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State bested the Rams 12-10. Following the season, Kopp was named New England Coach of the Year while OT Charles Gibbons, center Charles Hunt, OT Robert Novelli, and RB Eddie DiSimone earned First Team All-Yankee Conference honors. Herb Maack took over for Kopp prior to the 1956 season, and in five years as head coach led the Rams to a 17-22-2 mark. John Chironna coached URI in 1961 and 1962 before Jack Zilly took over the program. In Zilly's second season as head coach, URI played its first-ever night game, a 20-11 win over Northeastern at Mt. Pleasant Stadium in Providence. In 1970, Jack Gregory became the 14th coach in URI history, and produced a record of 22-33-3 over the next six seasons. The Rams played the first and only night game ever played at Meade Stadium in 1972, and fans who sat under the portable lights saw the Rams blank Hampton Institute, 27-0. One year later, Rhode Island made collegiate football history, becoming the first United States collegiate team to play American football on a European continent. The Rams traveled to Frankfurt, Germany for a contest against the U.S. Coast Guard, and flew home over the Atlantic with a 36-6 win in their back pocket. The game was dubbed 'The Turkey Bowl' and was broadcast throughout the world on the Voice of America and Armed Forces Radio Networks through the auspices of the URI Sports Network. The Rams opened Gregory's final season as head coach against St. Mary's University, which is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Under the lights at Cranston Stadium in Providence, URI shut out their neighbors from the north, 33-0 in the school's first-ever game regular-season game against an international opponent. Bob Griffin took over the program in 1976 and led the Rams to unparalleled success. During 17 seasons as head coach, Griffin led the Rams to a record 79 wins and three berths in the NCAA I-AA Playoffs. The Rams struggled in Griffin's first season, finishing with just a 3-5 record, but a 21-20 win over No. 1 New Hampshire in 1977 marked the start of the most successful stretch in URI football history. The 1978 season marked a series of changes for the URI football program. All of the schools in the Yankee Conference were elevated to the new NCAA I-AA alignment, while Meade Stadium was fitted with an additional section of seating as 50 rows of bleachers and a new press box were added (additional concession and restroom facilities would be added in 1980, and the flag grouping at the southwest corner of the stadium was

The University of Rhode Island celebrates its 109th season of football in 2008. Led by first-year head coach Darren Rizzi, the Rams look to ascend the ranks of the CAA Football, which is regarded as one of the best conferences at the Football Championship Subdivision level. A former walk-on who earned All-America honors as a senior, Rizzi returns to Kingston after six seasons at Rutgers, where he helped the Scarlet Knights earn three-consecutive bowl bids for the first time in school history. Rizzi hopes he can bring the same success back to his alma mater. When one things of Rhode Island football, names like Frank Keaney, Tom Ehrhardt, Pat Abbruzzi, Brian Forster, and Steve Furness come to mind. However, it's unlikely any of these men would have had the opportunity to play football at URI has it not been for a pair of student coaches back in 1985 who oversaw the first Ram football team. Three years later, Marshall Tyler became the first coach in school history. Tyler coached the Rams for 10 seasons and guided them to 23 wins. He would go on to be inducted into the University of Rhode Island Athletics Hall of Fame, and a building on campus - Tyler Hall - bears his name to this day. A trio of coaches - George Cobb, Robert Bingham, and Jim Baldwin - followed in Tyler's footsteps over the next 11 seasons before Frank Keaney took over the program in 1920. Playing on an unnamed 'informal' field on the plains to the west of the main campus, Keaney led the Rams to 70 wins - a record that still stands among URI head football coaches. Keaney's Rams finished .500 or better in 11 of his 20 seasons, with the 1933 and 1934 squads winning six games each. Perhaps Keaney's finest coaching moment came in 1935, when the Rams defeated in-state rival Brown in varsity competition for the first time in school history, 13-7. It was during Keaney's tenure as head coach - March 8, 1923, to be exact - that the University first adopted the Ram as its mascot. On November 21, 1929, the first 'live' Ram appeared on the sidelines, and live mascots were housed on campus until the 1960's, when it was deemed no longer feasible to do so. A live mascot was used again in 1974, and then not again until 1983. The origin of the Ram is believed to have involved the University's historical agricultural thrust upon the founding of the institution in 1982 as the Rhode Island College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts under the Land Grant Act of 1962.

Bill Beck and Paul Sieurzo followed in Keaney's footsteps from 1941-19 and combined to post a record of 17-26-2. Prior to the 1947 season, Beck's Rams became charter members of the Yankee Conference (later Atlantic 10 and currently CAA Football), joining six other Land-Grant Universities. Rhody opened play in the Yankee Conference with a bang, knocking off Massachusetts, 20-13. Hal Kopp took over the coaching reins in 1950 and spent five seasons patrolling the sidelines for URI, compiling a record of 28-11-2. His winning percentage of .707 ranks No. 1 in school history. In Kopp's second season as head coach in 1952 (he did not coach the team in 1951), the Rams snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Bears of Brown University when Bob DiSpirito's extra point sailed through the uprights, giving URI a 7-6 win over the rivals from Providence. The Rams would finish the season 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the conference, which gave them a share of the conference crown for the first time in school history. The seven wins marked the most in the 54-year history of the program and would later be matched by only four teams in school history - 1978 (7-3), 1982 (7-2), 1984 (10-3), and 1985 (10-3). The 1955 edition of the URI football team also etched their names into the record book as they became the first Ram team to advance to a bowl game. After tying two of their first three opponents to start the season, the Rams rallied back to win their final five games, outscoring opponents 119-29 during that stretch, to finish 6-0-2 and earn its second Yankee Conference Championship in four years. From there, the Rams flew to Evansville, Indiana to take on Jacksonville State in the 8th annual Refrigerator Bowl. Considering there were only nine bowls for small college's, this was quite an accomplishment, so much so that morning classes were delayed for a rally on the quad to see the team off. In front of 8,500 fans at the Reitz Bowl on December 4, Jacksonville

URI Football History

The 1955 Rams participated in the Refrigerator Bowl.

In the early years of URI football, he Rams played on the plains to the west of the main campus.

