The University of Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island 130 2008-09 Univers i t y o f R h o d e I s l a n d M e n s B a s ke t b a l l

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dr. robert l. carothers university of rhode island president b.a, Edinboro, 1965 Ph.d, Kent state, 1969 j.d., mcdowell school of law, akron, 1980 Since Robert L. Carothers moved to Rhode Island from Minnesota in 1991 to become the 10th president of the University of Rhode Island, he has initiated a series of progressive changes to the University s structure, infrastructure, and curriculum. During his tenure, the University has increased enrollment of the best and brightest students in the state and region, improved its physical campus environment, increased the diversity among students, faculty and staff, and enhanced its levels of alumni, corporate, and state support. He has also forged links with universities and agencies around the world to foster collaborations in the academic, business and public policy arenas. For all of his achievements at URI and his career as an innovator in higher education, the president received the 2008 Eleanor M. McMahon Award for Lifetime Achievement from The New England Board of Higher Education. In April 2007, President Carothers began his three-year term as chairman of the Council of Presidents of the Global U8 Consortium, a group of eight universities from around the world formed to address emerging issues confronting the global community. Established in 2003, the Global U8 Consortium merges expertise from the eight member institutions to develop a joint education system, conduct collaborative research, and build administrative capacity on such topics as global logistics, marine affairs, advanced technologies and business administration. In addition to URI, Consortium members are Inha University (Korea), the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia), Xiamen University (China), Meiji University (Japan), University of Le Havre (France), University of Haifa (Israel), and University of Washington. Building the University s endowment has also been a priority. When he arrived in Kingston, the University s endowment was $12 million and now endowment funds total $95 million, due in great measure to the president s commitment to a comprehensive development strategy that put in place staff and resources to raise funds from alumni, friends of the University, corporations and foundations. In 1992, the president launched the University s first capital campaign with a goal of $50 million. When the campaign ended, it had raised $15 million more than the goal. Now, the University is in the midst of its second comprehensive campaign, which has its public kickoff in October. Already, about half of the $100 million goal has been raised during the leadership gift phase. A direct benefit of the president s focus on building private giving capacity has been an invigorated and more actively engaged alumni. President Carothers determination to transform the University has led to positive national recognition for URI in the academic, student affairs, outreach, and athletic arenas. The Princeton Review named the University a college with a conscience in the spring of 2005. This accomplishment is a direct result of President Carothers efforts to establish a University that links classroom learning to community service. URI was featured in The Princeton Review s Colleges With A Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement (Random House), which was published in June 2005. Such a designation is related to President Carothers new vision for student education that shifts students from being passive listeners to active learners and that develops in the students a concern for their neighbor, whether across the street or across an ocean, as a top priority of URI s curriculum and Student Life programs. This new culture includes clearly defined expectations that echo Dr. Carothers no tolerance policy toward violence and drug and alcohol abuse. Most recently, President Carothers was selected the 2007 recipient of the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Award for his efforts to reduce student alcohol abuse. Presented by Connie and Howard Clery, co-founders of Security On Campus, Inc., the award honors those who have taken extraordinary actions to make students safe. He has been a national leader in developing learning communities, small cohorts of students in specific majors who are able to collaborate on their coursework and research. This year, 100 percent of the nearly 3,200 freshmen (the largest freshman class in URI s 115-year history) are in learning communities and 40 percent are in living-learning communities, students who share academic disciplines and live in common residence hall space. Overall, total enrollment has grown from 14,319 in 1998 to 15,395 in 2007. And thanks to President Carothers, URI is in demand. More than 14,000 students applied to URI for the 2007-2008 academic year, a 6 percent increase over last year. In concert with his vision, he initiated a Centennial Scholarship program to attract high-achieving students to URI and strengthened programs to assist them once enrolled at the University. The Centennial program rewards students strictly on academic accomplishments. The program now disburses more than $6 million annually. As a result, the average SAT score for incoming freshman has risen nearly 160 points since 1991. Dr. Carothers has been a pioneer among public universities in providing talented students with the tools to win prestigious awards, opening an Honors Scholarship Office in 1996. In March 2005, the University was named a 2004 Truman Foundation Honor Institution, the first public university in New England to receive the honor and one of three selected nationally. URI, which has had 12 Truman Scholarship winners, was selected for encouraging talented students to pursue careers in public service and for helping students win Truman Scholarships, including three in the past five years. In addition to the Truman awards, URI students have won a variety of national scholarships including the Udall, Goldwater, National Security Education Fellowships, the Madison, and