Mob ready to bring the ruckus for the 2009 season

09/10/08 - If you're going to be attending Rhody sporting events this year, you might notice something a little different in the stands for all of the sports . lots and lots of screaming, chanting and heads painted Keaney Blue. Not to say that there isn't a great core of University of Rhode Island sports fans, but this year is the year to get amped up for Rhody sports. The Mob is a group of students overflowing with Rhody pride, on clear display at campus sporting events. The group is run by yours truly, and a few dedicated other members of Rhody Nation who want nothing more than to see a mass of blue and white packing the stands at URI home games.

Revitalized mid-season during the basketball team's run to the National Invitational Tournament, the Mob had a very active 104 members last year, some who made trips to away games and even the Atlantic 10 Tournament in New Jersey. They also raised $1,000 for the PINK Out! during Rams vs. Xavier, which was donated to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Starting much earlier and better-prepared, the Mob has planned to make an increased presence at all URI sporting events this year, starting with the men's soccer home opener Friday at 7 p.m. and football's match-up with No. 10 New Hampshire at noon Saturday. With basketball season looming, it is also planning to put away games on projection screens around campus so every student can get involved with Rhody Sports.

"We think that having something for every student to feel connected to a team is the best thing for school spirit and morale," says Colin Giblin, treasurer for the Mob. "Having more students cheering for this school brings everyone closer together."

While more specific events are yet to be decided upon, the goal is to get students involved with more than just men's basketball. The driving force behind the group is to make any Rams home game the toughest that a visiting team will play during the season.

Sam Segal, the organization's vice president, said that the home-court advantage is what drives the mob. "We love the fact that the Ryan Center is a hard place to play [for visitors,] it'd be even better to see that at the other home games as well," he said.

The Mob will have its first meeting tonight at 6 p.m. in Atrium II in the Memorial Union where it will have sign ups and outline plans for the year. No one in the group cares who comes to fill the stands, they are just looking for lots of enthusiastic student-fans.

"Not everyone needs to have a mohawk and a full-body paint job," Giblin explained. "They just need to have pride in the school that they go to."

The Mob has been approved by the Student Organization Advisory and Review Committee for URI recognition and will meet with Student Senate next Wednesday for approval. Students who would like to get involved and cannot attend the meeting tonight should e-mail the group at mob@etal.uri.edu.