Men’s Basketball Signs 10-Year Contract to Continue Series with URI.
Providence, Rhode Island – The men’s basketball programs at Providence College and the University of Rhode Island have agreed to a 10-year contract extension to continue their annual series. The contract extension begins with the 2023-24 season. This year, the Friars will host the Rams at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Saturday, December 2nd.
The agreement states that both parties will make every endeavor to play the game on the first Saturday of December each season. If this is not possible, the schools will try to identify another date.
Each season’s game date will be established by July 1st.
Providence Athletic Director Steve Napolillo and Rhode Island Athletic Director Thorr Bjorn worked together on the deal.
“The Providence College versus URI men’s basketball game has been a great tradition for the State of Rhode Island for many years,” Napolillo said. “We look forward to keeping the tradition going for the next 10 years for all the Friar and Ram fans. In addition to the excitement that it brings to the State, we recognize that the game also provides a significant economic impact for businesses in both communities. I appreciate Coach English, Coach Miller and Thorr Bjorn, for recognizing and supporting the importance of playing this game each year.”
“The Providence College/URI Basketball game is one that is important for the entire State,” Bjorn said. “Locking in a 10-year series rather than going year-to-year shows the importance of this rivalry to both institutions. I would like to thank Steve Napolillo for working with us on this significant commitment.”
While the game has been a long-standing tradition in the State, Rhode Island Head Coach Archie Miller and Providence Head Coach Kim English are relatively new to the rivalry. Miller got his first taste last season, while English is in his first season at the helm for the Friars.
“Since I arrived in Providence, I have been impressed by the excitement and passion for college basketball in the State of Rhode Island,” English said. “I know that the enthusiasm for the game between the two teams will be very high. I look forward to experiencing this when we meet this year. Games like this are important to our program and to the game of basketball in our State.”
The teams will alternate home games for the length of the agreement, with the schedule as follows:
2023-24 – at Providence College
2024-25 – at Rhode Island
2025-26 – at Providence College
2026-27 – at Rhode Island
2027-28 – at Providence College
2028-29 – at Rhode Island
2029-30 – at Providence College
2030-31 – at Rhode Island
2031-32 – at Providence College
2032-33 – at Rhode Island
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