the Fulbright. A URI student-athlete also became the first in University history to earn an NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship in early 2005. A recent alumna became the University s first Rhodes Scholar, the first woman at a four-year public institution in New England to earn the coveted honor. While building a stronger student body, President Carothers has also been building the University s physical plant. Over a 10-year period, he has overseen more than $200 million in new construction and renovation and rehabilitation of existing structures. Among the newest additions to campus are the $4.7 million Alumni Center, the transformed home of the business college, Ballentine Hall, $10.9 million; Green Hall, $6.25 million; the Ryan Center, $54 million and the Boss Arena, $12 million. Currently, the University has a wide-ranging capital improvement program totaling $290 million in active projects. During the spring of 2005, Dr. Carothers helped launch $120 million in projects for a new dining hall, new suite- and apartment-style undergraduate housing, residence hall renovations and 1,483 new parking spaces for students. The three new residence halls and new dining hall opened officially in August 2007 to rave reviews from students, parents and staff. All four facilities are nationally certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Certification recognizes performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. In addition, construction on the $60 million Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences is well under way, and design is commencing for the new $75 million home for the College of Pharmacy. The two facilities will help position the state as a leader in biomedical and biotechnical research and economic development. The tremendous growth in the strength and number of the student body, the major overhaul and expansion of academic, athletic and studentcentered facilities, and a growing research enterprise have all come as state support for URI s operating budget continues to wane. Over the past seven years, URI has received a net reduction in state support for operations. Still, with President Carothers leadership, the University has found innovative ways to be a national leader in critical areas of higher education. While leading the physical transformation of the campus, he has continued to pay close attention to the status of women and minorities, issues surrounding substance abuse and the development of future leaders in higher education. Dr. Carothers established the first President s Commission on the Status of Women in December 1999, and implemented a series of steps intended to advance the progress of women at the University of Rhode island. In 2002, he completed three years of service on the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism s Committee on Campus Drinking, which culminated with the publication of a research agenda for the nation. He was one of only six university presidents to serve on the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Prevention Presidential Leadership Group. Dr. Carothers has also been an outspoken advocate of Rhode Island legislation that lowered the legal threshold for drunk driving to.08 percent of blood alcohol. President Carothers is also a mentor to many administrators who aspire to top jobs in higher education. In February 2005, more than 1,000 people gave Dr. Carothers a standing ovation at the annual meeting of the American Council on Education, in Washington, D.C. The applause was prompted by the presentation of the first Council of Fellows Outstanding Mentor Award to President Carothers. Since joining he has mentored nine Fellows, tying a longheld record for the most Fellows during the four decades of the program. The URI President shared the honor with University of Delaware President David Roselle. This was not the first time the two men were honored jointly. Last spring, each administrator received the President s Leadership Group Award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for establishing some of the country s most comprehensive alcohol abuse programs on their campuses. President Carothers is active on the boards of many civic and professional organizations, including the Leadership Council of the American Council on Education, Bradley Hospital, Citizens Bank, The National Conference for Community and Justice, Grow Smart Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council. Dr. Carothers with URI Hall of Famer Steve Chubin 66 at the 100th Anniversary Team Celebration during the 2006-07 season 1 3 2 2 0 0 8-0 9 U n i v e r s i t y o f R h o d e I s l a n d M e n s B a s k e t b a l l

thorr bjorn university of rhode island director of athletics b.a., massachusetts, 1990 m.ed., massachusetts, 1995 In late July, 2007, Thorr Bjorn became the 11th Director of Athletics in University of Rhode Island history. Since that day, he has worked tirelessly to instill a new championship culture in Kingston. We want to be champions in the three most important areas: in competition, in the classroom, and in the community, Bjorn said. Our athletics department is wholly committed to making the necessary changes in order to achieve a true winning attitude. In competition, Rhode Island s 2007-08 athletics programs made great strides toward Bjorn s championship culture. The men s track & field program captured its second consecutive - and seventh in the last eight years - Atlantic 10 outdoor championship team title. The rowing program won its first-ever A- 10 championship, ending Massachusetts 12-year run. In December, 2007, Bjorn made another strong commitment to winning when he hired former URI All-American Darren Rizzi as head football coach. Rizzi, who returned to his alma mater after a successful stint at Rutgers, said at his press conference: Thorr Bjorn s energy, enthusiasm, vision, goals, and his passion for this University is the number one reason why I m standing here today. In the classroom, 204 Rhode Island student-athletes earned a 3.30 grade-point average or better and were named to the Dean s List. An additional 157 Rhody student-athletes earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 Commissioner