KINGSTON, R.I.--February 16, 2001 -- The University of Rhode Island’s women’s club hockey squad will sponsor the second annual Rhode Island Women’s Collegiate Hockey Day on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Fleet Skating Center in Providence.

The program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children, but youngsters who wear their hockey jerseys get a dollar off admission.

"The goal is to help people become aware of women’s ice hockey, and to promote the growth and development of women’s athletics," said URI coach Beth McCann, a former varsity player for the Northeastern University’s women’s team.

Youngsters will have the chance to meet and skate with players and coaches from URI, and the intercollegiate teams of Brown University, Providence College and Salve Regina University.

"Players from the various teams will skate with their jerseys on," said Jen Brien, a member of the URI hockey club. She now lives in East Greenwich, but grew up in Woonsocket.

"It’s going to be a lot of fun; girls and boys are invited," Brien said. "We even believe Rhody (the Rams mascot) is going to be there."

A pair of Bauer Vapors in-line skates will be raffled off, along with sticks, videos and gift certificates to area restaurants.

Brien said she and her teammates want to get the word out to Rhode Islanders that women’s hockey is growing at URI, and that the program will only gain strength when URI completes construction of its new ice rink.

For Information: Beth McCann 401-322-1784, Dave Lavallee 401-874-2116