Team History
Sailing at the University of Rhode Island dates back to the fall of 1935, when Professor Ed Shock designed and built 4 wooden dinghies for students to practice their racing in. He complained to President Bressler that storing the dinghies in the boiler room of Lippett Hall could destroy the wooden boats. Though some things haven't changed since then, the team has come a long way. After sailing was resurrected by Ralph Potter in the 40s, the program would go years before a small group built a boat house in 51. In the 60s sailors would practice in Beverly dinghies and in 65 Art Paine along with Peter Greene led the Team to its first National Championship. In the 70s the team became a power, producing 8 All-Americans as well winning 3 National Championships (2 dinghy and 1 team race). The Team would go through many changes in early 80s, as it would go from varsity to club sport and would return back to the Saltpond after a stay in East Greenwich. There was also a change in boats as a used fleet of 420s was purchased from Yale. All the changes didn't change the group's success, as 10 more All-Americans were chosen from the University.
In 1989, the first campaign began with the hopes of building a new facility, purchasing a new fleet and developing an endowment to support the team for years to come. The first new fleet in over 30 years was not far behind, as the team would take delivery of 12 Vanguard FJs in the fall 92. The program continued it's winning ways and in 1990 the team won it's first ever World Keelboat Championship. The 90s brought big things, none bigger then a new home. In 1992 the Robert P Arrigan Sailing Pavilion as opened for both competitive and instructional use. URI now had the capacity to do big things and 1998 they took delivery on a fleet of 18 boats to do it with. The boats were built light and lively and have been a hit just about everyone how sails them. As a result, the University was awarded the right to host the 2001 ICSA National Co-ed Dinghy Championship. The event was held off Roger Wheeler Beach in Galilee and displayed, to all of college sailing, what URI sailing has to offer. Today, the team practices 4 days a week on the Saltpond, regularly filling all 18 FJs.
With the guidance of a fulltime head coach, they compete at as many as 8 regattas per weekend, dueling with all the top teams throughout the spring and fall. The team, which can be found regularly within national rankings, strives to continue the success of all of those from years past.