s Honor Roll for the 2007 Fall semester. Damian Gresko earned his second consecutive CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American honor, posting a 3.98 grade-point average as a double major in finance and accounting. It is a true point of pride to have over 200 University of Rhode Island student-athletes earn a spot on the Dean s List, said Bjorn. To have so many of our student-athletes performing on and off the field of competition is a tribute to the hard work of so many involved with Rhode Island Athletics. Many of the Rams athletic programs and student-athletes have made an impact in the community. Several teams participated in a National Reading Week promotion this past April, traveling to local elementary schools to read and interact with the students. Additionally, URI athletics sponsored its second annual Pink Out during a nationally televised men s basketball game, which raised close to $10,000 for a local breast cancer awareness charity. Bjorn s championship attitude is rooted in a philosophy in which everyone in the URI athletics department is a fundraiser and marketer. We need to be tireless in our efforts to bring in external dollars - not just to sustain, but rather to grow all of our programs, Bjorn explained. As we go out into the community, we have the opportunity to `sell URI and our mission to our current and future donors, sponsors and ticket buyers. We have to continue to move forward and become increasingly creative in how we accomplish our goals. In just his first 10 months, Bjorn has overseen donations of close to 1.5 million dollars toward the Student-Athlete Development Center (SADC). Included in that total is a 1 million dollar gift to the baseball program - URI s first-ever seven-digit donation to the athletics department. We want to be champions in the three most important areas: in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. Our athletics department is wholly committed to making the necessary changes in order to achieve a true winning attitude. -- Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn To reach that dollar amount in such a short period of time shows the tremendous passion for URI athletics by our alumni and friends, he added. We expect that this is just the beginning, as we work to raise $3.5 million for the SADC and another $1.5 million for other important athletic facility upgrades under the umbrella of the University s `Making a Difference capital campaign. A member of the Atlantic 10 television committee, Bjorn is working to improve the local, regional, and national coverage for URI and league teams. Bjorn came to Kingston after spending 15 years at his alma mater - the University of Massachusetts - in a variety of athletic administrative roles. At the time of his hire, Bjorn had entered his fourth year as the senior associate athletic director at UMass, serving as the day-to-day sport supervisor for football and ice hockey, while also overseeing the men s and women s lacrosse programs. He directly supervised the UMass athletic marketing staff, corporate sales - including the UMass Radio Network, coaches shows and signage - and ticket operations. Bjorn also served as liaison between the athletic department and Global Spectrum - the management company for the William D. Mullins Center, home of UMass basketball and hockey. Bjorn played an integral role in UMass department-wide apparel deal with adidas, oversaw all aspects of the funding and installation of a multimillion dollar video scoreboard system in the Mullins Center, and helped to secure funding sources for a new artificial surface at Alumni Stadium - home of the nationally-ranked Minutemen football program. From Sept. 2003-Feb. 2004, Bjorn was the interim athletic director at UMass. In that role, he oversaw all the department, including supervising a senior administrative staff of 10 associate and assistant athletic directors, as well as the head football, men s basketball, and men s ice hockey. During his tenure, he negotiated a contract extension with Don Toot Cahoon, head men s ice hockey coach, and was the athletic department liaison in a viability study on elevating to Division I-A (now BCS ) football status. After a three-year stint as the director of regional sales and marketing for Resorts Sports Network in Portland, Maine, Bjorn returned to UMass in April of 2003 as the Associate AD/External Affairs. At RSN - a company which provides cable systems with programming at ski resorts - he was personally accountable for $1 million in television and web advertising revenue. In his role as Associate AD, Bjorn was responsible for soliciting all radio and television advertising and corporate sponsorship dollars for the athletic department, Mullins Center, and UMass Magazine - a total exceeding $1 million dollars. Under his watch, annual sponsorship revenue increased by over 135 percent. Bjorn also directed the department s retail merchandise program, coordinated advertising campaigns and directed the ticket office. He also established MinuteFan Park, an interactive fan experience at Alumni Stadium. After graduating from UMass and spending six months as an intern in the business office at the University of Connecticut, he returned to his alma mater as assistant athletic director for tickets and game operations in December of 1990, a position he held until being promoted in 1996. A three-year letterwinner for the Minutemen football program, he earned his bachelor s degree in sports management from UMass in 1990, following with a master s degree in higher education from his alma mater in 1995. He met his wife Cyndy at UMass, and the couple has three daughters, twins Stephanie and Robyn, 11 and Rachael, 8. The Bjorn family resides in North Kingstown. Bjorn with his wife, Cyndy, daughters Robyn, Stephanie, and Rachael and Dr. Carothers. 