KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

It was great to see many of you the other night at the Season Ticket Holder Appreciation Night. At the event several of you asked if I was "...getting the signs ready?" There were surprised looks when I explained that there would be no signs this season.

Rather than continually answer this question on an individual basis I decided this would be a good forum to communicate my decision. I'm not trying to be dramatic or make this a bigger issue than it is, but I want to address this before the season starts and then move on.

For me, last season should have been much more enjoyable than it was. Our first Atlantic 10 Championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 18 years, and I was actually struggling to enjoy it.

I've always made the signs out of fun, to make people laugh, and to distract opponents. It's worked, and until this past season there was really never much controversy. In Hurley's first few seasons rarely did anyone have a problem with the signs. In fact, the athletic department/administration were supportive and even made requests for signs.

This past season was a much different experience. I'm not going to go into all the details, but for me, there was an obvious shift in support. In fact, towards the end of the season I felt like I became a target.

The worst case of targeting was at the A10 Championship in Pittsburgh. I will share this one story as it should answer any questions as to why it’s not worth the hassle to continue making the signs.

My wife and I arrived in Pittsburgh in time to see the semifinal game against Davidson and the championship game against VCU.
Our seats for the Davidson game were right behind some of the University administration, including the new President of the Foundation, Elizabeth “Lil” Breul O’Rourke.

Apparently Lil did not like having me cheer in her ear all game and unbeknownst to me requested that I not have the same seats the next day for the championship game.

I thought something was up when I went to will call to pick up my tickets for the VCU game and realized my allotted seats were about 30 rows behind where they were for the Davidson game.

As I settled in for the game, I saw a couple of friends seated down below. In fact, they are friends from this message board. When they saw me they waved at me and my wife to come sit in the available seats next to them.

For those of you who are not aware how the seating works for these tournaments, I will explain. Every school is allotted tickets prior to the start of the tournament. As teams are eliminated during the week they typically give up their tickets to the other schools that advance into the later rounds of the tournament. However, there are always empty seats and the reality is that by Sunday’s championship game most people move closer to the action and do not sit in their originally assigned seats.

As I entered the row where my friends were, I realized that President Dooley and Lil were seated right behind me. I started to have a very cordial conversation with President Dooley while my wife noticed Lil frantically texting someone. My wife also observed her nudge the person next to her and point in my direction.

Just before the opening tip, no less than 10 security guards surrounded me and my wife and asked us to present our tickets. I admitted immediately that these were not our seats and the security personnel proceeded to aggressively escort us back to our ticketed seats.

I was in shock, angry, and I still did not know exactly what was going on. I didn't understand why only my wife and I were asked to move when many others were also obviously not in their ticketed seats.

Once my wife told me what she observed I started to piece things together. At halftime I searched for answers as to what had happened. I learned very quickly that, in fact, Lil had contacted someone requesting that I be removed from those seats.

I couldn’t believe it. All she had to do was tap me on the shoulder and asked me if I could sit somewhere else. I actually may have been somewhat understanding of the request. But to have stadium security called on me was just about the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever had happen to me.

This is how you treat someone from your own University? An alum, a season ticket holder, a donor?

After the game I saw her in the lobby of the hotel we were staying at. I asked her why she had called security on me. She denied it even when others had already told me it was her. She lied right to my face!

Anyone in the administration that I spoke with about the incident really didn’t want to be bothered to hear about it, much less try and do anything about it. I asked that she apologize and that would be the end of it. What did I hear back? To use a popular phrase on this message board…. “Crickets”.

Since March I have not donated a penny to the University, nor will I as long as she remains associated with URI. Apparently the only weapon I have is my wallet.

Let me be clear... No one associated with the University has said that I can't make signs. I am making this decision on my own. It is clear to me however that there are influential individuals associated with the University that aren’t supportive of the signs. I’ve decided it’s just not worth the aggravation.

I’ll continue to sit in my same seats and continue to cheer with the same passion… without signs.

