EDITORIAL: It Is Time to Drop Football at URI

EDITORIAL: It Is Time to Drop Football at URI

The URI football team is not competitive and has not been competitive in decades. Its loss Saturday was just the latest example of the futility of the program. The team suffered its worst loss in history and the worst beating in the league's history by losing 84-7.

The team had 12 passing yards and six turnovers -- maybe the most pathetic statistic ever recorded in the program's history.

Meanwhile, the roster of the state university's football team has fifty percent more players from New Jersey than it does from Rhode Island (21 to 14).

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URI has only had one winning coach in its history. Head Coach Robert Bingham recorded a win-loss of 6-3 in the one season he coached in 1912.

Rhode Islanders loved the Tom Ehrhardt era, but it was 30 years ago. It was a different time. Since Ehrhardt’s team, URI has only had three winning seasons. 

And, URI football has had six 1-win seasons and one winless season.

Take Heed and Follow Suit

Peer colleges like Northeastern, Boston University and Hofstra all dropped football and invested in their most competitive programs, strengthened all their men’s and women’s sports, and launched new programs.

URI could take men’s and women’s hockey from club to compete at a higher level. Or follow BU’s model and invest in men’s lacrosse -- in just three years in Division I lacrosse they made the top 20.

Moreover, there are real concerns about the impact of brain injury caused by the sport. Student-athletes should not be subject to injury for the sake of adhering to some bygone era.

President David Dooley and all college Presidents know that a winning, revenue-generating athletic team can help elevate alumni engagement, student body excitement and drive applications, but this program is a weight around the college's neck. It reinforces a loser reputation and this program generates no net revenue.

The University of Rhode Island has a logical and positive decision to make this year. It is time to end the football team and reinvent the University’s overall sports programs.