FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2, 2005

11 Honored by the
Rhode Island's Speaker of the House
and House of Representatives

Providence, RI—Ten current Rhode Island College student-athletes and one alumnus were honored by the honorable, William J. Murphy, Speaker of the House, and the Rhode Island House of Representatives at a reception held in the House Lounge at the Rhode Island State House on Wednesday, Apr. 27.

The event was designed to give significant public recognition to men and women from the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island who have had significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits at their respective institutions. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service. 

The ten Scholar-Athletes from Rhode Island College were: Justin Deveau, a senior wrestler from North Attleboro, MA; Caitlin Gavin, a sophomore women’s soccer and lacrosse player from Portsmouth, RI; Kari Geisler, a sophomore women’s volleyball and basketball player from Deerfield, NH; Kate McCalligett, a senior indoor and outdoor track & field student-athlete from Warwick, RI; Keith Nelson, a senior wrestler from Rhinebeck, NY; Dave Paquette, a senior wrestler from Ledyard, CT; Kevin Payette, a junior men’s basketball player from Woonsocket, RI; Megan Ponte, a junior softball player from Wakefield, RI; Dana Skorupa, a junior indoor and outdoor track & field student-athlete from Cumberland, RI; and Stephanie Wojciechowski, a junior women’s volleyball player from North Kingstown, RI.

Athletic Alumni from each school were also honored. Cranston’s Tony Rainone '73 was RIC’s Athletic Alumnus award recipient.

Rainone was a four-year letterwinner in baseball from 1970-73 during his undergraduate days as an Anchorman. He began as a catcher/first baseman, but made the move to the outfield during his junior year. Rainone captained the team as a senior in 1973.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from RIC in 1973 and embarked on a 30-year career as a special education teacher at Central Falls High School, retiring in 2003.

Rainone was also an accomplished football coach at CFHS. He began as an assistant coach from 1974-78 and then took over as the head coach from 1979-97. During that time span, Rainone’s squads won two division titles and made two Super Bowl appearances. He is a member of the Rhode Island High School Football Coaches and the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fames. After stepping down as the Head Football Coach, Rainone served as Central Falls’ Athletic Director from 1997-03.

He is currently on the Executive Boards for the Rhode Island Injury Fund, the Rhode Island Football Foundation and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Rhode Island Football Coaches Association.

Rainone resides in Cranston with his wife Kathleen ’73. They have two children: Sarah (26) and Matthew (22).

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