Bernard Pina (14) and Rhode Island first met Brown in 1909.


dedicated to former director of athletics and Hall of Famer Maurice “Mo” Zarchen that same season). The additional increased stadium capacity to 9,000 and brought with it free seating on the lawns on either side of the west stands. The east side of Meade also became the home bench. The Rams finished the 1978 campaign with a 7-3 mark, but stumbled the following season, going 1-9-1. Rhode Island posted a 2-9 record in 1980. After a series of 'Wait 'til next year' seasons, the Rams won the Yankee Conference with a 4-1 mark in 1981 (6-6 overall) and earned league automatic berth into the NCAA I-AA Playoffs. For Griffin, the berth marked a returned trip to Idaho State, where he spent four season as head coach of the Bengals. URI suffered a 51-0 loss in that first-round contest and would have to wait three more

years before returning to the playoffs. The Rams posted a 13-8 combined mark over the next two seasons, going 7-4 in 1982 and 6-4 the following year. The Rams had a record 13 players earn all-conference honors in 1982, including the late Rich Pelzer, who was URI's first I-AA All-America selection in football. That same season, the Rams knocked off the Black Bears of Maine 58-55 in a then-NCAA record six overtimes. The contest - which took three hours and 46 minuets to complete - was the first OT contest in conference history and was honored with a special exhibit in the College Hall of Fame. CBS-TV came to Kingston in 1983 to regionally televise the return matchup between the two teams. The Rams did the capacity home crowd proud, sending the Black Bears back to Orono with a 24-16 loss in what was the first televised game in Meade Stadium history. The 1984 edition of the URI football team set team records for wins in a season as it posted a 10-3 record and advanced to the playoffs for the second time in school history. The Rams set the tone for their run early in the season, defeating Boston University 22-7 in front of 13, 052 - the largest crowd in Meade Stadium history. The Rams went on to capture the Yankee Conference Championship, and with it its automatic bid to the NCAA I-AA Playoffs. Behind record-setting quarterback Tom Ehrhardt, the Rams were sixth in the nation in passing, averaging 306.5 yards per game through the air. The defensive unit was strong as well, allowing just 16.1 points per game - third best in the ECAC.

The Rams drew a first-round bye and opened the playoffs with a 23-17 win over Richmond in the quarterfinals the following week. URI advanced to face Montana State out of the Big Sky conference, and the eventual national champions downed the Rams 32-20 on a frozen field in Bozeman, Mont. Despite the loss, the team finished second in the final NCAA Poll - the highest national ranking in school history. Coach Bob Griffin’s team won the Lambert-Meadowlands Cup, which is emblematic of the top team in the East, as well as ECAC Team of the Year honors. Additionally, Griffin was named Yankee Conference Coach of the Year, Kodak Region I Coach of the Year, New England Coach of the Year, and Words Unlimited Coach of the Year. Yankee Conference Player of the Year Tom Ehrhardt (right) and tight end Brian Forster, meanwhile, earned All-America honors. The duo, along with OG Greg Sturgis, WR Dameon Reilly, DE Charlie Bounty and DB Tony Hill, also earned All-New England honors while Forster, Reilly, Sturgis, Bounty, Hill, LB Mark Brockwell, WR Tony DiMaggio, OT Rich Capolongo, RB Rich Kelley, DL Bob Dana, and DB Bernie Moran earned All-Yankee Conference honors. Like the 1984 Rams, the 1985 team posted a 10-3 record, including a perfect 5-0


The Rams defeated Brown for the first time in 1935, 13-7.

The Rams of the 1920's and 1930's were coached by Frank Keaney.

Rhode Island outlasted Maine 58-55 in a then-NCAA record six over-times in 1983. The game was honored with a special exhibit in the

College Hall of Fame.


mark in Yankee Conference play, which earned them the school's first undefeated and untied conference title since joining the league 39 years ago. Once again, the Rams were earned ECAC Team of the Year honors and the Lambert-Meadowlands Cup after leading the country in passing. After a 35-27 win over Akron in the first round of the playoffs in Kingston, the Rams traveled to Greenville, S.C. to face Furman, where the eventual national runner-up Paladins dealt URI a 59-15 defeat. Despite the loss, the Rams won a record eight games during the course of the season, and the campaign marked the fourth-straight plus-.500 season. Once could argue that the new computerized scoreboard installed prior to the 1986 season was a results of the gaudy numbers the Rams recorded during the previous two seasons. Unfortunately, the Rams were unable to build off their 10-win seasons and failed to post another .500-plus season until 1991 (6-5). During that stretch, the conference added Richmond and Delaware (1988), and a year later invited Villanova to join the league. That season, the Rams and Wildcats traveled to Milan, Italy for a regular-season contest which was also the first football game for United States collegiate teams on Italian soil. Griffin's final season as head coach came in 1992, and Floyd Keith arrived in Kingston in 1993 to help lead the Rams back to prominence. The league's first African-American coach, Keith struggled in his first two seasons at URI, going 4-7 in 1993 and 2-9 in 1994, but guided the 1995 team to a 7-4 record and a first-place finish in the Yankee Conference's New England Division. The Yankee Conference officially became the Atlantic 10 Conference in 1997, but the results stayed the same for the Rams as they posted a combined mark of 3-13 in their first two seasons in the A-10. Keith, meanwhile, posted a 23-53 mark in seven seasons, and was replaced by Tim Stowers in 2000. The program itself also underwent a renovation in 2000, as the field house, west grandstand, and old press box were demolished to make room for the Ryan Center, which reduced seating to 5,180. For the next two seasons, the Rams used a tent in front of the Tootell Center as a locker room. The arrangements didn't seem to bother Stowers, as he guided the Rams to an 8-3 mark in just his second season, including wins over nationally-ranked Delaware and Hofstra to open the season. The Rams dropped three of their final four games down the stretch to fall out of the playoff race, and over the next six seasons, the Rams never finished with more than three wins.

The Ryan Center opened following the 2002 season and featured a state-of-the-art locker room, modern athletic training room, and a coaches' locker room, giving the Rams some of the finest facilities in the conference. A fundraising drive was started shortly thereafter to increase the season capacity in Meade Stadium, and in 2006, over 2,300 new bleachers and chairback seats were opened on the west side of the stadium. In 2007, the Colonial Athletic Association officially absorbed all of the Atlantic 10 football teams and created a 12-team league of its own. The league consists of two six-team league: the North, which features Hofstra, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northeastern, and Delaware; and the South, which features Delaware, James Madison, Richmond, Towson, Villanova, and William & Mary. In its first season, the league sent a record five teams to the FCS playoffs, and two of them - Richmond and Delaware - advanced to the national semifinals. Additionally, four players - Joe Flacco (Delaware),

Tim Hightower and Arman Shields (Richmond), and Matt Sherry (Villanova) - were selected in the NFL Draft.

URI legend - Pat abbruzzi

It has been said that persistence pays off. For Rhode Island football coach Hal Kopp, it sure did. If it was not for his determination in recruiting local high school star Pasquale “Pat” Abbruzzi to spend his Saturday afternoons on the grass of Meade Stadium, Abbruzzi might have set a number of rushing records at Notre Dame or Boston College.

A life-long native of Warren, R.I., Abbruzzi was a three-sport star athlete in football, basketball and baseball at Warren High. Kopp had his eye on the All-State player and convinced the local product to stay in Rhode Island even though the Fighting Irish and Eagles had a heavy interest in him.

