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Keaney Gymnasium
Keaney Gymnasium, home of the Rhode Island volleyball team, opened in 1953. Keaney Gym was the former home of the Rhode Island men's and women's basketball teams until 2002, when both teams moved to the Ryan Center.
The 3,385-seat gym (3,885 capacity including standing room) was the home of the men's basketball teams from 1953-2002, during which time the Rams compiled a 320-168 (.656 winning percentage). Keaney Gymnasium was renovated in the early 1990s when chair back seats were installed at courtside and bleacher seating was added in the old stage area. Keaney Gymnasium is named in honor of Rhode Island's winningest coach, the legendary Frank Keaney. Keaney coached the Rams from 1920-48 and amassed a record of 401-124 (.764 winning percentage) in 28 seasons at the helm. Keaney is credited with inventing the fast break and the Keaney Ring. He also served as football coach from 1920-40 and is the school's second winningest gridiron coach with 70 victories. Keaney is responsible for turning a game of patterned plodding into 40 minutes of frenzied excitement while overflow crowds, delighted at the spectacle of racehorse basketball, howled their approval. In an era when most teams did well to score 40 or 50 points a game, Rhode Island averaged nearly 80 and routinely led the nation in scoring. In 1940, they routed Connecticut 102-81 in what was then the highest scoring college game ever played. Keaney retired from active coaching in 1948 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960. Keaney, who is a charter member of the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame, passed away on Oct. 10, 1967, at the age of 81. The facility also houses a 1,600-square foot athletic training center and 600-square foot office suite.
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