PHOTO GALLERY: Rams on the Rhode - Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling Co.
Donate to the Rams Fund

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Rams on the Rhode summer tour continued Tuesday night, as fans gathered at the Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling Co. to hear from URI Vice President and Director of Athletics Pat Lyons, as well as football coach Jim Fleming, men's basketball coach Archie Miller and women's basketball coach Colleen Mullen.

New Rhode Island Associate Athletic Director for Development Nick Yanco greeted the crowd and served as the evening's master of ceremonies. Before he introduced Lyons and the coaches, Yanco spoke about the current landscape of college athletics and significance of donor support when it comes to Name, Image and Likeness-related support for student-athletes.

Fleming was the first coach to speak. His Rams are looking for a third straight CAA Football title while taking aim at a national title. The team has about 75 players on campus for the summer, working out while taking summer courses.

Miller shared with the crowd that his team had its first practice earlier on Tuesday. One noticeable difference was the familiarity the team had with each other on Day One, since Miller returns six players from last season's squad. Miller also made sure to encourage fans to pack Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket for the football team this Fall.

URI's newest coach, Mullen let the crowd of roughly 150 fans know her full squad would be on campus in July. She took time to spotlight returning senior point guard Sophia Vital, who led Rhody to its first NCAA Championship appearance in 30 years after winning the Atlantic 10's regular and postseason titles. Vital, a mechanical engineering major, embodies the type of student-athlete Mullen wants to represent the University.

Tuesday was the second of three Rams on the Rhode events. On May 20, fans gathered at Wally's Weiners in Providence. The final Rams on the Rhode event will be held at Centreville Bank Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22 in conjunction with Rhode Island FC's match against Monterey Bay FC. Full details and ticket information for the event will be released at a later date.