Kopp knew Abbruzzi had the potential to be good back, one to build his offense around and he didn’t want this prized recruit to slip away. His hard-nosed pile-driving style of running, reminiscent of John Riggins and Earl Campbell, was tailor-made for Kopp’s style of ball-control offense.

“He was the reason why I went to the University of Rhode Island,” said Abbruzzi.The 5-foot-9, 206-pound Abbruzzi was a hard-nosed, rock solid player who had the

physical stature to take the constant pounding that he would take on a weekly basis. In his four years at URI, the Rams had a 22-10 (.710) record and earned shares of the

Yankee Conference title twice. In his freshman season, Abbruzzi recorded the longest run from scrimmage with a 99-yard touchdown run in the third game of the season against New Hampshire. The mark still stands today.

In the Rams’ 27-7 win at New Hampshire on October 4, 1952, Abbruzzi was the story as he bulldozed his way for three touchdowns and set a single-game record of 306 rushing yards, a record that has never been equaled. He finished the season with eight touchdowns, rushing for 1,189 yards (then a school record).

He started his third year in the Rams’ backfield with two touchdowns versus Northeastern in the season-opener. By the time the 1953 campaign ended, he had rambled for 959 yards on 170 carries (5.6 yards per carry) and scored a touchdown in each of the Rams’ eight games that year.


The 1984 Rams advanced to the NCAA Playoffs.

The Rams went 10-3 in 1985 and returned to the NCAA Playoffs.

Pat Abbruzzi earned First Team All-Yankee Conference honors from 1951-54.


In his senior year, a nagging ankle injury suffered in the season opener at Northeastern slowed him all season. But in his final game of his Ram career, Abbruzzi ran for 221 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-0 win over Connecticut. A fitting ending to a remarkable career.

Abbruzzi left a lasting impression on the Ram record books. He is URI’s all-time ground gainer with 3,389 yards on 562 carries, is the leader in career touchdowns (25) and is fourth in career points (150). At Rhode Island, he established himself as the greatest back in team history and one of the best ever from the state.

The Rams’ Little All-American in 1953 and ’54, Abbruzzi holds a dozen New England, Yankee Conference and Rhode Island rushing records. Many of the URI records that he broke were held by his brother, “Duke,” who played on the Rams from 1937-41.

Abbruzzi is the only player in the history of the Yankee Conference to be selected to the All-Conference team. He was selected the Rhode Island Athlete of the Year in 1953 and Rhode Island Italian-American Athlete of the Year in 1953 and 1954. In addition, he was also chosen as an All-New England selection twice.

After his illustrious career at URI, Abbruzzi opted to take his talents north of the border to Montreal, Canada. Despite being drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the third round in 1953, he decided on Canada because of a conflict regarding a bonus. Abbruzzi chose to play for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He played four seasons in Montreal and became one of the greatest all-time players in Canadian Football history.

In his first year, he recorded eight 100-yard games and subsequently was named the Canadian Football League’s Player-of-the-Year in 1955. A member of the Alouettes’ Hall-of-Fame, Abbruzzi holds a number of team records and was named to the league’s All-Pro team each season.

He played for the Alouettes from in 1955-58, and holds the team record for rushing touchdowns in a game with four (at Toronto, Oct. 22, 1955) and is second on the all-time list in rushing with 3,749 yards, carries (700), 100-yard games (11) and touchdowns (45).

In his first two seasons, Abbruzzi set the team record for touchdowns in a season with 19 in his first year and then broke his own record with 20 the following season. He shares the record for points in a game with 24 versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on September 22, 1956. In his first season, he tied the team record for touchdowns in a game with four on two different occasions (versus Hamilton and Toronto) and recorded another four touchdown game the next year against the Tiger-Cats (September 22, 1956).

In three of his four seasons, Abbruzzi led the Alouettes in rushing. He ran for 1,248 yards in 1956, 1,062 in 1957 and 809 in 1957. He holds the team records for rushing touchdowns in a season with 17 and for the most touchdowns in a season by a rookie.

In 1972, Abbruzzi’s feats were recognized as he was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame and he was inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame in 1976.

After his playing days, Abbruzzi still stayed involved in the game he loved. He was a physical education teacher for 30 years and was a successful football coach for 26 years at his alma mater, Warren High School. He built the football program into one of the most respected programs on and off the field. His teams won a total of nine divisional and state championships, including a winning streak of 34 consecutive regular-season victories during the 1970's. He was honored as the Rhode Island School Boy Coach-of-the-Year in 1975. In addition, he is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

In his illustrious football career on the high school, collegiate and professional levels, Pat Abbruzzi left a lasting impression on the game both in the United States and Canada. Abbruzzi, who passed away on June 3, 1998 will be remembered as one of the best football players in Rhode Island gridiron history.

URI legend - tom Ehrhardt

It has been more than a decade since Rhode Island quarterback Tom Ehrhardt and his outstanding supporting cast made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA I-AA playoffs, but if any memories are eternal, then the 1984 and 1985 Ram teams not only etched their place in the Rhode Island record books, but also in the minds of their faithful fans.

Those two teams are a part of Rhode Island lore, and the atmosphere surrounding them permeated throughout the state and the region. “I remember thinking that URI was never going to lose when he (Ehrhardt) was in the game,” said Ram alumnus and assistant gymnastics coach Mike Franco. “You had a sense that he would get it done. He had an intangible quality that allowed him to put his team over the top and he and (Brian) Forster were a great tandem.”

The 1984 and 1985 teams combined for a 20-6 record, won two Yankee Conference Championships, and won two NCAA playoff games - the last Ram teams to make the post-season. Ehrhardt is quick though to credit his teammates for the teams’ success. “Our offensive line was strong, we had a solid defense and great receivers,” said Ehrhardt, who holds every Ram passing record after spending just two years at Rhode Island.

Ehrhardt and his golden arm transferred to Kingston from then Division II C.W. Post because he liked coach Bob Griffin’s pass oriented offensive style. But in his first start for the Rams in 1984, he was far from great, completing just seven of 14 passes for 71 yards and suffered two interceptions in a 31-21 win over Howard - a game he left injured in the third quarter.

Following a win over Lafayette in his second game and a loss to Holy Cross in week three, Ehrhardt began to click. He passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams blasted Maine 27-0. A week later, he showed his prowess, throwing for 410 yards and five touchdowns in a 34-13 rout of state rival Brown.

The Rams rolled through their schedule unscathed for the next four weeks as

Ehrhardt had passing performances of 408 yards against Massachusetts and 425 versus Northeastern. With an 8-1 record and a perfect Yankee Conference mark, the Rams traveled to Durham, New Hampshire and dropped a 14-12 decision to the Wildcats. In the final week of the regular season, Ehrhardt tossed three touchdown passes to Dameon Reilly and one to Bob Donfield in a 29-19 win over Connecticut giving the Rams the league title.

