Dear Coach Cooley, Please Play the URI-PC Rivalry Game -- The People of RI Could Really Use It

Dear Coach Cooley, Please Play the URI-PC Rivalry Game -- The People of RI Could Really Use It

Rhode Island doesn’t have any major league teams.

There is really only one game played each year that is functionally celebrated by all Rhode Islanders.

It is the rivalry game — every generation can recall a glorious moment — Sly against Soup and on and on.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Providence College versus the University of Rhode Island just doesn't get any better.

it has an amazingly rich history and so many times the lesser of the two teams came up with the upset.

The game is bigger than the two schools — it is a state celebration.

A celebration of sports, of competition, of chanting “safety school.” School pride. Bragging rights. 

The game used to be played twice a year — like Duke vs. North Carolina. Sure, they are in the same conference, but RI's rivalry is just as passionate.

The schedule is not an issue in a year that the NFL reschedules a game three times in a week. That excuse is a no-go this year.

If there was ever a year not to take a year off, this is this year.

Rhode Island is being rocked by an economic recession/depression. Record unemployment has taken grip. And, every family has been touched by the physical and mental impact of the coronavirus.

For most Rhode Islanders — who support the programs, buy the t-shirts and tickets — playing the game would be a celebration, a diversion and a tremendous gift to the state right when everyone needs something special.

Coach Cooley, play the game at Alumni at PC -- or at Central High School's gym -- but please play the game.  

We vote for Santa and not Scrooge.