Ryan Center
Encyclopedia
Ryan Center is a 7,657-seat multi-purpose arena
in Kingston, Rhode Island
. The arena opened in 2002 as a replacement for the old Keaney Gymnasium
, which was built when the school's needs were for a much smaller student population.. It is home to the University of Rhode Island
Rams basketball
. The building is named for Thomas M Ryan, Class of 1975, CEO of Rhode Island-based CVS Pharmacy and lead benefactor of the arena. The general manager is Leah Becki.
The building opened in June, 2002, five months ahead of schedule. The first game in the arena was a women's basketball game against Kent State University
on Nov. 22, 2002, and the first men's game was an upset win against USC
on Nov. 26.
The building is recognizable for its three corner towers, which were modeled after lighthouses. (The fourth corner would be where the building meets the Tootell Physical Education Center.) It stands directly next to Meade Stadium
, and the original field house and west (visitor's side) grandstands were demolished to make way for the building. There are seven luxury boxes that can view both the basketball floor and the football stadium outside, and new grandstands were built in 2006.
The University of Rhode Island opened the doors to the $54 million, 7,657-seat Thomas M. Ryan Center in June 2002 and fans have flocked to Kingston for men's and women's basketball games and several big name concerts in the state-of-the-art arena.
The women's basketball team won the first-ever regular season game in the Ryan Center 53-39 over Kent State on Nov. 22, 2002 and four days later the men made their official debut in the building with a 73-71 overtime upset over the University of Southern California. Ever since, the Ryan Center has been a hard place for opponents to play, with the men's team drawing a standing room only crowd of 8,121 against No. 2-ranked Pittsburgh in 2002, and the women's team setting its attendance record with 3,402 fans against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 16. Both the men's and women's teams more than doubled their attendance from the last year in Keaney Gymnasium.
The building also overlooks Meade Stadium
, where the URI Rams football team plays. The building serves as an indoor watching area, and has luxury boxes overlooking the field.
Arena
An arena is an enclosed area, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theater, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the...
in Kingston, Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island
Kingston is a village and a census-designated place in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States, and the site of the main campus of the University of Rhode Island. Much of the village center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Kingston Village Historic...
. The arena opened in 2002 as a replacement for the old Keaney Gymnasium
Keaney Gymnasium
Keaney Gymnasium is a multi-purpose arena in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. The arena opened in 1953 and currently seats 3,385 . It was home to the University of Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team before it moved to Ryan Center in 2002. Currently, the volleyball team calls Keaney home...
, which was built when the school's needs were for a much smaller student population.. It is home to the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
Rams basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. The building is named for Thomas M Ryan, Class of 1975, CEO of Rhode Island-based CVS Pharmacy and lead benefactor of the arena. The general manager is Leah Becki.
The building opened in June, 2002, five months ahead of schedule. The first game in the arena was a women's basketball game against Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
on Nov. 22, 2002, and the first men's game was an upset win against USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
on Nov. 26.
The building is recognizable for its three corner towers, which were modeled after lighthouses. (The fourth corner would be where the building meets the Tootell Physical Education Center.) It stands directly next to Meade Stadium
Meade Stadium
Meade Stadium is a 5,180-seat multi-purpose stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island. It is home to the University of Rhode Island Rams football team. The facility opened in 1928. It was renamed in 1936 to honor John E...
, and the original field house and west (visitor's side) grandstands were demolished to make way for the building. There are seven luxury boxes that can view both the basketball floor and the football stadium outside, and new grandstands were built in 2006.
The University of Rhode Island opened the doors to the $54 million, 7,657-seat Thomas M. Ryan Center in June 2002 and fans have flocked to Kingston for men's and women's basketball games and several big name concerts in the state-of-the-art arena.
The women's basketball team won the first-ever regular season game in the Ryan Center 53-39 over Kent State on Nov. 22, 2002 and four days later the men made their official debut in the building with a 73-71 overtime upset over the University of Southern California. Ever since, the Ryan Center has been a hard place for opponents to play, with the men's team drawing a standing room only crowd of 8,121 against No. 2-ranked Pittsburgh in 2002, and the women's team setting its attendance record with 3,402 fans against St. Bonaventure on Jan. 16. Both the men's and women's teams more than doubled their attendance from the last year in Keaney Gymnasium.
The building
Rhode Island lighthouses were the inspiration for the design of the three towers, marking the North and South entrances of The Ryan Center. The interior reflects the warm earth tones to mimic the surrounding beach community. Standing 86 feet (26.2 m) high and located on the University of Rhode Island campus in scenic South County, the 200000 sq ft (18,580.6 m²). building is home to the URI Rams Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams.The building also overlooks Meade Stadium
Meade Stadium
Meade Stadium is a 5,180-seat multi-purpose stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island. It is home to the University of Rhode Island Rams football team. The facility opened in 1928. It was renamed in 1936 to honor John E...
, where the URI Rams football team plays. The building serves as an indoor watching area, and has luxury boxes overlooking the field.