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Athletics Administration Gregg Burke Deputy Director of Athletics Rhode Island native Gregg Burke begins his fifth year at the University of Rhode Island. Most recently, he served in the role of URI's acting and interim director of athletics, from May, 2006-August, 2007. Burke came to the University in September of 2004 as deputy director of athletics. In this role, he served as chief operating officer of the department with special oversight of men's and women's basketball, men's golf, and all external relations of operations. Prior to his arrival in Kingston, Burke had founded his own consulting firm, in 2001, which included client work in golf, event management, media relations, fundraising and business development. Before that, in 1999, Burke joined a group of nationally respected basketball administrators in launching the International Basketball League. As Vice-President of the league, he played an integral role in developing the business plan, marketing organization, and public relations strategy while directing the special events, public relations, corporate sales, licensing, and merchandising staffs. In 1987, Burke was hired at Providence College as assistant director of athletics. He was promoted later to associate athletic director in charge of administrative and external relations efforts where he initiated and developed the corporate partnership program, the campus-wide licensing program, and managed the tickets operations, media relations, marketing, promotions, development, advertising, and licensing staffs. He was responsible for all broadcast contracts, basketball game management, basketball scheduling, and special events. He was named sports information director at Holy Cross in 1982. He went on to engineer the Heisman Trophy campaign of Gordie Lockbaum who is still the only non-division I player to finish in the top five in Heisman Trophy balloting and one of just a handful of athletes to ever finish in the top five twice. Prior to his work at Holy Cross, Burke was the assistant director of sports information at the University of Michigan where he worked with the men's basketball and football programs in 1981 and 1982. He began his career as a graduate assistant in the Boston College Athletics Department in 1980. Burke was the Tournament Manager for the 1989 and 1996 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship in Providence and the 1995 and 2000 NCAA Hockey Championship in Providence. He also served United States Olympic Committee appointments to the 1987 and 1990 Olympic Festivals and to the 1991 Pan American Games. He has served on numerous campus, Big East, and ECAC committees He was selected and trained by the NCAA as a Peer Reviewer in its Athletic Certification program. During his nearly quarter century work with the Academic All-America Awards Program he has held a number of key positions including time as National Chairman (1989-94). He was one of the two founding fathers of the Academic All-America Hall of Fame and still serves as a voting member. He has served on the board of a number of community organizations including Rhode Island Special Olympics, Rhode Island ALS, and the Holy Cross Club of R.I. Along the way he has been honored by a number of organizations for his work in athletics and in the community. He is the recipient of the 2002 Amby Smith Award for Contribution to Sport in Rhode Island, the 2000 Scoop Hudgins Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to College Football, and the 1999 Providence College Sixth Man Award for contribution to Friar Basketball. In 1994 he was honored with the first-ever Lester Jordan Award for service to the Academic All-America Program and the Student-Athlete Ideal. He has earned 10 Best in the Nation Writing and Publication Awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America. Burke graduated from Holy Cross in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He earned a Master of Education from Providence College in 1998. He is married to ABC Sports and ESPN basketball analyst Doris Burke. The couple resides in North Providence with their children Sarah and Matthew. JOHN VANNER Associate Athletics Director John Vanner enters his 31st year at the University of Rhode Island, having worked in the athletics department since 1986. Vanner serves as sport administrator for the football, baseball, and volleyball programs He is a graduate of the University and began working at the school in 1977 as a teacher in the physical education department. In 1986, he replaced URI legend Ernie Calverly as the Associate Director of Athletics overseeing the men's program. He is credited with making several coaching hires that helped bring the University's athletics program to the national level. Vanner's first hire was men's basketball coach Tom Penders, who led the Rams to the NCAA Sweet 16 in his second season in Kingston, bringing basketball back to the national spotlight. He also hired former men's soccer coach Ed Bradley, former baseball coach Frank Leoni, and Hall of Fame golf coach Tom Drennan, who have each both guided their programs to postseason NCAA competition. John lives in Johnston, R.I. with his wife Cynthia (URI Class of '82) and their three children, John, Torrey, and Jessica. SUE BERGEN Associate Athletics Director/SWA Sue Bergen enters her sixth year at the University of Rhode Island, joining the athletics department in April, 2002. In her role as associate AD for business and finance, Bergen is the department's chief financial officer, working with department heads, head coaches, and administrators in preparing the annual budget. She also manages the day-to-day fiscal aspects of the athletics department, including monthly reporting, budgetary forecasts and all expenditures related to the Athletic Department and the Rhode Island Ram Athletic Association (RIRAA). She also prepares several reports for the athletics department, including the NCAA audit and gender equity reports, as well as the Atlantic 10 Conference salary survey and annual report. Bergen is the department's Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) and serves as sport administrator for the men's and women's soccer and softball programs at URI. Prior to joining the Rhody staff, Bergen served as a Financial Analyst III, in the Strategic Planning and Analysis Department for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. She worked with the tribe from 1993-2002. She earned her bachelor's of science degree in accounting and computer information systems from Northern Michigan in 