That's a shame Jay. This kind of attitude and behavior from some university administration officials is what continues to hold back the Ryan Center from being the top notch college basketball venue and atmosphere that so many of hope and know it could be.

I am sorry that this woman acted that way without any regards to a loyal fan and donor of the university. She should be ashamed of herself for being so petty and heavy handed.

As others have said, it’s a real shame that some administrators actively stifle passion for the university that doesn’t hurt anyone. Maybe this woman is great on the wine and cheese circuit, but she clearly has no place in the athletics’ sector, where she doesn’t understand the passion associated with being a fan and actively silenced one of our best fans.

Sounds like a bitch to me.

Like the others, Jay it is a shame.

Your posters added to the enjoyment of the game. Most were down right funny. I'll miss them.

I wish someone at The University would offer an explanation directly to you. I am disappointed that Dooley, since he was right there, hasn't asked someone in administration to discuss the action taken.

I am really upset with what what happened to you and your wife Jay. That's absolutely rediculous. She obviously has no clue who you are and how important you are to our program. I will personally seek her out or talk to someone in her department to tell her to get a clue. I really look forward to your signs and will be disappointed if you don't continue with your effort in making them. Your signs get fans pumped up and it also sets the mood/environment of the RC. I really hope you don't let this one person effect how you want to act as a fan. Your the man Jay and a I really hope you change your mind. The RYan Center won't be the same without them!

Wow! This sounds like some petty person decided
she didn't like you and decided to give you a hard time.
Most fans always looked forward to your great signs,
which provided some real laughs over the years.
They will be missed, by many more than some holier
than thou administrative types.
Why URI treats some people, devoted to the program,
like trash, is disgraceful.

Tom98 wrote:I am really upset with what what happened to you and your wife Jay. That's absolutely rediculous. She obviously has no clue who you are and how important you are to our program. I will personally seek her out or talk to someone in her department to tell her to get a clue. I really look forward to your signs and will be disappointed if you don't continue with your effort in making them. Your signs get fans pumped up and it also sets the mood/environment of the RC. I really hope you don't let this one person effect how you want to act as a fan. Your the man Jay and a I really hope you change your mind. The RYan Center won't be the same without them!

Tom, I appreciate your kind words as well as the others that have posted. I shared one story as an example, but I can assure you that the sentiment extends beyond her. It's not just one person. Some have said that I should just tone down the content of the signs. I thought about that but what would I be left with? There is a level of sensitivity that is surprising to me. Two of the most controversial signs last season were a coach made into a zombie and a coach wearing a baseball cap from a team he was rumored to be heading to. Go figure.

The whole point of the signs are that they are so stupid that they are funny. It's like the worst kind of Dad humor.

RoadyJay,
It sounds like what she was disturbed about was you being loud behind her into her ear. This is what caused her to have your seats moved 30 rows back for the championship game. Wow. Moved for being too loud cheering for your favorite team. How many fans can be accused of the same - being overly loud?
It's bothersome that she allegedly lied to you. Sounds like she had your seats moved and then called security.....a shame. People should not lie. If she did this she should have admitted and explained her rational. Also should not have been a surprise when you were 30 rows back. She should have had the foresight to know this was likely to create a difficult situation. Is it possible that she did not move your seats back but somebody else voluntarily did it when they heard her complaining?

What happened in Sacramento if I might ask?

Sorry the signs are discontinued but more sorry that a great fan like you was treated this way in Pittsburgh. Signs were not allowed in Pittsburgh, right? This was just for cheering too loudly?

ramster wrote:RoadyJay,
It sounds like what she was disturbed about was you being loud behind her into her ear. This is what caused her to have your seats moved 30 rows back for the championship game. Wow. Moved for being too loud cheering for your favorite team. How many fans can be accused of the same?
It's bothersome that she allegedly lied to you. Sounds like she had your seats moved and then called security.....a shame. People should not lie. If she did this she should have admitted and explained her rational. Also should not have been a surprise when you were 30 rows Bach. She should have had the foresight to know this was likely to create a difficult situation

What happened in Sacramento if I might ask?

