Ryan Center - Rhode Island Rams
- Paul Baker
- Feb 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 20
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57
Thomas M. Ryan Center 1 Lincoln Almond Plaza Kingston, RI 02881
Year Opened: 2002
Capacity: 8,000
Raising a Ruckus
The Thomas M. Ryan Center, named for the University of Rhode Island class of 1975 alumnus and primary benefactor of the arena, was built in 2002 to replace the aging and undersized Keaney Gymnasium. The building is located adjacent to Meade Stadium on the western edge of campus, with the football stadium’s visiting side bleachers built directly into the side of the basketball arena.
The Rams have made the NCAA tournament ten times in their history, advancing as far as the Elite Eight in 1998. In addition, URI has played in the National Invitational Tournament 15 times, making the semi-finals on three occasions. 17 URI alumni have gone on to play in the NBA. The URI women’s basketball team has played in one NCAA tournament, in 1996.
Food & Beverage 3
Five concession stands line the concourse of the Ryan Center. The menu doesn’t stray very far from arena basics, but all the bases are covered. Sadly, some of the premium and more unique items that once highlighted the menus are no longer offered.
Hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, grilled chicken sandwiches, and personal pizzas anchor the menus. Of course, fans will find sides including nachos, fries, pretzels, and popcorn at all the stands. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the pickle fries.
Pepsi products are featured at the Ryan Center. Among the adult beverages sold here are brews from local favorites Narragansett, Shaidzon, Tower Hill, and Whalers Breweries. The URI-branded “Rhody Ruckus” Lager and IPA from Newport Craft Brewing are popular choices.
Atmosphere 4
Stadium Journey’s most recent visit to Kingston occurred on the Rams’ annual “Pink Out” night, so an overflowing student section added a ton of noise on this evening. The cheerleading squad, dance team, and mascot, Ruckus the Ram, are fixtures at the Ryan Center, as are the dedicated Rams fans. As you would expect, the sound system is excellent, and the PA announcer is energetic and professional. It’s a consistent, high-quality presentation that would give the Rams a great home-court advantage if they had a full building every night.
Play stoppages are filled with contests, giveaways, and more to keep the energy level up and the fans engaged. If you’re a fan of t-shirt tosses, dance cams, and the like, you’re sure to have a good time at the Ryan Center. A large video board in one corner of the arena shows game stats, replays, and other information. The Ryan Center staff blends big-time production with small-town atmosphere here in Kingston, and it works well.
Neighborhood 2
One area where the Ryan Center comes up short when compared to peer facilities is its location. Even though URI boasts an enrollment of over 18,000 students, there’s just not much to do in the area around campus. URI is a self-contained, rural campus, and outside of a cluster of shops near campus, there is nothing much in the immediate area.
That’s not to say visitors to Rhode Island will have nothing to do. Providence is about 30 miles to the north. During the summer, the nearby coastal towns of Narragansett and Newport are popular destinations, but not so much during basketball season.
Visiting fans looking for somewhere to eat during their visit to Kingston will find some excellent options if they explore the town a bit. Mews Tavern, featuring 69 beers on tap and an excellent pub menu, is a favorite of locals. Tavern on Main is another popular spot, and the Matunuck Oyster House is legendary for its home-grown bivalves.
Aside from a Holiday Inn on Route One, there are not many lodging options near campus. History buffs may want to visit the Gilbert Stuart Birthplace and Museum, located in nearby Saunderstown. Otherwise, head to Providence or to the coast to find more options.
Fans 3
Attendance at the Ryan Center has long been a sore spot in Kingston. As of the writing of this review in mid-February, the Rams were averaging just under 3,600 fans per game for men’s games. This represents a 20 percent decrease from the previous season and places URI below the conference average. Recently, the administration has even gone public with pleas to the student body to show up in better numbers for games, particularly for the successful women’s team.
A typical URI crowd is made up of locals, alumni, and families enjoying a night of entertainment in southern Rhode Island. While the lion’s share of the local media attention in the area goes to Providence College, the University of Rhode Island has its share of ardent supporters. Parents can absolutely feel comfortable bringing their children to a Rams game.
The night of Stadium Journey’s most recent visit was the men’s basketball team’s annual “Pink Out” game to raise awareness for breast cancer. An impressive crowd was present, especially considering it was a chilly Tuesday, February night. The student section, decked out in free pink t-shirts, was packed to the brim in their lower bowl sections, spilling over into the upper bowl. This has not been the norm lately.
Access 4
The Ryan Center is located on the western edge of the URI campus in rural Kingston, Rhode Island, adjacent to Meade Stadium and Bill Beck Field. Driving here from Providence will take about 40 minutes on a typical day. Getting to the T.F. Green Airport is a 20-minute drive, and the Kingston Amtrak station is just a mile and a half away. Complete directions to the Ryan Center can be found here.
Parking lots are located on the north and south sides of the Ryan Center. Parking is free in these lots, but it can be a long walk to your car on a frigid Rhode Island night. Fans requiring handicapped parking or VIP treatment can inquire about parking in the Rhody Lot directly in front of the arena.
There is a charge for this VIP parking. The Ryan Center practices a clear bag policy, with no other bags except for small clutches permitted, so make sure you leave everything else in your car. It might be a long walk back. Also, don’t be in a rush to leave the parking lots after the game. They take a while to empty afterwards.
There are entrances on either end of the arena. Fans will enter at ground level, with stairs leading up to the main concourse. The concourse, which is carpeted, encircles the entire arena and is open on one corner, where the video board is located. The concourse overlooks Meade Stadium on one side, as the football bleachers are built into the side of the Ryan Center. Concession stands and restrooms are plentiful enough for a typical Rams crowd, and lines are not an issue.
All seats are individual Rhody blue folding stadium seats. The upper level features a very steep pitch, which ensures excellent views of the action on the court from all points inside the Ryan Center. The furthest seat is only 74 feet from the basketball court. The intimate design of the Ryan Center means that the building can get very loud when the Rams are on a roll.
Return on Investment 5
Tickets to Rams games are quite affordable, beginning at $19 for end seats in the upper deck. The majority of seats in the Ryan Center can be had for under $40. Even courtside tickets are relatively affordable. Complete pricing information can be found here.
Parking is free in the lots adjacent to the Ryan Center. Concession prices, while not inexpensive, are in line with other venues in the area.
Extras 4
URI’s Athletic Hall of Fame is located in the Ryan Center. Plaques honoring the enshrined line the walls throughout the facility.
Banners honoring URI championship and tournament teams hang from the rafters of the Ryan Center, along with five honored numbers from distinguished alumni.
Check out the trophy case displaying the Rams’ collection of hardware won over their history. It may seem like a meager haul for a team that’s as storied as the Rams, but it’s a nice display.
Another extra point is awarded for the design of the Ryan Center, which is meant to evoke visions of nearby beaches. The stair towers are designed to resemble lighthouses, and the carpets on the concourse contain wave patterns, as well as shades of blue and tan found on the beach. It is a very pleasing venue to the eye.
Final Thoughts
The Ryan Center is an excellent venue that suffers in comparison to its peers primarily due to its location. Place this outstanding arena in a more populated area, and the rave reviews would roll in. Still, it’s a great place to catch a basketball game. If you’re planning a Stadium Journey through New England, the Ryan Center should absolutely be on your list.
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