May 5, 2009

Exams are off and running this week and will go on for the boy's until the 13th. We had a team BBQ on Friday at the O'Connor ranch complete with some exciting games of Mario Kart on Megan and Michael's Wii as well as a rousing game of whiffle ball home run derby in the front yard. It was a nice way to finish off the spring and relax before hitting the books. After two days of "Reading Period" and the weekend the guy's are ready to get the semester finished.

Hopefully you picked up through our weekly e-mails that the spring non-traditional season ended up as a productive one. I'm having individual meetings this week with each of the players and then they will be off for the summer. It's hard to believe that another academic year is almost done. It's even harder to comprehend that another class of guy's are moving on. Kedan Crosby (St. James, Trinidad) and Kevin Hamill (Easton, CT) go through graduation ceremonies on the 17th while James Quiah (Providence, RI) and Andres Perdomo (Pawtucket, RI) will do the same next December. I'm sure you all join me in wishing them the best for their futures.

One thing I wanted to bring to everyone's attention first and foremost to keep Ross Smith '03 in your prayers as he undergoes heart corrective surgery today. Ross who has had a very successful professional career with Gravesend & Northfleet and with the Rochester Rhino's this past year, was discovered with a heart condition while undergoing a physical for Major League Soccers Colorado Rapids. The surgery is corrective but as with any dealings with the heart, there are dangers. Think positive for the Big Canadian Ginger!

I also wanted to pass along a link to a really great article by Paul Kenyon of the Providence Journal about the URI football teams recent Bone Marrow Registration Drive. It was a project which the team was glad to get involved in as it was an issue that hit close to home with the plight of Andy Williams '90 and his wife Marcia, who is looking for a bone marrow match right now. The reason I mention this is that we found out through our involvement in the registration that freshmen Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland) had Leukemia when he was 12 which is amazing considering where he is as a player today. Paul included his story in his article so take a look!

Before I sign off start getting your foursomes together for the annual URI MEN'S SOCCER ALUMNI & FRIENDS GOLF OUTING ON MONDAY AUGUST 10TH AT FENNER HILL GOLF CLUB in Hope Valley, RI. Last years event got rained out so I know people are ready to get back to RI to play. We will be sending specific information on times and such but get your foursomes together NOW.

All the best and GO RHODY!
Coach O'C