Sorry the signs are discontinued but more sorry that a great fan like you was treated this way in Pittsburgh.

Yes, ramster you are absolutely correct. She didn't like me being loud in her ear and didn't want to deal with it the next day. As someone said to me in the past... If you want to go to a place where people are well behaved/quiet then go to the opera.

Sacramento was great. You know why? It was a raucous bunch. We were on our feet yelling and cheering the entire time. I was probably the quietest and best behaved of the bunch.

Honestly though... I was shocked at how loud we were... and I loved it.

This is incredibly disappointing; I can only assume her stay will be short lived as Foundation president, but her actions have now had a terrible effect on support from a loyal alum, fan & donor. It’s tough to hear an Alum would be treated this way, never mind a passionate alum. That’s terrible.

Upsetting. People shouldn't be treated like that.

RoadyJay wrote:

ramster wrote:RoadyJay,
It sounds like what she was disturbed about was you being loud behind her into her ear. This is what caused her to have your seats moved 30 rows back for the championship game. Wow. Moved for being too loud cheering for your favorite team. How many fans can be accused of the same?
It's bothersome that she allegedly lied to you. Sounds like she had your seats moved and then called security.....a shame. People should not lie. If she did this she should have admitted and explained her rational. Also should not have been a surprise when you were 30 rows Bach. She should have had the foresight to know this was likely to create a difficult situation

What happened in Sacramento if I might ask?

Sorry the signs are discontinued but more sorry that a great fan like you was treated this way in Pittsburgh.

Yes, ramster you are absolutely correct. She didn't like me being loud in her ear and didn't want to deal with it the next day. As someone said to me in the past... If you want to go to a place where people are well behaved/quiet then go to the opera.

Sacramento was great. You know why? It was a raucous bunch. We were on our feet yelling and cheering the entire time. I was probably the quietest and best behaved of the bunch.

Honestly though... I was shocked at how loud we were... and I loved it.

Sacramento was tremendous. The Alumni Events pre game were awesome. I'm sure everyone there was going on to the second round in Kansas City. What a disappointment to not go on, but certainly no complaints. Everyone was loud. Having Lamar Odom and Jim Harrick in our section was such a proud thing.

Was there any attempt to position you there because of your loudness in Pittsburgh?

I think the energy, loudness, craziness of the URI section was a huge reason why URI got so many camera views on National TV. Plus many, many views of our section, Lamar and Coach Harrick on the video screens in the Arena.

Seems if you want to be in the raucous URI section you have to pay the price or go sit in the Suites.

I know the URI players had no problem with the noise and enthusiasm.

ramster wrote: Was there any attempt to position you there because of your loudness in Pittsburgh?

Seems they went strictly by a point system in Sacramento. I was not sent up into the rafters.

RoadyJay wrote:

ramster wrote: Was there any attempt to position you there because of your loudness in Pittsburgh?

Seems they went strictly by a point system in Sacramento. I was not sent up into the rafters.

Did she go to Sacramento?

I don't recall seeing her there. Doesn't mean she wasn't.

RoadyJay wrote:I don't recall seeing her there. Doesn't mean she wasn't.

I don't recall her in Sacramento either.

Hate to hear this. But, can't say I'm surprised. This school has always been it's own worst enemy.

ramfan85 wrote:Hate to hear this. But, can't say I'm surprised. This school has always been it's own worst enemy.

Not so sure I'd blame the school as much as the individual. Syracuse undergrad, masters and 30 years at Syracuse before coming here. Not sure a person with this background can grasp the importance of this A10 Championship and NCAA bid. The pain of waiting so long and then the late February and March success was downright deliriously happy! Long time URI fans do not need security called on them for being overly loud.

ramster wrote:Not so sure I'd blame the school as much as the individual. Syracuse undergrad, masters and 30 years at Syracuse before coming here. Not sure a person with this background can grasp the importance of this A10 Championship and NCAA bid. The pain of waiting so long and then the late February and March success was downright deliriously happy! Long time URI fans do not need security called on them for being overly loud.

