University of Rhode Island - Renaissance / Grist Yearbook (Kingston, RI)

Page 30 text:

BASKETBALL On November 29th, Rhode Island State ' s rampaging Rams opened another of their amazing basketball seasons. A1J during the war. Coach Keaney turned out championship teams. In 1943 T when our male enrollment was at its lowest point, Pathe News put our fast game on film, and it was viewed all over the world. In their first game of the 1945 season, we handed a sound defeat to CASH of Qu onset, 104-44- The first and highest to- tal of points were made by Ken Good- win, a 6-foot 4-inch freshman. The next two games were routine for the high scoring Rams, as they defeated the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 119 to 38, and a CASU team from the carrier USS Princeton, 84 to 45. Coach Keaney pulled a “never before done,” as he cheerfully coached both teams in the fomer game, until the tardy appearance of the M, M, A, coach. The fourth game, with the Otis Field CASU unit, looked tight for a while, un- til Captain Ernie Oalverley with accu- rate push shots or swift passes put us well in the lead at the final tally, 84-64, At our next game, with the Qu onset Flyers, the rooters nearly tore the roof

Page 29 text:

HEY, GUV: i T ' S SEAL Charlie mack ay barney 8URK6 SULLIVAN A TEAM OF SUSS WALKED THRU THE- BOSTONIANS FOR THE FINAL SCORE “IORR ISSEY ' S PASSES TO CURTIS CONSTITUTED THE TERRIERS ' BEST OFFENSE vewto scored on an Qi yard run but IT WAS NULLIFIED by ft CLIPPING ILL KRAMER WAS OUTSTANDING IN THE STATE LINE PRETTIEST PLAY OF THE FRAY = SCAT BACK FROM SAUGATUCK WHO PACKED TH5 RAMS TQ VICTORY OVER eqston university 50-0 THERE WAS REALLY NOTHING TO REMIND ONE OF WARNER KEANEY IN THE RAM EFFORTS TO MAKE CONVERSIONS RODERICK TO WIKSER TO JONES FOR A YARDS FOOTBALL The Rams, idle since 1942, came spoil- ta neon sly to life as the 1945 season be- gan. With a group of quickly trained vet- erans and undergraduates, they defeated the University of Maine after a hard fought game. Coming from behind at the half, a brilliant 58-yard run back by Elliot Johnson and -a 25-yard field goal by Joe Ventetuolo enabled the Rams to make a successful return to the gridiron, and set up a hard won 10-7 victory over the hus- ky Maine team. Our second game with Rutgers Uni- versity proved we were over our heads, as we tasted defeat, 39-7, The third and last game was at King- ston with Boston University. Inspired by a host of Rhode Island rooters, many of whom were seeing the Rams in action for the first time, they proved able to dish it out as well as absorb punish- merit. Every man on the squad helped to build up the grand score of R, L 30, B. U, 0! Slim Roderick proved to be R body ' s aerial artist in this game, Ilis passes, combined with brilliant footwork of Elliot Johnson, sewed up this game. Three of our players made honorable mention on the All-New England team. They were Sel Vento, Roderick- and Na- higian. The brief but successful return of the pre-war spirit and fight on the gridiron gives promise for future Rhode Island football teams.

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The GRISTETTE The Rams will be aiming for the glass backboards of Madison Square Garden, when they meet St John ' s on December 15. We will be renewing another vigorous tradition, as a good part of the college troops to the big city to watch our team in action. In 1945 we lost a heartbreak- ing game to St. John ' s, but we were in- vited down again to two post-season tournaments. We may bow to a better team, but the plucky spirit behind our unique style will renew our pride in the team and in their coach. Our hats are off to Coach Frank Keaney and the men he builds! off old Rodman Hall. All through the game the scores were nearly tied, and several times we dropped behind. Five minutes be fore, the final gun, Calverley got his second wind and with the whole team op- erating as one, tied the score at 63-63, The ball was tossed out, and when the smoke had cleared, there was a minute and a half left, and we were behind 66-67! Suddenly a long swisher of Calveiiey ' s rolled around and dropped through, and the game was ours! The Flyers showed us some excel- lent shooting. The lead changed six times, and the score at the half was 34-34. 34 -