Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility is dedicated at Rhode Island; what it could mean
SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Monday morning brought a long-awaited ribbon-cutting ceremony to the University of Rhode Island campus.
The Rams officially unveiled their Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility, a renovation of existing space that will serve as headquarters for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The project was privately funded at a cost just shy of $8 million. The lead gift of $3 million came from Stefan Soloviev, a New York billionaire who briefly attended the school as an undergraduate in the mid-1990s.
The ribbon has been cut. #URI pic.twitter.com/ict4AhY3AS
— Bill Koch (@BillKoch25) November 6, 2023
“It’s a true game-changer,” URI athletic director Thorr Bjorn said. “I think about my entire time here at URI — we’ve been talking about the importance of this facility.”
A full practice court and two half-sized practice courts stretch over what used to be known as Tootell West. It’s upstairs from the school’s aquatic facility and steps away from both the training facility and the Ryan Center. URI players will have full access through a keyless entry system at any time of day or night.
“(Basketball is) the showcase sport for URI,” prominent booster Tom Ryan said. “I think it carries other sports along the way.”
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McKee said the project is at the forefront of an overdue facelift on campus. The state has earmarked an initial $65 million for six additional facility upgrades, including Meade Stadium for football and lacrosse. It’s a significant commitment considering the state budget typically only covers some 7% of the overall annual university budget.
“Investing in URI both academically and athletically is key,” McKee said.
The Rams women are fresh off a first Atlantic 10 regular-season title in program history and a second consecutive WNIT berth. URI is a combined 48-14 over the last two seasons, including a shared conference crown with Massachusetts in 2022-23. Tammi Reiss has brought in a strong recruiting class of first-year players and a pair of graduate transfers in Dee Dee Davis (Manhattan) and Teisha Hyman (Syracuse).
“It’s really important that our players feel that,” Reiss said. “The school’s investing in us. They want to win championships.”
Archie Miller’s debut with the men's team was a 9-22 struggle, but the Rams have looked improved early in their Blue-White Game and in an exhibition win over Division II Assumption. URI added nine new scholarship players ahead of Monday’s opener against Central Connecticut State. Miller said being able to use the facility as a recruiting tool was critical throughout last spring and summer.
“Recruiting is everything,” Miller said. “This doesn’t do anything but help our cause in terms of seeing the future.”
The outside hallway includes some past trophies and tributes to the school’s athletic Hall of Famers. The main practice court features a video board that will provide a live feed for the coaches. Miller said he’s used the recordings to make adjustments in real time during live 5-on-5 periods in practice.
“It’s a constant quest to get better,” Miller said. “There’s no better place to do it than this one.”
Ryan said the next step for the Rams is to bolster their name, image and likeness funding. Rhode to Excellence was the collective founded in 2021, and Ryan said the initial donor list was between eight and 10 contributors. He’s one of five listed advisory board members — Milwaukee Bucks owner Michael Fascitelli is another.
“I just keep pinching myself,” Bjorn said. “It’s special. It’s what we needed.”
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: $8 million Soloviev Basketball Practice Facility opens at URI
