your university to pony up for such a nice arena?xcoffeex

[furman94]

Sounds like you had a good time!

[Cobblestone]

Whew, I just got back from a four-day weekend in Mystic, Conn. This was all Momma Schmofstra's idea, of course -- seaport, tall ships, quaint shops, historic inns, lovely cafes, aquarium, etc.

Papa Schmofstra didn't expect to do much other than carry shopping bags and maybe quaff a few Cottrell ales, but something made him look at the sports skeds before the trip.

Xavier at Rhode Island hoops!

So Papa groveled to Momma and asked, um, could he choose one activity on the trip -- an activity that only takes two hours and is indoors! She said yes, so off to Kingston we went on Monday night.

You get to Rhode Island's basketball arena, and the first thing that puzzles you is you're driving into the arena parking lot with very little delay and NO ONE is stopping you to take your money. FREE PARKING! And plenty of it, very short walking distance from the door.

The next thing I couldn't believe. When you walk to the arena from your car, you come to the South Gate. I didn't immediately see the Will Call window, so I just went up to a regular ticket window and asked where it is. The guy said, "Oh, sorry, Will Call is around the other side of the arena at the North Gate." We say, oh geez, and we start to walk away, and the guy behind the glass says, "Wait, no, just come right in, and SOMEONE WILL BRING YOUR TICKETS TO YOU." Just like two minutes later, a lovely coed shows up with our tickets and apologizes for taking so long!

Great arena. Must be pretty new. BIG concourses. Surprising variety of food -- not just foot-longs and pizza slabs. They actually have roast beef sandwiches and lemonade stands, etc.

All 8,000 seats are seat-back chairs. TONS OF LEG ROOM. Looked like plenty of men's and women's restrooms, even for this sell-out crowd. VERY POLITE AND FRIENDLY ARENA STAFF.

The Rhody students were BONKERS for almost the entire game, in three different large sections at floor level. It was also the annual Pink-Out night, to benefit a breast cancer charity. Somebody gave us a Rams cheek sticker and a pink pom-pom. GREAT COLLEGE BASKETBALL ATMOSPHERE.

Friends, that arena is a tremendous arena. It's like a mini version of a major-league arena. I can't imagine that there's a better on-campus hoops arena in the country.

The Rhodettes (or is it Ram-ettes?) dancers weren't too shabby either!xthumbsupx

Only problem is it would probably be good if there were one more artery out of the parking lot. But, hey, I bet the Rhody fans wouldn't have minded sitting in that traffic jam if the Rams can sunk a few more free throws in the final minute, eh?xsmiley_wix

I congratulate our Rhody friends on this accomplishment. So, enlighten us, how did you get your university to pony up for such a nice arena?xcoffeex

Glad you enjoyed the Ryan Center. Yes the Ramettes are hotties. I was at that same game and it was a great one, even though we lost we gave a VERY GOOD Xavier team all they could handle.

One thing I also like about the Ryan Center (RC) is the amount of leg room. Of all the sports venues I've ever been to this place has the best amount of room for stretching your legs. Glad the staff treated you well and yes the RC does have a great staff.

It was dark so you probably didn't notice the doors from the RC that lead right into the new stands we have in our football stadium. That works out great during the football season, just walk up the stairs and into the RC and you can be eating one of those roast beef sandwiches and drinking a Del's Lemonade at halftime. Since we have ceiling to floor windows you could even stay inside and watch the rest of the game if you want.

As for the financing, it was a combination of private donations (a good amount from Tom Ryan) the rest from state appropriations and revenue bonds. The fact that our Governor at the time (Lincoln Almond) was a URI alumnus and a HUGE URI basketball fan helped as well.

Here again, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and we URI grads are proud of the Ryan Center. I was in Mystic this past weekend as well. Mystic Village is a cool place.Women love it but there's a store for every taste. Plus you don't have the hustle and bustle of a shopping mall; nice relaxed atmosphere.

Cottrell Ale... xthumbsupx

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

Cottrell Ale... xthumbsupx

Since I know you love Tuckerman's Pale Ale, I'm not at all surprised you like the Old Yankee Ale!! Good stuff!!!!! Note to self, make sure the cooler has a few on a certain September Saturday! ;)

[Cobblestone]

Since I know you love Tuckerman's Pale Ale, I'm not at all surprised you like the Old Yankee Ale!! Good stuff!!!!! Note to self, make sure the cooler has a few on a certain September Saturday! ;)

As long as yours has Tuckerman's on that same Saturday. xsmiley_wix

[andy7171]

So, enlighten us, how did you get your university to pony up for such a nice arena?

All it takes is a good university president and AD. Towson got two a couple years ago and since Unitas Stadium opening and the combination of a big time media ad campaign football attendance has doubled. After this basketball season our Towson Center is getting completely redone. Student enrollment is closing in on 20K.
Towson and Hofstra are in the same boat as far as being considered a little fish in a big pond as far as college athletics is concerned. But with the recent events in Towson's history, I have to believe, "If you build it they will come" xthumbsupx

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

As long as yours has Tuckerman's on that same Saturday. xsmiley_wix

Not to worry, we read the good traits-bad traits thread!! ;) xwhistlex xlolx xlolx

[schmofstra]

Tonight the ESPN announcers said, "Great atmosphere here at Rhode Island!" The students section looked nutty again. Nice to see that place on national TV.

Another loss for the Rams, however. They are slipping down to bubble team status -- and may be hanging on by a thread.

[Col Hogan]

Tonight the ESPN announcers said, "Great atmosphere here at Rhode Island!" The students section looked nutty again. Nice to see that place on national TV.

Another loss for the Rams, however. They are slipping down to bubble team status -- and may be hanging on by a thread.

This was one win for my school that I wish could be shared with URI...since I truely want to see them make the NCAAs (as I want to see UMass do it too...)

[Cobblestone]

This was one win for my school that I wish could be shared with URI...since I truely want to see them make the NCAAs (as I want to see UMass do it too...)

sharing is nice. xbawlingx

[minuteman65]

URI fans travel pretty well, too (well, at least the 2-ish hours to Amherst). I had the misfortune of getting to the game right before the start, and I got stuck sitting right in front of the URI section. I had to hand it to them - they were loud and enthusiastic and on their feet for the entire game (even though we won ;) ).

[Cobblestone]

URI fans travel pretty well, too (well, at least the 2-ish hours to Amherst). I had the misfortune of getting to the game right before the start, and I got stuck sitting right in front of the URI section. I had to hand it to them - they were loud and enthusiastic and on their feet for the entire game (even though we won ;) ).

Yes we do, although it's usually pretty much the same group. We had 4 buses full of fans when we made the trip to Army this past September. For basketball we had a sold out bus for the Fordham game a few weeks ago. I didn't attend the Syracuse game but I heard we had a good amount of travelers for that game as well.

God bless the Rhody faithful.