Projo College Hoops

Whoever re-designed URI's beloved mascot, Rhody, should take, not a bow, but the next train out of Kingston.

The "new" Rhody made his debut Wednesday night at the Ryan Center in URI's thrilling, 93-91, overtime win over Dayton. While the basketball Rams looked terrific, the new mascot looked, well, like a child's plush, stuffed animal on steroids. Worse, he looked more like a lion, with horns, than a Ram. And, instead of white, he was tawny in color. All in all, not a good look, at all.

Any chance we can have the "real" Rhody back for next weekend's game with UMass?

There was one other disappointing aspect to what was an exciting game with a thrilling finish -- the Ryan Center wasn't sold out.

Despite distributing 2,000 free tickets to students -- who were highly vocal and enthusiastic all night -- attendance was just over 7,200 in a building that seats more than 7.600.

It was almost full. And it sounded as if there were 14,000 people there. But the fact remains that, with a hot team -- 8 wins in their last 9 A-10 games coming in -- battling for the league lead, and with so many URI alumni within easy driving distance of Kingston, it's a shame that there isn't sufficient interest in the state university's basketball team to pack the place.

A place that, as anyone who's ever seen a game there knows, is one of the best on-campus venues in all of college basketball.

One more thing while we're at it . . .
It would be nice to hear more of the school band, and less of canned music blaring over the speaker system, during the -- as is always the case these days -- all-too-frequent breaks in the action.

 Tags  Rhody Ram URI

Comments

J said:

You're right. The new mascot is ATROCIOUS!

Link | March 2, 2009 9:07 AM
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Brian said:

For once I completely agree with you Jim!

I was at the Dayton game wednesday and was disappointed at the alumni for the lack of a sellout in such a big game.

The blaring music over the PA during every break was obnoxious.

When I first saw the new ram the first thing I said was, "It looks like a lion with horns." Granted, the floppy horns on the old ram were not good but the new ram is worse.

Link | March 2, 2009 9:16 AM
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Audrey said:

On behalf of our URI students who love to play and add to the excitement of the game, thanks for noticing what they have to offer. I say, "They love to play. They are there to play and support the team. Let them play."

Link | March 4, 2009 11:51 AM
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buy wow gold said:

Yes, I'm very disappointed with the new look and as an avid fan of the team, I would suggest that they better create a new concept that is better with the current design if they don't want to hear some more rants.

Link | April 20, 2009 3:14 AM
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metin2 yang said:

Yes, I'm very disappointed with the new look and as an avid fan of the team too

Link | November 16, 2009 2:08 AM
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