After an opening round playoff bye, Rhode Island hosted Richmond at Meade Stadium. Ehrhardt, who along with Griffin were inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996, rose to the occasion. The Rhode Island signal-caller completed 34-of-53 passes for 389 yards and Forster caught a school record 18 passes as Rhode Island downed the Spiders 23-17 setting up a semifinal match-up at Montana State.

Like Ehrhardt’s first game in Keaney blue, the last game of the 1984 season is one he wishes he could forget. With the Rams leading 20-18, Ehrhardt forced a pass that was intercepted on the Montana State three-yard line and returned 97 yards for a touchdown. Rhode Island did not recover, fumbling the ensuing kickoff to set up another Bobcat score. The Rams lost 32-20. “I still have the tape of that game,” said Ehrhardt. “You look at it and say ‘Why did you throw it?’ That interception probably cost us the national championship.”

If the end of the 1984 season was disappointing, 1985 started off even worse for Ehrhardt and the heralded Rams. Three plays into the season-opener against Delaware, Ehrhardt left with an injured hip pointer and the Rams fell to the Blue Hens 29-13. Rhode Island also lost All-America defensive back Tony Hill for the season on the fourth defensive play of the game when he fractured his arm.

With Ehrhardt out of action against Howard in the next game, backup quarterback Greg Farland stepped in and threw two touchdown passes and the defense stepped up its play in a 46-0 drubbing of the Bison.

The return of Ehrhardt in week three saw him throw for 357 yards in a 34-14 win over Maine, but the following week, Brown would avenge their 1984 loss with a 32-27 win over Rhode Island despite 461 yards passing by

Ehrhardt. Forster tied his own record of 18 catches for another record 327 yards in the loss.

As they did in 1984, the Rams went on a tear, winning their next seven games to finish the regular season at 9-2. Ehrhardt connected for 520 yards passing in a 45-38 win over Lehigh. It was November 16, 1985 when the Rams hosted the Huskies with an undefeated Yankee Conference season hanging in the balance, and after Ehrhardt hit for two first quarter TD passes and a 14-0 lead, it looked like Rhode Island was in control. Connecticut responded with five straight touchdowns and a 35-14 lead. At the half, the Rams trailed 42-28. The URI defense responded in the second half by shutting down the Husky attack while Ehrhardt continued to work his magic as he tossed four more touchdown passes after the break and the Rams rolled to a 56-42 win and the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA playoffs.

Ehrhardt’s 566 yards passing set a new school standard as were his eight touchdown passes and his .667 passing percentage. Forster, who was named to the Yankee Conference


Ehrhardt was a two-time associated Press All-America selection.


all-time team, caught 16 passes for 205 yards and Reilly hauled in nine passes for 204 yards in the game.

“That was a memorable game,” said a modest Ehrhardt, “because we fell behind by 21 points and came back and won to have an undefeated conference season.”

Rhode Island opened the playoffs with a 35-27 win over Akron in Kingston and Ehrhardt was sizzling as he completed a school record 43 passes. In round two, the Rhode Island signal-caller was picked off six times in a 59-15 loss to Furman. He completed 39 of a record 78 attempts, but the interceptions, of which one was returned for a touchdown, led to the end of the season and Ehrhardt’s impressive career.

“It was great experience,” Ehrhardt, the only Rhode Island football player ever to have their uniform number (12) retired, said later. “As you get older and you work and have a family, you look back and appreciate it. That was really neat and I was lucky to experience it and we were fortunate to have a great team.”

A great team led by a great player which left great memories and set a few records

along the way.

URI legend - Frank Keaney

When most people think of Frank Keaney, they remember racehorse basketball, fast-breaking offenses and the Rams piling up victory after victory on the hardwood. But Keaney spent 21 years (1920-40) as Rhode Island’s head football coach, as well. He is the school’s second winningest coach registering 70 victories during his tenure. Inheriting a team that had posted a 0-7-1 record in 1919, he sought to rebuild the Rams, a process that would take three years. From 1929-36, Rhode Island posted winning records in seven of eight seasons, going 37-26-4 (.582) over that span.

His biggest win on the gridiron came on Oct. 5, 1935 when the Rams battled powerful Brown. The Rams had lost to the Bears 23 straight times and were shutout in the first

13 games between the two teams. Such was the Rams’ record entering the contest against their intrastate rival. As coach

Frank Keaney led his charges onto the Brown Stadium gridiron in from of 15,000 fans, a chorus of whistles and catcalls greeted their new Keaney Blue uniforms and white Kangaroo leather shoes, probably the first football team ever to be so attired.

As usual, Brown was favored against the Rams. The Rams had lost their first two games of the season without even scoring a point. Rhode Island lost the season-opener, 32-0, at Holy Cross before falling, 7-0, at Maine a week later. The game was the season-opener for Brown.

Brown had 80 players in uniform while the Rams dressed just 13. Despite their decided underdog status, Keaney had his team prepared for coach D.O. McLaughry’s Brown squad. The game was a thriller that is still talked about today as one of the greatest games ever

between the two state teams.Rhode Island marched 94 yards for a score in the first quarter and hit pay dirt on a nifty

gallop by Bob Mudge to put the Rams ahead, 13-0, at halftime. Brown rallied and scored on a 65-yard lateral play in the third quarter to cut the lead to 13-7. But the stubborn Ram defense was never again threatened and a late interception by Justin McCarthy assured a victory for the Rams.

Pandemonium broke loose when the game ended. Keaney was carried the length of the field by his ecstatic players and the Rhode Island faithful. The victory celebration over the

Ivy League power lasted several days with a dance celebration at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, a campus rally on the Quad and a full Monday holiday for the entire college courtesy of college president, Carl Woodward.

A portly, wide-faced Irishman, Keaney belonged to the old fashioned school of coaching that stressed character over technique. “My psychology of it is that you’ve got to feel victory if you’re going to win,” he declared. To his players, he was fond of emphasizing the difference between Will to Win and Love to Lose. “As far as techniques of the game, he was probably the worst coach I ever had,” admitted one player. “But as far as being able to psyche teams up and get them ready for games, he was super. He had a great way with all his players, from the substitute to the star.”

To compensate for football teams that lacked size and number, Keaney stressed


Tom Ehrhardt led the Rams to consecutive NCAA Playoff berths in 1984 and 1985.

Frank Keaney is second in URI history with 70 wins.

Keaney's Rams won six games in 1933 and 1934.


conditioning above all else, seeking both to outlast opponents and to minimize injuries. His players were expected to play every minute of every game.