1986. Bergen is is also a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Rhode Island and is a member of AICPA. Bergen lives in Ashaway, R.I. with her husband Tom and her children, John and Jessica. KEVIN McGINNISS Associate Athletics Director Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss is entering his second year as the associate director of athletics for development. McGinniss owns a strong educational and professional background which includes over 25 years of experience as an educator, author, coach, athletics administrator and athlete. In his role at URI, McGinniss heads up all aspects of fundraising for the athletics department with a particular emphasis on the athletics component of URI's $100 million "Making a Difference" capital campaign; raising $5 million for the new Student-Athlete Development Center and other important athletics capital projects. Last fall under his watch, the largest outright gift to URI Athletics was procured; $1million for capital improvements to the baseball facility. McGinniss also serves as the department's liaison to the Rhode Island Rams Athletic Association, URI Foundation and URI Alumni Association. Prior to coming to Kingston, McGinniss served as director of athletics at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. In recognition of his efforts, he was nominated to receive the 2007 National Association of Collegiate Athletics Administrators (NACDA) Division II Athletics Director of the Year Award. From 2001-05, McGinniss served as the director of athletics development at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. He was responsible for coordinating all fundraising and the annual giving program for athletics - including the New Millennium Campaign - a $25 million campaign for a state-of-the-art athletics center. McGinniss' experience in higher education administration also includes serving Southern Connecticut State University as its director of athletics development and director of alumni affairs. He has also served as the director of athletics and recreation at Lehman College, The City University of New York. In addition McGinniss was the director of athletics development and executive director of the Blue & Gray Club at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. A former men's basketball coach, McGinniss' was the head coach at Lehman College and led a program with just eight wins over the previous four years to the CUNYAC North Division title. He also served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, helping lead SCSU to a 20-win season and a postseason berth in 1992. Active in professional organizations both locally and on the national level, McGinniss has served as Vice- Chair for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District I Board of Directors, is a member of the National Association of Athletic Development Directors, National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, National Association of Basketball Coaches Research Committee, and serves on the ECAC Board of Directors and ECAC Marketing Committee. McGinniss earned his bachelor's degree in health, master's degree in physical education/athletics administration and a sixth year professional diploma of advanced graduate studies in educational leadership all from Southern Connecticut State University. He received his doctorate in education from the Teachers College Department of Health and Behavior Studies at Columbia University. Kevin and his wife Amy have a son, Kyle, and daughter, Kelly. 1 3 4 2 0 0 8-0 9 U n i v e r s i t y o f R h o d e I s l a n d M e n s B a s k e t b a l l

Athletics Administration Gina Sperry Associate Athletics Director Gina Sperry begins her first year as associate director of athletics at the University of Rhode Island. She will serve as the sport administrator to the men's and women's cross country and track, rowing, and women's swimming programs. Sperry will also oversee the NCAA/Champs Life Skills Program, serve as an academic liaison with URI Advising Programs for Student-Athlete's while monitoring the academic performance of student-athletes. Sperry will also serve on the following committee's: Student Affairs Diversity Committee, URI President's Commission of the Status of Women, Association for Professional and Academic Women (past president), URI Harassment Committee, and Rhode Island Association of Intercollegiate Athletes for Women (RIAIAW). Prior to her appointment, she was an academic advisor/learning specialist for the men's basketball and men's track & field squads. In addition to her academic work with student-athletes, Sperry also serves as the coordinator for the Rhody Life Skills Program. Prior to her arrival at Rhode Island, Sperry was an academic coordinator and CHAMPS/Life Skills coordinator at Arizona State. While in Tempe, she developed programming to enhance student-athlete welfare in such areas as study skills, career planning, health & wellness, and leadership & character. Her CHAMPS/Life Skills program was honored in 2000 with a Program of Excellence Award by the NCAA Division I Athletic Directors' Association. She served in a similar capacity at the University of New Hampshire prior to her stint at ASU. Sperry moved into academic advising and life skills enhancement following a successful career as a collegiate cross country and track & field coach. She was the head coach of the New Hampshire's women's track & field/cross country team from 1992-99. She was named the 1997 America East Cross Country Coach of the Year. From 1988-92, she was head women's cross country and assistant women's track & field coach at the University of Vermont, twice earning North Atlantic Conference Cross Country Coach of the Years honors while at UVM. Sperry earned her B.S. in physical education (coach specialization) from Eastern Illinois University in 1983. She also earned her M.S. in physical education (adult fitness and cardiac rehabilitation) from EIU in 1984. During her own athletic career, Sperry was a national-class distance runner. She was a National Amateur 10k Champion in 1986 and qualified for the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials in the Marathon. WALTER BOYLE Assistant Athletics Director Walter Boyle