 Classic SI photo by Rich Clarkson |
Slick Rick
Led by head coach Rick Pitino in 1987, the Providence Friars reached the Final Four for just the second time in school history. Pitino was the head coach at Providence for two seasons, producing a 42-23 record there as the team made the NCAA Tournament in both seasons.
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FACES IN THE CROWD |
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Brad Faxon
Sept. 20, 1976 -- Brad, 15, captured the qualifying medal with a four-over-par 73, and then became the youngest golfer to win the Rhode Island Junior Championship, beating Al Vallante, 17, 5 and 3. Brad is also the state 17-and-under table tennis champion.
Career highlight: Won six events in 17 years on the PGA Tour, including New England Classic in 1992.
Now photo by Chuck Solomon
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Billy Andrade
Sept. 14, 1981 -- Billy, 17, shot a two-under-par 286 to win the PGA National Junior Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. He was also the first repeat champion of the 'Big I' Insurance Youth Classic held in Augusta, Ga., with a six-under 282.
Career highlight: Current PGA tour member has four victories to his credit, most recently the 2000 Invensys Classic at Las Vegas.
Now photo by Ross Kinnaird/Allsport
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GREATEST ATHLETES |
Nap Lajoie, Woonsocket
In 1901, A's second baseman led AL in hits, doubles, home runs, runs, RBIs, slugging percentage and hit a league-record .422.
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Davey Lopes, Providence
Spent 16 seasons in majors, batting .263 with 557 stolen bases; two-time NL stolen base king; four-time All-Star.
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Joe Mullaney, Providence
Coached Providence basketball team to 12 straight winning seasons; guided Lakers to 1970 NBA Finals.
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FLASHBACK |
1987: Southeast By Divine Providence
The Friars made believers of 'Bama and GeorgetownEvery year at NCAA Tournament time, one team seems to step out of a fairy tale and into reality. This year it is Providence. As in divine. The Friars, the Southeast Regional's sixth seed, defeated No. 2 Alabama 103-82 and No. 1 Georgetown 88-73 at Louisville's Freedom Hall last week to advance to the Final Four.
FULL STORY
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SI COVERS |
The People's Choice
That was the nickname for what many people believe to be the greatest 12 Meter ever built -- Intrepid, the two-time America's Cup champion (1967 and '70). Intrepid was the last wooden yacht to defend the Cup before aluminum became the material of choice.
Click here to see a gallery of every boating cover
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THE SI POLL |
Who do Rhode Islanders root for? SI asked Ocean State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
Boston Red Sox | 64% |
New York Yankees | 13% |
Favorite NFL team
N.E. Patriots | 63% |
Miami Dolphins | 4% |
Miami Dolphins | 4% |
Favorite NBA team
Boston Celtics | 52% |
Los Angeles Lakers | 5% |
No favorite team | 30% |
Favorite NHL team
Boston Bruins | 54% |
No favorite team | 30% |
Favorite pro team
Patriots | 30% |
Red Sox | 26% |
Yankees | 10% |
Celtics | 6% |
Bruins | 4% |
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State's biggest rivalry
R.I.-Providence | 38% |
Red Sox-Yankees | 33% |
Brown-Rhode Island | 4% |
What state is your biggest rival in sports
New York | 45% |
Massachusetts | 26% |
Connecticut | 11% |
Favorite announcer
John Madden | 16% |
Jerry Remy | 12% |
Bob Costas | 10% |
Favorite sport to participate in
Fishing | 13% |
Baseball/softball | 11% |
Basketball | 11% |
Bowling | 11% |
Golf | 10% |
Swimming | 10% |
Tennis | 10% |
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Which is more important to you, sports or sex?
Sex | 58% |
Sports | 13% |
Declined to answer | 29% |
Favorite college teams
Providence basketball | 19% |
Rhode Island basketball | 9% |
Notre Dame football | 6% |
Rhode Island football | 6% |
Favorite sports to watch on TV
Football | 73% |
Baseball | 53% |
Winter Olympics | 43% |
Basketball | 41% | Summer Olympics | 41% |
Hockey | 28% |
Ice Skating | 24% | Auto racing | 21% |
Golf | 20% |
FUN FACT | |
40% percent of respondents have prayed for their team to win a game | |
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* Based on a Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 400 Rhode Island residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/-4.9%. |
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Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
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STATITUDES |
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5 Years in a row (1989-1994) that the Brown University fencing team won the New England Fencing Tournament.
278 Student-athletes, coaches, administrators and athletic boosters who have been enshrined in the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame since 1959.
319-164 All-time record of former Providence men's basketball coach Joe Mullaney -- the winningest head man in the school's history.
1954 Year the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport was founded.
1.59 Goals-against average for Warwick native Sara DeCosta as a member of the U.S. gold medal-winning hockey team in the '98 Olympics.
2 Times Lincoln, R.I., native and Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Clem Labine led the National League in saves.
33 Innings played by the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings at McCoy Stadium on April 18-19 and June 23, 1981 -- the longest game in professional baseball history. The first 32 innings were played on the night of April 18-19, 1981, and after suspending that game, the final inning was played on June 23.
25 Home runs in 1954 for East Greenwich, R.I., native Wilma Briggs, the first girl in Rhode Island to play high school baseball.
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FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: May 29, 1790 (13th)
Area: 1,545 square miles
Bird: Rhode Island Red
Capital: Rhode Island
Economy: Agriculture: Nursery stock, vegetables, dairy products, eggs. Industry: Fashion jewelry, fabricated metal products, electric equipment, machinery, shipbuilding and boatbuilding, tourism.
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Flower: Violet (Viola)
Nickname: The Ocean State
Population: 1,048,319 (43rd)
Pro sports teams: None
Major college programs: Brown Bears, Providence Friars, Rhode Island Rams
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ENEMY OF THE STATE |
George Steinbrenner
When asked to name the No. 1 enemy of their state's sports fans, respondents proved loyal to Beantown. Rhode Islanders' most hated teams? The Yankees by far (71%), followed by the Jets (6%) and Boston College (2%).
George Steinbrenner | 42% |
Roger Clemens | 17% |
Bill Parcells | 14% |
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