October 25, 2010

Dear Alumni & Friends,

We’re back from Philadelphia and it was a rather somber mood on the bus to Kingston last night. I wish I was able to report on a couple of Rhody wins but unfortunately we’ve come away with a 0-2 loss to St. Joe’s and 0-1 setback to Temple. The trip to Philly is always a tough as not only do you face the difficult challenge of playing Atlantic 10 conference games but one is on a small turf field of St. Joe’s and the other on the grass at Temple’s at Ambler Field, which is located quite a distance away from the main campus.

As with most of these entries, I try to convey the mood and details of the games, essentially trying to put you there with us. This is one of the first times that I feel a bit speechless. As I said to the boys after the heartbreaking lost to Temple 1-0, “I can’t ask much more from you and I’m proud of your efforts."

Suffice to say you would be very, very proud of them too - whether as a Rhody Alum, parent or friend of the program. The way they are handling themselves, the effort they are putting forth and the collective spirit and camaraderie they have showed during this difficult season is amazing. I don’t know if I could have done it at their age.

Before going on, I need to send a special thanks out to John & Valerie Tanke for the dinner and fun they treated the team to on Saturday night at Dave & Busters. It was a lot of fun and, in the process, the guys gained at new teammate in a 4-foot high stuffed monkey.

On Sunday, we had also had a wonderful tailgate following the match versus Temple hosted by Bruce & Teresa Apt. It was quite an occasion and included Ryan Apt’s grandparents and extended family, Judy Balicki, Angie & Hadley Warwick, Jerry & Nancie Preyss as well as Matt’s sister and baby niece, Wendy Palmer, Nancy & Matt Eckmayer and Jamie’s siblings, Paul & Shelly Haught, Barbara & Greg Gomez, the Tanke’s and Bill Markman. They were two very nice events that we were all very appreciative of the supportive and great food.

Before I close, just a reminder that we have our last two home games next weekend when La Salle and Fordham on Friday October 29th at 7:00 pm and Sunday October 31st at 1:00 pm. The game on Halloween will be a particularly special day as it is SENIOR DAY. Prior to the game, we will honor our six seniors in a pre-game ceremony. It would be great to get our alums, families and friends there. Following the game we will be holding our second annual end of the home regular season tailgate so let us know if you will be there!

GO RAMS!
Coach O’C