Good points about the added excitement because of breaking the long drought, but I think you're being too kind to the individual and the school in this assessment, this woman is clearly CLUELESS about sports fanaticism and university spirit, furthermore for Jay to be treated by anyone from the university as anything but honored is a complete disgrace!!

People from other teams getting butt hurt about a silly sign is the point, rattle the cages, people from our own university getting butt hurt about the signs because they rattle cages is the real sign, the sign of the times. Don't go rattling cages now Jay, it's okay if you get a little excited, but we're looking for a calmer more dignified excitement, don't want to go off script, you might ruffle a feather in ms. hotshot's hat. I swear you can't even have good spirited fun anymore without some idiot that thinks they are better than you pushing their agenda in your face. This freak wants to go to a college basketball play-off game, sit court-side and have peace and quiet, what a clown!! Half of me feels like...I can't blame Jay in the least for his choice to stop the signs, I think I would do the same, the other half of me wishes a dozen other people would pick-up the sign mantle and show the "dignified" people we will not go quietly into the dark night.

Wow sorry you and your wife had to go through this Jay what an absolute disgrace

Agreed. This is very disappointing and embarrassing. I would like an explanation.

Our very own Marie Antoinette....

Announcement and background info......

http://www.urifoundation.org/s/1638/03- ... alcid=3805
https://today.uri.edu/news/new-universi ... ent-named/

I've always looked forward to the signs and not knowing what they would be until they were hoisted up each game. They also made the overall fan base look more passionate. It's a shame this happened but hopefully you will have more time to sit back and enjoy the games now.

Thanks RoadyJay for all those years of awesome creativity and producing exciting in-game experiences at the Ryan Center!

My favorite sign was Wade wearing the NC State hat (I believe it was Wade, but could have been Archie). The signs were creative, funny, and to your earlier point: ultimately just dad humor. The NC State sign showed our fan base, or at least one individual, recognizes what's going on outside of our RI bubble and is a fan of not just our program but college basketball as a whole. We need more passion and creativity like that.

Thank you, RoadyJay. I enjoyed your signs. I don't like what the school did to you.

I'm glad you will still be attending the games.

My favorite was the game a few years ago against Southern Miss when Donnie Tyndall ended up taking the sign of him with the corn on the cob (or was it a pink purse?)

Hopefully you still do one for the seniors on Senior Day.

Come on Jay, keep it going!

You can't quit now. You quitting now is her getting her way and she wins. You cant let them bully you. You are part of the Ryan Center experience now and have become a humorous and frankly effective part of the home court advantage.

Hell, just look at how much you got Kellogg off his game before the opening tip last year.

That story is foul - Jay you are the man.

Someone who has a good relationship with the athletic department should bring this to Thorr's attention. It's unbelievable that a University official would treat one of our most loyal fans in this manner. Go back to Syracuse, O'Rourke. It's nonsense like this that counteracts the great strides our basketball program has made in recent years.

Contact info

URI Foundation
401.874.7900
foundation@uri.edu

Lil Breul O'Rourke
President, URI Foundation
401.874.9512
lorourke@uri.edu

Third Bjorn
URI Director of Athletics
401.874.5245
tbjorn@uri.edu

Dr. David M. Dooley
URI President
401.874.2444
ddooley@uri.edu

I think I need to mention again that this is not about one person. I singled out Lil because this was the most egregious and embarrassing incident and I would be thrilled if she left URI as soon as possible.

Last season there were complaints from URI professors, our fans, opposing fans, etc. Innocent signs were banned. Someone even complained directly to the A10 Commissioner.

It's just to the point where it's no longer fun for me.

That is so old-school URI it hurts.

I've fallen into similar situations as many are well aware.

You always think we're getting it together and then there's always some stuffy suit trying to stifle something.

