KINGSTON, R.I. – Sept. 9, 2025 – This year’s University of Rhode Island Homecoming Weekend promises to be bigger and better than ever, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21.

President Marc Parlange will deliver the annual State of the University Address on Friday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m., in Edwards Auditorium, officially kicking off the weekend, followed by a BBQ on the President’s Lawn. The president’s fourth annual address celebrates tremendous growth and success for URI, as the new school year begins. URI starts the year with its new R1 status, placing the University among the nation’s top research institutions, and received a record 28,036 first-year undergraduate applications for the fall semester, as well as a record number of applications to graduate programs. All alumni, students, faculty and staff are invited to attend to hear more about the University’s growth and successes over the past year, including how support from the Rhode Island General Assembly and Rhode Island voters have helped URI transform its campuses and will bring major advances in the life sciences to the University.  To attend, RSVP by Sept. 16, as space is limited.

Also new this year is the 50th Reunion, which historically took place during Commencement weekend, now moving to Homecoming weekend. The Class of 1975 will be honored with a VIP tailgating dinner Saturday at 4 p.m. at Meade Stadium prior to the 6 p.m. game when URI football takes on Long Island University.

The football team enters this season on a high note. Led by Coach Jim Fleming, Rhode Island football enters its 130th season as the reigning CAA football champs. In 2024, URI concluded its most successful season ever, winning the most single season games in the history of the program and making the playoffs for the first time since 1985.

And, of course, leading into the fun on Saturday is this year’s new and improved Rhodyville Block Party, which takes place 1 to 4 p.m. on the Football Practice Fields with space for more activities, followed by tailgating, 4 to 6 p.m., in the Plains Road lot. Attendees can prepay for parking through the Ryan Center ticketing site.

This year’s live entertainment at Rhodyville features Rugburn, a high-energy, seven-piece party band playing everything from James Brown to Bruno Mars. Band members include alumni Jon Lysik ’88, Bob Shindell ’90, Jason Palermo ’94, and Don Fogarty ’94, who began playing together after college and will celebrate their 20th anniversary in October.

“We play all kinds of music,” says Lysik. “We went from starting out as a neighborhood garage band to eventually playing all over southern New England with gigs in Rome, Key West, Fort Lauderdale, and Boston.” They also work closely with local charities the Gloria Gemma Foundation, Wish Come True, and Red Sox Pitching In for Kids.

Mark Antonucci, vice president for advancement and the URI Foundation’s new chief executive officer, says he is looking forward to joining his first Homecoming and showing alumni the momentum and energy found at URI: “I am excited to meet even more members of the URI community and cheer on our defending champion Rhody Rams,” he says. “This will be a fun, family-friendly event for alumni and all Rhode Islanders, showcasing alumni-owned businesses and local food vendors. We’re thrilled to welcome everyone to campus for this new experience!”

Expanded activities round out Homecoming weekend

In addition to Saturday’s football game and Rhodyville festivities, URI Homecoming offers activities all weekend long, starting on Friday afternoon with some fun — and pressure-free — “Classes Without Quizzes” in the Higgins Welcome Center (1:45 to 3:30 p.m.).

“I’m looking forward to having alumni in my classroom,” says Joëlle Rollo-Koster, an expert in medieval history. “This is a chance to connect with people around the joy of learning, without the stress of grades or assignments. The Middle Ages are often remembered in clichés, but when we revisit them together, we get to uncover how much of our modern world still has medieval roots. I’m excited to see alumni rediscover that spark of curiosity, maybe even see the Middle Ages in a completely new light. We’ll look at what medieval people really thought, built, and achieved — beyond the myths — and how they laid the groundwork for things we still live with: universities, structured debate, law, the way we organize knowledge. My hope is that everyone walks away with a sense of surprise and appreciation for the creativity and resilience of medieval people, and sees how we still carry a lot of their mindset in our own world.”

Susan Jerome M.S.’06, Jason Jaacks and Drew Zhang will also be offering “Class Without Quizzes” sessions in URI’s Historic Textile & Costume Collection, science in film, and AI unplugged, respectively. Registration is advised.

On Saturday, the day opens with an open-pickleball session hosted by Marc and Mary Parlange. An avid player and member of the Rhody pickleball community, expect some goodhearted competition from Mrs. Parlange on Saturday! Saturday also includes alumni games for men’s volleyball and women’s ice hockey and a sailing regatta on Salt Pond.

On Sunday, the weekend wraps with a men’s alumni lacrosse game in Meade Stadium while the Alumni of Color Network is gathering for Vibes and Brunch in Providence. The Anna Fascitelli Fitness & Wellness Center is open to alumni all weekend, too, if anyone wants to get a Rhody workout in amidst activities (registration required).

To learn more about all events at URI Homecoming or register, visit the Homecoming web page; questions, email alumni@uri.edu.