Senate Calls for 'Quahog Cup' Hoops Tournament Among 4 RI Colleges

The Rhode Island Senate has passed a resolution introduced by Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that calls upon four colleges in the state to institute a basketball tournament to support a scholarship fund.

The resolution (2015-S 0191) encourages and supports the creation of the Quahog Cup, an annual collegiate basketball tournament among Brown University, Bryant University,Providence College and the University of Rhode Island.

“College basketball is particularly important to many Rhode Islanders,” said Senator Conley, who grew up watching and listening to Providence College basketball games. “A tournament of this caliber would help Rhode Island in so many ways. Not only would it be an economic boon, but it helps to instill and develop that sense of college pride that’s so important for students, alumni and the institutions themselves.”

According to the resolution, tournaments “bring people together, foster relationships, and create tradition. Collegiate competition is cathartic, and symbolic. It gives pride to many, and nowhere is this more meaningful and true than in the thrill of collegiate tournaments.”

The resolution calls for the tournament to take place the week of Thanksgiving, when family and friends return home to their Rhode Island roots.

The name Quahog Cup would “focus on our state’s unique fishing industry and the importance of our tourism and hospitality industries,” said Senator Conley. “It really would provide free marketing for our fishing industry. Rhode Island fisheries supply 25 percent of the United States’ total commercial catch of quahogs, making this unique clam a cornerstone of Rhode Island’s identity and economy.”

The resolution, while calling for the tournament among the state’s four Division I teams, notes that “The State of Rhode Island and its many residents, as well as the proud fans, students, faculty, administration, and alumni, of Brown University, Bryant University, Providence College, and the University of Rhode Island, have a special interest in building a great tradition that will promote our state's pride and its tourism and hospitality industries.”