Impatient with the conservative style of play then in fashion, he searched for ways to open up the game. In football he was one of the

first to employ the double wing formation, running it with double and triple backfield lateral plays that flabbergasted coaches who shrank from any thrown ball as if it were a live grenade. His baseball teams ran opponents dizzy. The fast break was but the logical extension of this impulse to basketball.

That Keaney cared more for the opinion of the fans than of his peers was made evident when he advised his fellow coaches at a New York luncheon, “Give the crowds action. If some coach puts up a screwy defense, use a screwier offense. Then if you lose, pivot and go home.” To critics of his style he said simply, “We don’t say we’re right, but you’ve got to stop us.”

During his long coaching and teaching tenure at Rhode Island - spanning more than four decades from the 1920s to the late 1940s - Keaney was constantly experimenting with new ideas both as a coach and as a chemist, as well as a foot hardener suitable, a potent-smelling lineament for aches and pains and distinctive school color “Keaney Blue,” also known as “Rhody Blue.”

Before Keaney concocted his special shade of powdery blue, Rhode Island’s colors had been white and royal blue. But Keaney, after spending considerable time mixing a variety of blue and white paints together in his on-campus laboratory, came up with his special shade of blue - a light, soft tint all but the same color as the University of North Carolina’s. Later, after Keaney Gym was finished in 1953, Keaney set up a small lab in a third floor room - now the football player’s lounge - in the southwestern corner of the building where he refined the color to match his exacting specifications.

But Keaney had something more; a restless imagination and a flair for showmanship. The fast break in basketball was not the only product of his maverick genius; there was a touch of originality in everything he did. A native of Boston, Keaney graduated from Bates in 1911. He played professional baseball and coached high school before coming to Rhode Island in 1920 as athletic director, coach of all sports and chemistry instructor. Later he even produced a light blue dye, known as “Keaney blue,” a color his teams wore in place of the school’s official color, royal blue.

In 28 years as Rhode Island’s legendary basketball coach, Keaney compiled an impressive 401-124 record, but the numbers scarcely measure his achievement. He turned a game of patterned plodding into forty minutes of frenzied excitement while overflow crowds, delighted at the spectacle of racehorse basketball, howled their approval. In an era when most teams did well to score 40 or 50 points a game, Rhode Island averaged nearly 80 and routinely led the nation in scoring.

Keaney retired from active coaching in 1948 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960, the Hall of Fame’s second year. Frank William Keaney passed away on Oct. 10, 1967 at the age of 81.

URI legend - Hal Kopp

In May, 1998, Hal Kopp, the winningest football coach in Rhode Island annals, passed away at the age of 89. Never far from the gridiron, he served as an honorary assistant coach and helped broadcast Rhode Island football games on radio well into his 80s and was a regular at Ram football games until 1997.

Growing up at Perry Point, Md., Kopp was exposed to the world of athletics at an early age. Perry Point was a government reservation hospital complex, and at the end of World War I, the reservation employed Kopp’s father and kept young Hal busy in the recreation program.

He learned to play baseball, mostly because he was the only one who would agree to crouch down behind the plate and catch the patients who were pitching. Many of the patients were shell-shocked from the war, others had lung damage from mustard gas attacks, and others were unbalanced for one reason or another. But every afternoon during the summer, the instructors would be out on the field working with the patients. And soon Kopp became a regular in their games.

In high school, he also took up basketball, soccer and football, and it wasn’t long before people started noticing the talented halfback’s gift for the gridiron game. By his senior year, he decided he would attend Western Maryland and play his college ball for coach Dick Harlow. A rugged 200-pound running back, Kopp gained more yards against archrival Maryland in his sophomore season than the entire Terrapin backfield. In his senior season, he was selected to play in the very first North-South game, held in Baltimore Stadium. Aligned with players from Mississippi, Alabama and throughout the deep South, Kopp and his teammates practiced for one week before the big game. The day of the game, it snowed six inches. For many of his teammates it was the first time they had seen snow.

A good spring on the baseball diamond helped him garner a brief stint with the Washington Senators after college, but after bouncing around the baseball ranks, he stumbled upon a coaching opportunity with a former Harlow assistant, Jimmy Dunn at Northeastern, and decided to take it. He had

married his college sweetheart, June, and the couple had one son, Karl.His career in coaching was just beginning to take hold when Pearl Harbor was bombed,

plunging the United States into World War II. Kopp was called up as a first lieutenant and saw combat during the allied invasion of North Africa. But his coaching career was not on hold for the duration. Due to a stateside assignment, he was able to return home to serve as assistant coach at Brown and later at Connecticut, while head of the ROTC program. After the war ended, Kopp was discharged from the Army and joined Harlow as a line coach at Harvard. After Harlow’s retirement from coaching, Kopp spent a spring with Connecticut, before moving on to Yale. When Connecticut began looking for a new head coach, Kopp believed his time had come. What he didn’t know was that a former teammate would beat him out for the job.

But all was not lost. At the same time, Rhode Island, a small school whose football program was third in athletic importance to basketball and track, was shopping for a head coach. Kopp was offered the job at his first meeting with Vice President Dr. Harold Browning. In his book, “I’ve Seen It All,” Kopp writes about his first few months at the URI helm: “With the help of the alumni secretary, Charlie Hall, the student body and Dr. Browning, I was able to offer a few scholarships to some of the Rhode Island high school players.

“I want to say that I had 21 boys and 19 sea gulls at our first spring practice. Despite my small squad, we did well the first year. In fact, we beat the University of Connecticut. It was great satisfaction to me — beating (new Connecticut head coach) Art Valpey. While I was at Rhode Island, my teams never lost to Connecticut, Massachusetts or Northeastern. We also won three out of four games with Brown.”

After a 3-5 season in 1950, Kopp was called back to serve in the Korean War. Reassured his job would be secure when he returned, he reported to Fort Benning, Ga., where he became the athletic officer of the Combat Training Center and coached football and basketball. When the time came for duty assignments, Kopp was sent to Bremerhaven, Germany to begin a football program for morale purposes. When he returned to URI in 1952, he had only a week to get his players ready for the annual Brown game. His team defeated Brown for the first time in 14 years, and Kopp was on his way. The 7-1 record of his 1952 team was the best in school history.

He spent five seasons at the URI helm, and compiled a 28-11-2 record, the best winning percentage in URI coaching history. He was named the Rhode Island Coach of the Year three times and the New England Coach of the Year in 1955, after piloting his team through an undefeated regular season and then to a postseason game at the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Ind.

In 1956, Kopp left Rhode Island to become the first non-Mormon head coach at Brigham Young. After three seasons there, the Mormon lifestyle and the Hal Kopp philosophies were blending like oil and water. He knew his contract would not be renewed and so he accepted a position at Boston University as a line coach.