I love that for decades we can never figure out where the "passion" is for games and why people don't show up to get rowdy like Dan and the players would prefer.

Heard about this from Jay in Sacto. Some real BS by a hoity toity fair weather fan. Sad the university sided with her over a die hard like Jay who brings energy to the Ryan Center with every game. And his signs are ridiculously funny in the most innocent and family friendly way- adds character to a place that can feel vanilla at times.

Blue Man wrote:That is so old-school URI it hurts.

I've fallen into similar situations as many are well aware.

You always think we're getting it together and then there's always some stuffy suit trying to stifle something.

I love that for decades we can never figure out where the "passion" is for games and why people don't show up to get rowdy like Dan and the players would prefer.

yup. just another chapter in the same ol s**t from the athletic dept's treatment of fans.

Blue got it with the laps around the court

The Mob got it multiple times...first being hated and all but ruined by a certain "I have no purpose" AD employee, then being removed from the 100s behind the visitors bench.

Notice you dont see banners hanging from teh balconies anymore? I remember as a sophomore seeing the "Not in Our House" bed sheet hung for the 1st PC game in the Ryan and that banner stayed for a few years after.

Hell, Twisted made a 'P. ractically C. ollege' bedsheet banner for the 07(?) game

Even the pep band doesn't play the Hey song late in games that are wins and the corresponding "Hey, you suck!" chants have noticeably weakened.

The big irony is that Jay's signs were a promo tool for the program. They were known things and got recognized multiple times by Sports Illustrated

Must suck to be one of the people who gets offended by one of those signs.
No sense of humor.
Thin skinned and prudish.
Those kinda people are some of the worst.
Just lame.
To shut you down by humiliating you like that is truly appalling and downright offends me or any of us real fans with real love and passion for our team. It's an affront to us all in a sense.

Hope they realized they treated you unfairly.
Glad you'll still be coming to the games!

Creating the signs is creating, it's an art form, it takes inspiration and insight, it's not like Jay was just some guy willing to hold signs, he is a fan with enough passion to spend his creative time and energy in a way that enhances our experiences as Ram Fans. This whole thing is a shame, Jay has made enough signs for everyone to know that he is careful to be silly and fun, but to never even dance on the line let alone cross the line, as Jay put it, it's dad humor. The university burnt one of its best fan assets, a passionate fan providing a fun and responsible example of the depths of our university spirit.

Again if I'm Jay I make the same choice to put the signs behind me, we have to remember that it is a creative process and put ourselves in Jay's shoes. What Jay endured last season is the stuff that stifles inspiration and creativity. If I were Jay I'd feel completely unsupported by the program that I'd been putting so much of my own energy and money towards.

Running Ram wrote: If I were Jay I'd feel completely unsupported by the program that I'd been putting so much of my own energy and money towards.

This sums it up perfectly and is precisely how I've been feeling.

Jay, can't believe you went through this load of horse crap.

I was sad when you told me the story of what had happened in Pittsburgh. You put a lot of effort into clever signs, as well as a significant investment in paper, ink, and glue sticks. I'm sure the Wakefield Staples will miss you too.

I am all for a number of signs being made for the opener in support of Jay to hold all over the Ryan. Who's in?

I will take a knee for Jay at every game!!

What's really disappointing is that people like Thorr, Dooley and others haven't at least tried to mollify the situation......RJ is being thrown under the bus....what a way to reward him for his efforts.

The more things change at URI, the more things stay the same.....

Rhody Guy wrote:I am all for a number of signs being made for the opener in support of Jay to hold all over the Ryan. Who's in?

Was thinking the same thing. Print something on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet and hand out a few thousand including to the students.

I'm in support of anything that will bring the signs back.

True story: changed my mini-plan seats a few years ago and partially regretted it because I was further from RJ's signs. Sucks that this happened - you'll always have support from the real fans.

Sad.

I firmly believe that at times against certain opponents the signs were a bucket or 2 advantage for the home team.

We do wanna win right?

Fix this.