The URI Athletics Initiative
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We are stepping up to support our student-athletes in a significant way by investing in championship-caliber people and facilities. We are grateful to Governor McKee, House Speaker Shekarchi, Senate President Ruggerio, and all our elected leaders for their support. Our student-athletes work tirelessly. They represent our University and our state on a national stage. And they are a huge source of pride—not just for URI, but for all of Rhode Island. URI PRESIDENT MARC PARLANGE
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he University of Rhode Island is relentless in its pursuit to build championship-caliber programs. We provide student-athletes with an environment that promotes peak performance, academic achievement, and overall wellness. We provide our community with a rallying point and a reason to share Rhody pride wherever they go. We are launching a multi-year initiative—powered by alumni, friends, and state investment—to ensure sustained success at the conference and national levels across multiple sports. The University has a comprehensive vision for the future of URI Athletics, including renovations to facilities and enhancements to programs. To attain national prominence, attract top recruits, and inspire Rhody pride, we must: • Invest in state-of-the-art facilities • Offer financial resources to attract the best coaches and student-athletes • Provide top-tier health and wellness, academic advising, and strength and conditioning resources
Facilities Upgrades The athletics initiative seeks to fund needed upgrades to multiple facilities, transform the student-athlete experience, and offer enhanced fan experiences and greater community access. Taken together, the planned improvements will build highly competitive programs and increase operational support to address timely priorities. While welcoming support for all programs, the initiative will also target specific parts of the University’s athletics complex, including fields, a track, stands, and more, bringing clear benefits across multiple sports and teams.
Meade Stadium Renovations Fifty-year old Meade Stadium is home to URI football and the recently introduced women’s lacrosse program. Upgrades to the stadium have not kept pace with the success of the University’s nationally ranked football program. Proposed renovations include a new grandstand and press box on the east side of the stadium that will significantly improve accessibility and the fan experience. The renovation will also replace outdated restrooms and incorporate new concession stands and locker room spaces.
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Upgrades to Meade Stadium will be a gamechanger for our program. It will demonstrate the University’s commitment to football to both current student-athletes and recruits. This investment will help the program routinely compete for conference championships and playoff berths.
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HEAD COACH JIM FLEMING
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
• In 1973, the Rams traveled to Germany where they were the first American college football team to play a game in Europe. • Meade Stadium was built on the same field that the Rams have been playing on since 1928. • Fourteen Rams have been NFL draft picks.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
• Men’s track and field boasts 26 titles overall. • Two women’s track and field athletes are among 17 nominees from the Atlantic 10 for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award in 2023. • Men’s track and field have won six consecutive conference titles.
Track Facilities URI track and field teams have been among the best in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The men’s program has won three consecutive outdoor A-10 championships. The women have won six New England titles. The success has come despite the absence of outdoor track and field facilities at which to practice or host competitions. The new track will support the success of those programs and will enable the University to host meets and championship competitions for URI teams as well as for high school and community programs. The facility also will be available to the public for recreational use.
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We are excited to build a new outdoor track and field facility at URI. This will enable our student-athletes to train and compete at the highest level and enhance their student-athlete experience. HEAD COACH LAURIE FEIT-MELNICK
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Baseball Field Enhancements Enhancements to the baseball field will include replacement of the 13-year-old artificial turf, as well as the possibility of additional fan amenities, including concession stands. While the team has earned a spot in the A-10 championship tournament for three consecutive years, URI cannot host championship games without making upgrades to the facility.
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Renovating Bill Beck Field isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a game-changer for our program. It’s not just about the surface, it’s about the foundation we’re laying for our players’ success. This transformation isn’t merely cosmetic, it’s a statement of our commitment to cultivating champions and creating an atmosphere where excellence becomes the norm. HEAD COACH RAPHAEL CERRATO
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HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
• The team has maintained a winning conference record for all but one season in the last 10 years. • URI baseball boasts five MLB draft picks since 2012. • URI’s first baseball team formed in 1892, making it the first athletics team in URI history.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
• 14 Rams earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2023. • The team maintained a 3.46 grade point average for the 2022– 2023 school year. • Head Coach Whitney Goldstein and Assistant Coach Tori Constantin are granddaughters of Red Sox Hall of Famers Don Zimmer and Haywood Sullivan, respectively.
Softball Complex Renovations The softball team experienced a breakout season last spring with its first postseason victory in more than 20 years. However, similar to the baseball and track programs, facility limitations prevent URI from hosting certain championship competitions. Proposed renovations to the softball complex include dugout replacements and turf and fence installation.
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Coming off a great 2023 season with many major program highlights, we are working hard to bring our program to championship heights on the field. While we work to continue this standard, having a championship-level facility where we can host postseason games is critical to our success and future recruiting.
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HEAD COACH WHITNEY GOLDSTEIN
Soccer Complex Renovations While the playing surface at the URI soccer complex is among the best in the region, the facility lacks other key components, including a working press box and adequate team bench areas. Fan amenities, including enhanced seating and concession and restroom areas are also proposed as part of the overall project.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
• Men’s soccer have won eight A-10 Championship titles, the most of any team in the entire conference. • Two players have played in the FIFA World Cup, one for Jamaica and one for the United States. • The URI Soccer Complex has hosted 10 different Atlantic 10 championship tournaments.
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The support of friends, family, and fans is vital to the success of our team. With the ability to renovate our soccer facilities, the fan experience as well as the team experience will be vastly improved. HEAD COACH GARETH ELLIOTT
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Top-Tier Resources for Top-Tier Programs URI Athletics cultivates the traits that give our student-athletes a competitive advantage in any field and in their lives after college. The entire University benefits from winning programs, as national media exposure generates publicity and interest in URI.
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Your gift can transform these facilities in a way that will inspire student-athletes and send a clear message about our championship ambitions. By working together, we can elevate the University and the entire URI community through a shared sense of pride in fielding winning teams and shaping future leaders.
Our student-athletes work incredibly hard to meet their academic and athletic goals and to represent URI. We need facilities that stand out among our peers to give every student-athlete the best chance to succeed and to allow our coaches to recruit top talent. I know the passion is there from our alumni, fans, and friends—we now have a unique chance to work together to make big things happen. DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS THORR BJORN
To support the programs and upgrades outlined in these pages or to discuss your area of interest in URI Athletics, contact us at foundation@uri.edu or 401.874.7900.
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Rhody! Rhody! Rhody!
Rams! Rams! Rams!
THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
foundation & alumni engagement
79 Upper College Road | Kingston, RI 02881 | campaign.uri.edu