begins his 30th year at the University of Rhode Island and seventh as assistant athletics director. In his current role, Boyle handles all aspects of game operations, including its annual budget, hiring and training event staff personnel, and as a liaison between all ancillary agencies (police, fire, etc.) as well as lands & grounds crews. Boyle arrived at URI in 1978 as assistant director of athletics, tickets & promotions, where he handled all aspects of tickets for events as well as special promotions and marketing venues. In 1991, he also took charge of the University's Athletic Volunteerism Program. A 1970 graduate of Providence College, Boyle was an administrative assistant to the executive director and box office supervisor at the Providence Civic Center for six years. With a Bachelor of Arts in English, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, graduating the PC ROTC program. He rose to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Field Artillery Officer. Active in student affairs at Providence, Boyle was elected to 'Who's Who' and the 'National Student Register' as an undergraduate. As a senior, he served as Vice President of the Student Congress. He is currently a member and past officer of the Narragansett Lions Club and is a member of the Board of Canvassers for the town of Narragansett. Boyle and his wife, Janet, were married in 1983 and reside in Narragansett. The couple has two children - Peter and Karen. Vinny Turco Assistant Athletics Director Vinny Turco begins his 12th season as assistant athletics director for operations at the University of Rhode Island. In this role, Turco oversees all game operations for men s and women s home athletic contests, coordinates the athletic master schedule, and manages the administrative purchasing process of athletic material and equipment for all 18 URI varsity sports. Turco is also responsible for the management and planning of daily practice and team travel equipment requirements, facility set-up and breakdown for football, men s and women s basketball, and volleyball home events, and administration of athletic material sports budgets. He is the department s liaison to the Ryan Center. A former defensive back on the URI football team, Turco returned to Kingston following a two-year stint as assistant director for athletic equipment at Ohio University. While at Ohio, he helped coordinate game day operations and event management for athletic contests and also controlled the purchasing and inventory of team athletic equipment and budgets. Turco graduated from Rhode Island in 1990 with a bachelor s degree in physical education and earned his master s degree in athletic administration from Ohio University in 1994. In addition to his duties at URI, Turco also works as a field producer and does specialty statistics for Fox Sports and works in conjunction with Dorna USA, with his primary responsibility being the operation and maintenance of rotating marketing signs at men s and women s basketball games. He also served as the public relations/statistical distribution crew supervisor at Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, and XXVIV. Turco and his wife, Cheryl, reside in Kingston with their two children Rae and Joseph. ART TUVESON Assistant Athletics Director Art Tuveson begins his 28th year at URI and his third year as assistant athletics director, in charge of facilities management and planning. Tuveson is responsible for facility management and planning with respect to the intercollegiate, club and recreational sports programs. He handles all facility maintenance issues while serving as the athletic department s liaison with architectural firms. Tuveson is responsible for special operations/projects which may be on-going or short-term and which require planning, coordination and supervision. He served as assistant director for recreational services and facilities from 1990-2004. Most recently, Tuveson was instrumental in the completion of the $12 million Bradford Boss Ice Arena in 2002 while also helping with the plans for the Ryan Center. He has also helped with the planning and construction of Mackal Field House, Arrigan Sailing Pavilion, and Campanella Rowing Center. Tuveson came to Kingston in 1980 as Director of Recreational Services, a post which he held until his promotion in 1990. During that time, he was responsible for the planning, organization, and coordination of a comprehensive and diverse recreational services program that would meet the needs of the URI community. This included open recreation, club sports, fitness/wellness, aquatics, sailing, and intramurals, as well as maintaining a master schedule of all indoor and outdoor events. After serving as the coordinator of club sports and the assistant director of recreation and student activities as both an undergrad and post-graduate at UNH, Tuveson was named director of recreation at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1978. While at UWs-Stout, he was responsible for the administration, organization, and development of the intramural and club sport programs. Two years later, Tuveson relocated to Kingston. A 1972 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Tuveson received his master s degree in recreation administration from the University of Oregon in 1977. daryl jasper Director of Business Development Daryl Jasper begins his first year as the Director of Business Development for The Ryan Center and the University of Rhode Island (URI) Athletics Department. In this role, Jasper will work in a collaborative effort with the Ryan Center - the home of URI s men s and women s basketball teams - and the athletics department to generate advertising, sponsorship, promotions, and corporate partnerships. Most recently, Jasper worked with Nelligan Sports Marketing as the general manager of Brown University s property. In that role, Jasper worked closely with the Brown athletics administration in all facets of marketing. In just six months, Jasper negotiated and restructured corporate partnerships, while creating new innovative opportunities for local, regional, and national sponsors. Prior to working with Nelligan, Jasper spent 13 years in professional minor league baseball. During