Letter: Head URI basketball coach thanks students, fans for strong support

Dear Rhody Fans: I just wanted to drop you all a quick note to say thank you for all of the support and the incredible turnout for Wednesday's University of Rhode Island men's basketball game versus Dayton.

I can't stress it enough - the student body is tremendously important. Of all the arenas we play in, there is no better environment than a loud and crowded Ryan Center.

Each and every one of you made a difference for us in that victory. Your energy from tipoff to the final shot by Marquis Jones kept our energy high, and I applaud you for it.

I also applaud the efforts of everyone involved in the third annual Pink Out. To raise more than $19,000 for such an important cause such as breast cancer awareness and the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation was the biggest victory of the night.

Many thanks to South County Hospital Breast Health Program and Gem Plumbing & Heating for sponsoring the event. Also special thanks to Jaclyn Muns and Jackie Chiodo of the athletics department and all of their staff for making the Pink Out such a huge success.

We close out the regular season on Saturday, March 7 when we take on UMass at 2 p.m. It will be a "White Wash," with the first 2,000 students receiving a free white T-shirt.

It's also Senior Day, as we'll be honoring three very special young men - Kahiem Seawright, Jimmy Baron and Jason Francis - prior to tipoff.

Let's do it again Rhody fans - let's pack the Ryan Center, let's get it rockin' & rollin'!

Thank you again and see you at the UMass game!