After coaching eight colleges, two all-star games, and two army teams, Kopp decided in 1964 to give high school coaching a try. He was just as successful in the high school ranks, putting together an undefeated season in 1965 and continuing until the 1971 season. Then, he decided to retire from coaching. But giving up an addiction cold turkey is never easy; and so when Bentley called to say they were going to start a program, the renowned coach knew he had to help. He spent the next five seasons developing Bentley into a solid Division III program.

June and Hal both retired from the Massachusetts school system at the same time, moving back home to Narragansett. But he still couldn’t stay away from the game — after all, it had been his life for nearly 70 years. In 1993, he surpassed Amos Alonzo Stagg’s longevity record as the oldest active coach in college football.

In his own words, Hal Kopp’s career was symbolized by “So many friends. So many victories. So much in the ‘win’ column, after all.”


Hal Kopp's .707 winning percentage is the best in URI history.


All-Conference First TeamName Conference Year(s)Pat Abbruzzi ........................ Yankee ...............................1951-54Jim Adams ............................ Yankee .....................................1957Bobby Apgar ....................... Yankee ...............................1994-95Charlie Babbitt .................... Yankee .....................................1978Dustin Bayer .....................Atlantic 10 ............................2003-04Dick Bell ................................ Yankee .....................................1977Estes Benson ....................... Yankee .....................................1978Roland Bettez ...................... Yankee .....................................1960Charlie Bounty .................... Yankee ...............................1983-84Dustin Breen ........................ Yankee .....................................1971Bill Britt .................................. Yankee ...............................1974-75Mark Brockwell ................... Yankee .....................................1984Don Brown ........................... Yankee .....................................1958Joe Buesing.......................... Yankee ...............................1963-64Cy Butler................................ Yankee .....................................1995Brad Carson ......................... Yankee .....................................1985Joe Casey .............Atlantic 10/CAA Football ..2005-06/2007Mike Cassidy ........................ Yankee .....................................1985Jason Christopher ..........Atlantic 10 ..................................2007Lou D'Agostino ................... Yankee .....................................1995Pete Dalpe ............................ Yankee .....................................1955Tony DeLuca ........................ Yankee ...............................1982-83Mark Dennen ...................... Yankee .....................................1983Larry Deschene .................. Yankee .....................................1952Ed DiSimone ........................ Yankee .....................................1955Bob DiSpirito ....................... Yankee .....................................1952Kyle Duval ............................. Yankee .....................................1976Tom Ehrhardt ...................... Yankee ...............................1984-85Raji El-Amin ......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2006Jason Elwell ......................... Yankee .....................................1995Frank Ferrara........................ Yankee .....................................1998Frank Finizio ........................ Yankee .....................................1961Paul Fitzgerald .................... Yankee .....................................1955Brian Forster ........................ Yankee ...............................1984-85Steve Furness ...................... Yankee .....................................1971Steve Garofalo .................... Yankee .....................................1973Tony Garofalo ...................... Yankee .....................................1993Frank Geiselman ................ Yankee ...............................1966-67Bryan Giannecchini ..... CAA Football ...............................2007Charlie Gibbons ................. Yankee .....................................1955Henry Hill .............................. Yankee .....................................1973Tony Hill ................................ Yankee ...............................1983-84Terry Hogg ........................... Yankee .....................................1967Chuck Hunt .......................... Yankee .....................................1955Brent Kaufman.................... Yankee .....................................1967Everett Keene ...................... Yankee .....................................1968John Klumbanch ................ Yankee .....................................1993Ken Kuzman ........................ Yankee ...............................1967-68Shane Laisle ......................Atlantic 10 ............................2002-03Bob Linder ............................ Yankee .....................................1972Bob Mairs .............................. Yankee .....................................1957Tom Marhefka ..................... Yankee .....................................1978Mike Matkevitch ................ Yankee .....................................1974

Sylvester 'Molly' McGee ... Yankee ...............................1972-73Rich Moser ........................... Yankee .....................................1976Frank Morey ......................... Yankee .....................................1959Dennis Murphy ................... Yankee ...............................1966-67Tom Mut ................................ Yankee ...............................1981-82Dick Narcessian .................. Yankee .....................................1970Bob Novelli ........................... Yankee .....................................1955Dave O'Donnell .................. Yankee .....................................1965Tony Ozello .......................... Yankee .....................................1976Roger Pearson..................... Yankee ...............................1957-58Rich Pelzer ............................ Yankee ...............................1981-82Bernie Pina ........................... Yankee .....................................1953Bill Poland............................. Yankee ......................... 1957; 1959Dameon Reilly..................... Yankee ...............................1983-85Rich Remondino ................ Yankee .....................................1974Barney Rinaldo ................... Yankee .....................................1981Darren Rizzi .......................... Yankee .....................................1992Jim Roberson ...................... Yankee .....................................1982Bob Seccareccia ................. Yankee .....................................1983Leroy Shaw ........................... Yankee .....................................1979Pete Sinagra ......................... Yankee .....................................1978Lance Small .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001Brian Smith .......................... Yankee .....................................1995Kevin Smith.......................... Yankee ...............................1988-90Bob Soderlund ................... Yankee .....................................1981Tom Spann ........................... Yankee .....................................1976Leon Spinney ...................... Yankee .....................................1966Greg Sturgis ......................... Yankee .....................................1984Dennis Talbot ...................... Yankee .....................................1982Tony Tetro ............................. Yankee ...............................1962-63Skip Thomas ........................ Yankee .....................................1993John Thompson ................. Yankee .....................................1966Steve Tosches ...................... Yankee .....................................1978Miguel Viera......................Atlantic 10 ..................................1998Matt Walker .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................1998Dave Wienke........................ Yankee .....................................1983Bob White ............................. Yankee .....................................1985Jeffrey Williams................... Yankee ...............................1975-76Ray Williams ......................... Yankee .....................................1985Cal Whitfield ........................ Yankee .....................................1981Wendall Williams ............Atlantic 10 ..................................2003Wayne Zdanowicz ............. Yankee .....................................1965

All-Conference Second TeamName Conference Year(s)Chris Cassara ....................... Yankee .....................................1991Lou D'Agostino ................... Yankee .....................................1994Peter Doremus .................... Yankee .....................................1990Frank Ferrara........................ Yankee .....................................1996Bryan Giannecchini ........Atlantic 10 ..................................2006Teddy Gibbons ................Atlantic 10 ..................................2004Virgil Gray ..........................Atlantic 10 ..................................2006Jason Ham .........................Atlantic 10 ..................................2004Mark Hayes .......................Atlantic 10 ............................2001-02Rich Heffernan .................... Yankee .....................................1990