the 2007 season, he served as executive vice president of business operations with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats - the Eastern League (AA) affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Directly responsible for all departments in the organization, Jasper administered and managed all aspects of marketing, sales and corporate partnerships for the Fisher Cats. From 1995-2006, Jasper worked for the Pawtucket Red Sox, elevating to the role of assistant general manager. While at McCoy Stadium, he sold corporate partnerships, organized community outreach events, oversaw individual and season ticket campaigns, and supervised a game day staff of over 250 employees. During his tenure in Pawtucket, Jasper helped increase sales totals for the corporate partnership program. Jasper attended Boston College before graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Isenberg School of Management/Sport Management Program in 1993. He currently serves on the Sports Management Department s Alumni Advisory Board. He resides in North Smithfield, R.I. 2 0 0 8-0 9 U n i v e r s i t y o f R h o d e I s l a n d M e n s B a s k e t b a l l 1 3 5

fast break club Join the Team To enhance the University of Rhode Island men s basketball program, the athletics department and the Fast Break Club promote the annual financial support from former players, alumni, parents, and friends. Your support provides the additional resources necessary for our student-athletes to compete successfully at the regional and national levels. Your impact on their success helps the men s basketball program bring honor, recognition and high public regard to the University of Rhode Island. Come and join the team! Go Rhody! Become a Founding Member of the Ernie Calverley Society Each and every gift to the Fast Break Club is crucial to the mission of enhancing the University of Rhode Island men s basketball program. Gifts of $1,000 or more, however, have the most positive impact. The Fast Break Club sponsors the annual Meet the Players dinner - an enjoyable evening event with head coach Jim Baron and members of the Rams basketball program Donors who contribute at this level will be recognized in the newly-formed and exclusive Ernie Calverley Society for URI men s basketball. In addition, if you make such a gift prior to June 30, 2009, you will be permanently recognized as a Founding Member of the Ernie Calverley Society for URI Basketball. For more information on the Ernie Calverly Society please contact Athletics Development at (401) 874-7409. The University of Rhode Island athletics department wishes to recognize the many individuals who generously contributed to the Fast Break Club between July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008. We ve made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this list. If your name is listed incorrectly, please contact Athletics Development at (401) 874-7536. Head Coach Donors ($500+) Mr. Raymond Azar Mr. Banice Bazar Mr. Donald Brown & Ms. Celia Brown Mr. Robert Carlson Mr. Frank Caruso Mr. Alvin Clegg, Jr. Mr. John DeCubellis, Jr. & Ms. Meg DeCubellis Mr. Joseph Drago, III & Ms. Donna Drago Mr. William Drena & Ms. Mary Drena Mr. David Dubinsky Mr. Donald Dupuis & Ms. Patricia Dupuis Mr. Joshua Feinstein & Ms. Lauren Feinstein Mr. Keith Gibbs Mr. Douglas Gingerella Ms. Linda Graf & Mr. Joseph Graf Mr. Robert Hadley, Jr. Ms. Claire Hall & Mr. James Hall Mr. Robert W Halstead Mr. Chris Heisler & Mrs. Gloria Heisler Mr. Todd Hemenway Mr. Edward Hjerpe, III Mr. Donald Kaull & Ms. Caroline Kaull Mr. Kenneth Knox & Ms. Marianne Holmes Mr. Thomas Krohner & Ms. Susan Krohner Mr. George Landes & Ms. Martha Landes Mr. Michael Lauder Mr. Carl Lisa, Sr. Dr. Raymond Lundgren, Jr. & Ms. Nancy Lundgren Mr. Gregory Marcello & Mrs. Elizabeth Marcello Mr. David Maron & Ms. Tracey Whirty Maron Mr. R Frank Maroni Mr. John V Martinelli Dr. Nally & Ms. Carolyn M Nally Mr. Michael Neril Mr. Donald Paiva Mr. John Parente & Ms. Linda Parente Ms. Louise Pearson Mr. Henrique Pedro & Ms. Janice Violante Mr. Joseph Penza, Jr. Mr. Douglas Randall, III & Ms. Lorraine Randall Mr. Edgar Reed Mr. Louis Rochira & Mrs. Catherine Rochira Mr. Anthony Rose, Jr. Mr. Jerry Rosenband Mr. Thomas Ryan & Ms. Cathy Ryan Dr. Thomas Salimeno, Jr. Mr. Philip Saulnier & Ms. Judith Saulnier Mr. Raymond Sicard, Jr. Mr. John Silva Mr. Michael Smith Mr. Charles Soloveitzik Mr. Bradford Southworth Mr. Dennis Sullivan & Ms. Christine Sullivan Mr. John Walsh Mr. Robert Wells Mr. Bruce Wolpert Mr. Alan Zartarian & Ms. Marilyn Zartarian Mr. Robert Zartarian Mr. David Zartarian Assistant Coach Donors ($250+) Mr. Stephen Beneduce Mr. Derek Bradley Mr. Barnet Cohen Mr. Edward Dart Ms. Carolyn Dickison Mr. Eric Hedison Mr. David Hedison Mr. Gordon Hiatt Mrs. Andrea Hopkins & Mr. Mark Hopkins Mr. Ardashes Nahabedian Mr. Nathaniel Nazareth, Sr. Mr. Nathaniel Nazareth, Jr. & Ms. Brenda Nazareth Mr. William O Malley Mr. Daniel Pendergast, Jr. Mr. Paul A Sepe & Ms. Geraldine Sepe Mr. Milton Somberg Mrs. Phyllis Stenhouse & Mr. David Stenhouse Mr. Robert Underhill & Ms. Barbara Underhill Mr. Brian G Zartarian Varsity Donors ($100+) Mr. Bradley Carson Ms. Frances Cousineau Mr. Alan Hirsch Mr. Richard Jendzejec Mr. Stephen Kopitko Mr. Kevin McDevitt Ms. Blanche Murray Mr. Paul Nonnenmacher, Jr. Dr. Charles Schmidt, Jr. Mr. Neil Thorp Mr. Edward Zajac Jr. 1 3 6 2 0 0 8-0 9 U n i v e r s i t y o f R h o d e I s l a n d M e n s B a s k e t b a l l

