KINGSTON, R.I., — May 7, 2001 — The University of Rhode Island Men’s Hockey Club has become a power among the more than 200 college teams playing club hockey in the nation. And the two-year-old women’s URI Hockey Club is building a strong foundation for the future. The following are some highlights of club hockey at Rhode Island: Original men’s club played from 1952 through 1955. Two key players were Brad Boss and the late Bob Adams, for whom the URI Adams Cup Golf Tournament is named. oThe men’s club was born again in 1975, under the guidance of Connie Hill, a professor at URI, who was a member of the first NCAA hockey champion team in 1948, the University of Michigan. In their first year, the Rams finished 9-4-1. In 1976-77, the team played then Rhode Island Junior College to a 2-2 tie in the first-ever collegiate game to be played at the Providence Civic Center. oIn the 1982-83 season, Art Tuveson, now URI’s assistant director of athletics for recreational sports and facilities, began an effort to boost what were considered the major club sports — crew, ice hockey and sailing. oTuveson called 1988-89 the best season ever for the men. The team won its third straight league title, with an 18-6-3 record. With a national ranking of number five, the Rams were invited to Ames, Iowa for the national club teams tourney where they won one and lost two. oIn 1989-90, Joe Augustine took over as coach, and the Rams have posted a winning record ever since. That first year under Augustine, a member of an NCAA championship runner-up at Boston College, the Rams went 13-6-0 and cracked the top 10 nationally. oIn 1998-99, the Rams were 16-10-3 overall, 10-3-3 in the league. The Rams were tied for 12th with West Virginia in the final national rankings. oIn 1999-2000, the team posted a 20-8-2 record, the most wins ever in a season. The team was ranked 12th nationally among club squads, and it captured the ECHA Northern Division Championship. oThe club league (the ECHA) in which Rhode Island now plays is the only one in the country to maintain strict grade point standards for eligibility. While practicing three or four times a week along with games, the students graduate on time. oAnnually, the men’s team raises $30,000 through fund-raising efforts. It also receives $20,000 from the Student Senate, and support from Recreation Services. oIn the conclusion of the 2000-2001 season, the men’s club team finished with a record 18-12-1 overall and in the league it was 12-6-0, and it was ranked 16th nationally. o The women’s club team was initiated in 1999-2000 season and is working to build a successful future. The coach of the team is Beth McCann, who was a member of the first intercollegiate women’s hockey team at Northeastern University, during which she was captain for three years. Next year, the women’s team will have 15 players, and will fund-raise about $20,000, and it will receive $5,000 from the Student Senate. For Information: Linda A. Acciardo 401-874-2116, Dave Lavallee 401-874-2116