Ron Iannonti .....................Atlantic 10 ............................1998-99James Jenkins ..........Yankee/Atlantic 10 ........1996/1998-99Ki'Ameer Johnson ....... CAA Football ...............................2007Shane Laisle ......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2002Shamel Lewis ...................Atlantic 10 ............................2005-06Phil Mulcahey ..................... Yankee .....................................1986Paul Picciotti .....................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001Lance Small .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001Kevin Smith.......................... Yankee .....................................1987Mark Stolte ..................... CAA Football ...............................2007Shane Vergari ...................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001Miquel Viera......................Atlantic 10 ..................................1997Chuck Wesley ...................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001Wendall Williams ............Atlantic 10 ..................................2002Fearon Wright ..................Atlantic 10 ..................................2000

All-Conference Third TeamName Conference Year(s)Cy Butler............................... Yankee ...............................1994-95Jason Ham .........................Atlantic 10 ..................................2003Mary Hayes .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2000Chris Hixson ......................... Yankee ......................... 1993; 1995David Jamison .................Atlantic 10 ............................2000-01James Jenkins ..................Atlantic 10 ..................................1997LaJhon Jones ............Yankee/Atlantic 10 .............. 1995/1997Shaka Martin ....................Atlantic 10 ..................................2002Nelson Martinez ..............Atlantic 10 ..................................1997Chris Orlando ...................... Yankee .....................................1995Paul Picciotti .....................Atlantic 10 .......................1999-2000Will Santi ....................Yankee/Atlantic 10 .............. 1996/1997Lance Small .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001Marc Zlotek .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2000Brandon Wenz .................Atlantic 10 ..................................2004

American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America

Name Year(s)Tom Ehrhardt ...........................................................................1985Rich Pelzer .................................................................................1982Darren Rizzi ...............................................................................1992

associated Press All-AmericaName Team Year(s)Dustin Bayer .................... Third Team..................................2004Mike Cassidy ............Honorable Mention .........................1985Tom Ehrhardt ................... First Team.............................1984-85Brian Forster ..................... First Team.............................1984-85Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992Bob White .......................... First Team...................................1985

Boston Gridiron Club Coach of the YearName Conference Year(s)Bob Griffin ............................ Yankee .....................................1985

URI athletic & academic Honors

Jim Adams earned First Team All-Yankee Conference honors in 1957.

Joe Casey is a three-time first team all-conference selection.

Tom Ehrhardt garnered First Team All-Yankee Conference honors in 1984-85.


Conference All-AcademicName Conference Year(s)Eric Cervone .....................Atlantic 10 ..................................2006Fran Dempsey ..........A-10/CAA Football .............. 2006/2007Kyle Edwards ....................Atlantic 10 ............................2003-06Mizraim Farley .................Atlantic 10 ..................................2006Colin Gallagher ................Atlantic 10 ..................................2006Bryan Giannecchini ..A-10/CAA Football .............. 2006/2007Damien Gresko ........A-10/CAA Football ........2004-06/2007Shane Laisle ......................Atlantic 10 ............................2002-03Shamel Lewis ...................Atlantic 10 ............................2005-06Josh Mason .......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2005Steve Moll ..................A-10/CAA Football ................... 2006/07D.J. Stefkovich ........................ CAA ........................................2007Mark Stolte ................A-10/CAA Football .............. 2006/2007Greg Wicks .............................. CAA ........................................2007Drew Owens .....................Atlantic 10 ..................................2004

Conference Coach of the YearName Conference Year(s)Bob Griffin ............................ Yankee ...............................1984-85Tim Stowers ......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2001

Conference Player/Rookie of the Week (Off. - O, Def. - D, Spec. Teams - ST, Rookie - R)Name Conference O/D/ST/R DateJustin Anselmo ......... Yankee....................... ST ............. 9/10/05Bobby Apgar ............. Yankee........................O .............. 10/5/93Michael Bland ........... Atlantic 10 ............... ST ............. 9/10/05Joe Casey .................... Atlantic 10 ................ R .............. 9/19/05Joe Casey .................... Atlantic 10 ................ R ............10/23/05Lou D'Agostino ......... Yankee........................ D .............. 9/26/93Alfonso Dormu ......... Atlantic 10 ............... ST ...........10/23/05Raji El-Amin ............... Atlantic 10 ............... ST ............. 9/11/06Frank Ferrara.............. Yankee........................ R .................9/3/94Colin Gallagher ......... Atlantic 10 ............... ST ...........10/29/06Luther Green ............. Atlantic 10 ................O .................9/8/01Chris Hixson ............... Yankee........................ R .............. 9/12/93Chris Hixson ............... Yankee........................ R .............. 9/26/93Paul Picciotti .............. Atlantic 10 ................ D .................9/8/01Calvin Poole ............... Atlantic 10 ............... ST ................9/1/02Raquan Pride ............. Atlantic 10 ................ D .............. 10/2/06Wendall Williams ..... Atlantic 10 ............... ST ............. 9/27/03

Conference Postseason HonorsName Conference Award Year(s)Joe Casey ............... Atlantic 10 ... Rookie of the Year .....2005Chris Hixson ..............Yankee ....... Rookie of the Year .....1993Dameon Reilly..........Yankee ....... Rookie of the Year .....1983Wendall Williams Atlantic 10 ...Special Teams POY ....2003

Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-AmericaName Team Year(s)Darren Rizzi ...................... Third Team..................................1991Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992

ECAC Rookie of the YearName YearChris Hixson ..............................................................................1993

ECAC Weekly Honor RollName Award DateTony Garofalo ..................................................................... 9/12/03Luther Green .........................................................................9/8/01Chris Hixson ............. Rookie of the Week ................... 9/12/93Frantzy Jordain ................................................................10/16/93

EsPN the Magazine All-AcademicName Team Year(s)Steve Moll .........................First Team District 1 .................2005

EsPN the Magazine/CoSIDA All-AcademicName Team Year(s)Bryan Giannecchini .......First Team District 1 .................2007Damien Gresko ...............Second Team All-America ....2006-07Damien Gresko ...............First Team District I ............2006-07

ESPN/Usa today Special Teams Player of the Week

Name DateShane Laisle ........................................................................ 10/8/03

Football News All-AmericaName Team Year(s)Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992

Kodak All-America HonorsName Team Year(s)Tony DeLuca ..................... First Team................................... 1983Tom Ehrhardt ................... First Team.............................1984-85Brian Forster ..................... First Team.............................1984-85Rich Pelzer ......................... First Team...................................1982Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992Kevin Smith....................... First Team...................................1990

Kodak Coach of the YearName Conference Year(s)Bob Griffin ............................ Yankee ...............................1984-85

New England Football WritersAll-New England

Name Year(s)Raji El-Amin ..............................................................................2006Frank Ferrara.............................................................................1996Virgil Gray ..................................................................................2006Shane Laisle ..............................................................................2003Lance Small ...............................................................................2000

