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

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The GRISTETTE CROSS COUNTRY Only once in the last six years did Lit- tle Rhody relinquish its New England cross-country title — that was the year we did not compete! State’s outstanding dis- tance star, Bob Nichols, holds the individ- ual record, the best in 33 years of com- petition. State also holds the best score in the 1945-1946 season. Danny Cash- man, a veteran just out of a prisoner of war camp, proved that it can be done. . . . he was one of our top men. Another win- ning veteran on the team is Mike Tara- sevitch. Taking the first six places, State’s run- ners defeated the King’s Point Merchant Mariners by a perfect score. Conn. U. re- ceived a jolt when Rhody captured the first five places to win by a perfect score at Storrs. Northeastern had high hopes of winning the N. E. Cross Country crown, but Rhody ’s lowest team score in history showed them that we are as good in cross country as we are in basketball. In the IC4A meet in New York, Army took first with 34 points. Navy, however, had good luck and just beat us by three points. Our score was 66 a nd Navy’s was 63. Coach Tootell’s first man to finish was Frank Knight, who always comes through in the pinches. The freshman wonder, Rob Coutu, was close upon his heels. Norm Monks, one of the most con- sistent performers, suffered a twisted an- kle during the race but still managed to score for our team. RHODY ' S YACHT CLUB This fine club, another wartime revival, has added another contribution to Rhody’s sporting- fame. Starting from a small nucleus, it has developed into a very pop- ular club. Organized late in the Fall of 1945, and operating on a shoestring, it al- most won the New England Championship, being the first boat home from the M. L 1 course This victory was nullified, how- ever, when we were disqualified by a tech- nical foul, committed after we had crossed the finish line and won the race. Althou gh they did not win the championship, offi- cially, vve can be proud of the fact they are the best sailors and sportsmen in New England. From the start made by this group in 1945, we can look forward to ex- pect great things from it in later years.

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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 -

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INTRAMURAL SPORTS BASKETBALL The men of R. I. State are very proud of their intramural athletics .... just watch a game some time ! In the 1944-45 season, there were several teams contest- ing hotly for a trophy awarded to the in- tramural basketball champions. Although the Lambda Chi boys proved a late con- tender, they were a little too late and the highly spirited boys from Sigma Beta (Alpha Tau) won the title. “Peanuts ' Edwards of Sigma Reta was one of the outstanding players in the league; “Bag- gy” Sachs of Lambda Chi was right in there, too. Art Blazer and his A.E.Pi boys were always ready to upset any team that was off its guard. Those two scintillating basket wizards, Fred Pari and Fred Bruno of Beta Psi, were always a threat to any team that they played. SOFTBALL The summer of 1944 saw the most hotly contested intramural activity in many a long year at State. After a hectic sea- son of playing in which nearly every team was a leader at one time or another, the playoffs finally arrived. Alpha Tau, Beta Psi, and Tail Sigma were all in the playoffs. A feature of this playoff was the game that Sigma Beta won during the hurricane. It was finally rained out — by the hurricane. The umpires of any of these games were brave souls indeed. Beta Psi finally eme rged the victor and the trophy was received by “Rip” Nardone at an assembly. Two outstanding pitchers were Fred Pari of Beta Psi and Tom Falciglia of Al- pha Tau. Outstanding hitters were “Kid- gy” Catalfano, Beta Psi, and Joe Tavaras of Alpha Tau. A1 Nichols proved to be a good pitcher as well as a good infielder for Tau Sigma. Although A.E. Pi held the cellar position, their team was held to- gether by the superb pitching of Irving Kelman. They beat the champs (Beta Psi) twice 1 During the summer of 1945, a softball league was formed. The enrollment was low, however, due to the cessation of the accelerated program. The residents of Alpha Tau managed to take this league title. - §{ 36 }■ -