NCAA compliance - rules & regulations A Booster s Guide To NCAA Rules & Regulations The Atlantic 10 Conference, in conjunction with the Athletics Department at the University of Rhode Island, as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, are primarily responsible for insuring that its various constituencies (i.e. University staff and faculty, student-athletes, alumni and friends) abide by the NCAA rules and regulations. Under those rules, alumni and friends can be categorized as representatives of the University s athletic interests. The following information was compiled to assist alumni and friends in complying with NCAA Rules and regulations governing the conduct of our Institution and it s athletics programs. Am I a Representative of Athletic Interests? Yes, If you have ever: Been a member of the University s booster organization or any of the sport specific groups under the athletic department. Made a donation to any of the Atlantic 10 member schools men s or women s athletic programs. Helped to arrange or have provided summer employment for enrolled student-athletes. Contacted (by letter, telephone or in person) a high school student, grades 9-12, for the purpose of encouraging the student to participate in URI s Athletics programs. Assisted in providing any benefit to enrolled student-athletes or their families. Been involved in any way with the University of Rhode Island s Athletics programs. The NCAA stipulates that once you have become an athletic representative you retain that identification forever, even if you no longer contribute to the athletic program. Four Important Rules You Should Know Rule #1: Only coaches and athletics department staff members can be involved in the recruiting process. All athletic representatives who are not employed by the school are prohibited from contacting a prospect or members of the prospect s family by telephone, letter or in person on or off campus for the purpose of encouraging participation in the URI s athletic programs. Rule #2: University of Rhode Island representatives cannot provide an extra benefit or special arrangement to a prospect OR an enrolled student-athlete. Specific applications as they apply to the NCAA extra benefit rule to prospects and enrolled student-athletes, their relatives or friends state that you: May not give them cash or loans in any amount; May not sign or co-sign a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan; May not employ relatives or friends of a prospect as an inducement for the enrollment of the prospect; May not give them gifts of any kind (e.g. birthday, Christmas, Valentine s Day) or free services (e.g. clothing, airline tickets, laundry, car repair, hair cuts, meals in restaurants); May not provide special discounts for goods or services; May not provide them hospitality in your home other than for special occasions (e.g. Thanksgiving, birthday); May not invite them to your summer home to go water skiing, sailing, etc; May not provide them transportation within or outside of the campus area (e.g., from campus to your home, from the airport to campus, to summer job, etc.); May not entertain or contact a prospect or prospect s family on or off campus; May not provide rent free or reduced rent housing; May not provide a benefit connected with on or off campus housing (e.g. individual television sets or stereo equipment, specialized recreational facilities, etc.); May not provide guarantee of a bond; May not promise financial aid for post-graduate education; May not provide promise to a prospect of employment after college graduation. Rule #3:PLEASE assist the coaching staff in the recruiting process by notifying them of any student you think would be a strong addition to the University of Rhode Island s athletics program. The coach can then make the appropriate contact with the prospect. Rule #4: As an athletic representative, you are not precluded from continuing friendships with families who have prospective or enrolled student-athletes (e.g., backyard barbecues, picnics). You simply cannot encourage a prospect s participation in the University of Rhode Island s athletic programs or provide benefits to the student-athlete that you were not providing before he or she became a prospect or enrolled student-athlete. Who is a Prospective Student-Athlete? A prospective student-athlete is a person who has begun classes for the ninth grade. However, it is possible for a younger student to be a prospect, so it is prudent to treat ALL athletes as prospects. Can I be involved with High School and Community College Student-Athletes (Prospects) PLEASE feel free to attend high school and community college athletic events. You simply cannot have any contact with the prospective student-athletes or relatives. Should you find yourself seated next to parents of a prospect, DO NOT initiate conversation with the relatives. If conversation is initiated with you, respond in a civil manner but DO NOT discuss the University of Rhode Island s athletics program with them. If they raise questions about the program, remind them that the NCAA prohibits you from discussing the program with them. Direct their questions to the University of Rhode Island s Athletics Department. CONTINUE established family relationships with friends and neighbors. Contacts with sons or daughters of these families certainly are permitted as long as they are not made for recruiting purposes and are not initiated by the University of Rhode Island s coaching staff members. You are permitted to play pick-up basketball or softball games, continue neighborhood picnics or backyard barbecues and engage in your normal activities with prospects and their parents who are family friends. Again, you simply cannot attempt to recruit the prospect. PLEASE feel free to attend a public event (e.g. an awards banquet or dinner) at which prospects are in attendance. No attempt should be made to recruit the prospect. PLEASE send to the University of Rhode Island s coaching staff any information about prospects that you think would be of interest. Your assistance in this manner is very helpful. The coaching staff will then make contact with the prospect. PLEASE feel free to offer assistance to members of the University of Rhode Island s coaching staff who are recruiting in your community. Whom Do I Contact? If you have any questions about contact with a prospective or enrolled student-athlete, please direct these questions to one of the following: Kelly Webb Assistant Director/Compliance Atlantic 10 Conference 230 South Broad St., Suite 1700 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Phone: (215) 545-6678 Fax: (215) 545-3342 e-mail: kwebb@atlantic10.org Paul Kassabian Compliance Coordinator University of Rhode Island Three Keaney Road, Suite One Kingston, RI 02881 Phone: (401) 874-2281 Fax: (401) 874-2158 e-mail: kokojr@uri.edu 2 0 0 8-0 9 U n i v e r s i t y o f R h o d e I s l a n d M e n s B a s k e t b a l l 1 3 7