New England Football Coach of the YearName Year(s)Bob Griffin ...........................................................................1984-85

New England Football WritersGolden Helmet Award

Name DateLuther Green .........................................................................9/8/01

Pre-Season All-ConferenceName Conference Year(s)John Campeni ..................Atlantic 10 ..................................2002Joe Casey ........................ CAA Football .........................2007-08Bryan Giannecchini ..... CAA Football ...............................2007Shane Laisle ......................Atlantic 10 ..................................2002Wendall Williams ............Atlantic 10 ..................................2002

sporting News All-AmericaName Team Year(s)Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992Miquel Viera................... Second Team ...............................1998

the sports Network Pre-Season All-America Honors

Name Team Year(s)Joe Casey ........................ Second Team ...............................2007

the sports Network All-America HonorsName Team Year(s)Cy Butler............................ Third Team..................................1995Joe Casey .......................... Third Team..................................2007Lou D'Agostino ............. Second Team ...............................1995Frank Ferrara.................. Second Team ...............................1998Brian Forster ..................... First Team.............................1984-85Darren Rizzi .................... Second Team ...............................1991Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992Lance Smalls .................. Second Team ...............................2001Brian Smith ...................... Third Team..................................1995Kevin Smith..............Honorable Mention .........................1988

RI Words Unlimited Coach of the YearName Conference Year(s)Bob Griffin ............................ Yankee ...............................1984-85

Yankee Conference 50th Anniversary Team(named in 1996)

Name Pos.Brian Forster .................................................................................. TESteve Furness ............................................................................... DEKevin Smith................................................................................... DBJeffrey Williams............................................................................ OT

Verizon All-AcademicName Team Year(s)Shane Laisle .... District 1 University Division ...............2001

Walter Camp All-AmericaName Team Year(s)Darren Rizzi ....................... First Team...................................1992

URI athletic & academic Honors

Paul Fitzgerald was a 1955 First Team All-Yankee Conference selection.

Roger Pearson was a two-time First Team All-Yankee Conference selection.

Leroy Shaw was a First Team All-Yankee Conference selection in 1979.

2008 University of Rhode Island Football90 www.GoRhody.com PB

Name (Pos.) URI Team (League) Pro Seasons Duke Abbruzzi (RB) 1938-41 Montreal Alouettes (CFL) 1941-43 Pat Abbruzzi (RB) 1951-54 Montreal Alouettes (CFL) 1956-59 Alan Abruse (OT) 1960-63 Los Angeles Rams (NFL) 1963 John Bush (C) 1995-98 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 2000 Cy Butler (WR) 1993-95 New Haven Ninjas (Arena) 2002 Mohegan Wolves (Arena2) 2003 Dan Callahan (P) 1973 New England Patriots (NFL) 1974 Washington Redskins (NFL) 1975 Jacksonville Express (WFL) 1975 Guy Carbone (DB) 1982-85 New England Patriots (NFL) 1986 Mike Cassidy (DB) 1983-85 New England Patriots (NFL) 1986 Armand Cure (RB) 1941-43 Baltimore Colts (NFL) 1943-44 Lou D’Agostino (DL) 1993-95 New York Jets (NFL) 1996 Chy Davidson (WR) 1978-79 New England Patriots 1981-82 Tony DeLuca (DT) 1980-83 Buffalo Bills (NFL) 1987 T.J. DelSanto (WR) 1980-82 Philadelphia Stars (USFL) 1983 Tom Ehrhardt (QB) 1984-85 New York Jets (NFL) 1986 Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) 1986 Frank Ferrara (DT) 1994-96;1998 New York Giants (NFL) 1999-01 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 2002 Brian Forster (WR) 1983-85, 1987 New England Patriots (NFL) 1988 Greg Fournier (OL) 1991-94 Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) 1995 Steve Furness (DT) 1969-71 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1971-80 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) 1981 Detroit Lions (NFL) 1981 Frank Geiselman (FL) 1966-67 Green Bay (NFL) 1968 Charlie Gibbons (DL) 1954-56 Montreal Alouettes (CFL) 1956 Dick Grann (C) 1953-55 Baltimore Colts (NFL) 1955 Brian Hunte (LB) 1992-93 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1996 Eric Jenkins (DE) 1992-94 Montreal Alouettes (CFL) 1996 James Jenkins (RB) 1996-98 Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 2000 LaJhon Jones (LB) 1994-97 San Diego Chargers (NFL) 1998 New Haven Ninjas (Arena) 2002 Chris Keneally (OL) 1992-94 Ottawa Roughriders (CFL) 1995-96 Ken Mastrole (QB) 1999 Orlando Predators (Arena) 2001 Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europe) 2002 Molly McGee (FB) 1971-73 Atlanta Falcons (NFL) 1974 Ottawa Rough Riders (CFL) 1975 Sask. Roughriders (CFL) 1976-79 Rich Moser (RB) 1975-77 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1978-79 Miami Dolphins (NFL) 1980 Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL) 1982-83 Tom Mut (WR) 1978, 1980-82 New England Patriots (NFL) 1983 Rich Pelzer (OT) 1980-82 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 1982 Jim Pratt (WR) 1985-86 New England Steamrollers (Arena) 1988Raquan Pride (DB) 2003-06 Manchester Wolves (AFL2) 2008 Dameon Reilly (WR) 1983-85 Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1986 Miami Dolphins (NFL) 1987 Darren Rizzi (TE) 1988-92 Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 1993Howie Small (C) 1950-52 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) 1967 Lance Small (DB) 1998-01 Mohegan Wolves (Arena) 2002 Kevin Smith (CB) 1987-90 Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1991 Dennis Talbot (DE) 1979-82 Chicago Fire (USFL) 1983 Shane Vergari (C) 1998-01 Mohegan Wolves (Arena ) 2002 Chuck Wesley (DB) 1998-01 Buffalo Destroyers (Arena2) 2003 Bob White (OT) 1982-85 New York Jets (NFL) 1986 Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 1987-89 New England Patriots (NFL) 1990 Calvin Whitfield (CB) 1979-82 Montreal Alouettes (CFL) 1983 Buffalo Bills (NFL) 1984 Jeff Williams (OT) 1973-76 Los Angeles Rams (NFL) 1977-78 Washington Redskins (NFL) 1979-80 San Diego Chargers (NFL) 1981 Chicago Bears (NFL) 1982 Ray Williams (DB) 1983-86 New England Patriots (NFL) 1987 Wendall Williams (RB) 2000-03 San Francisco 49ers (NFL) 2004-05

Cal Whitfield

Wendall Williams

Dameon Reilly

LaJhon Jones

Steve Furness

Tom Ehrhardt

Dan Callahan

Rams in the Pros

Brian Forster

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