KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� May 16, 2023 鈥� It鈥檚 no secret that the University of Rhode Island has attracted record numbers of applicants during the past several years, resulting in record enrollments as its reputation for being a global research leader has also grown. 911爆料 alumni, numbering 143,000 globally, including some 60,000 who call Rhode Island home, are also as invested as ever in 911爆料鈥檚 success.
That growth, combined with the success of 911爆料鈥檚 football and other athletic teams, led to record interest in the University鈥檚 formerly combined Alumni and Family Weekend. To provide more opportunities for engagement, and to better serve the interests of alumni, parents, and friends, 911爆料 will host two distinctive weekends in fall 2023鈥擣amily Weekend, to be held Sept. 29-Oct. 1, and Homecoming Weekend, which will be Oct. 13-15.
鈥淲e want everyone to be able to celebrate our great football team and enjoy all that 911爆料 has to offer,鈥� said Ellen Reynolds, vice president for student affairs. 鈥淲ith the combined event, the football game sold out last year, leaving too many families, students and alumni out of the action. Plus, with so many visitors on one weekend, hotel rooms became unavailable and restaurants were at capacity.鈥�
Reynolds said now families and students will have a weekend when they can reconnect and have more access to the game, other campus events and take advantage of all that South County has to offer.
Thorr Bjorn, director of athletics said, 鈥淲ith the growing interest in our football program over the past number of years, it was really important to have homecoming and family weekend held separately. It provides families of our current students and alums and their families to have the best opportunity to take part in all the events taking place on both weekends. This is a wonderful tribute to the University as a whole, and as an athletic department, we want to be sure to do our part by providing as many events as possible.鈥�
will feature the Rhody football team kicking off against Bryant on Sept. 30. Weekend will be highlighted by the Rams鈥� football game against Richmond on Oct. 14.
Other activities, including athletics and club team contests, are also expected to be part of each weekend. (See links above for each weekend’s events.)
The Ram gridders play Bryant University at Meade Stadium at 1 p.m. on Family Weekend, and at 8 p.m. the Student Entertainment Committee will present Seth Meyers at the .
鈥淲e are building a strong family event, with a variety of programs and food offerings,鈥� said Maureen McDermott, assistant director for student involvement.
鈥淭his is important,鈥� Reynolds said, 鈥渂ecause of the students who attend Family Weekend with their parents, many are first-year students. This weekend gives students a chance to connect with family members and enjoy the University together.鈥�
Julia Al-Amir, a student intern in Reynolds鈥� office, said a separate event for students and families will make more tickets available and there will be more space for visitors. Al-Amir said that after getting feedback about the idea of separating the two events from Student Affairs, the Department of Athletics and the 911爆料 Foundation and Alumni Engagement, President Marc Parlange鈥檚 executive team decided last fall to approve the change.
鈥淧eople are already calling and asking, 鈥榃hen can I get tickets,鈥� McDermott said. 鈥淔amilies of incoming first-year students who have already made deposits have been calling frequently about Family Weekend.鈥�
Kate Vani, assistant director of alumni engagement and career resources, said Homecoming Weekend will be special, as the focus returns to alumni. The 911爆料 football team will play the Richmond Spiders Oct. 14 at noon at Meade Stadium.
鈥淲e will offer traditional tailgating and reunions, and Rhodyville will be back with food trucks, a family fun zone, and spirit stations,鈥� Vani said. 鈥淛ust as at Family Weekend, Homecoming will also feature other Rhody athletic and club teams in action.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to offer ice skating at the Boss Arena and attendees can also visit the Farmers鈥� Market on campus, among other planned activities.鈥�
What if people want to participate in both weekends? Reynolds, McDermott, Vani and Al-Amir said that would be just fine with them.
鈥淲e all just want to build on our Rhody Pride,鈥� Vani said.
Reynolds added that both weekends are open to families, students and alumni.