What Is 1983 Rhode Island Rams football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1983 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Bob Griffin. They competed in the Yankee Conference, posting a 3–4 conference record, and played their home games at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island.

Key Facts

The 1983 Rhode Island Rams finished the season with a 5–6 overall record
They were coached by Bob Griffin, who led the program from 1973 to 1987
The team played in the NCAA Division I-AA, now known as the FCS
They had a 3–4 record in the Yankee Conference during the 1983 season
Home games were held at Meade Stadium in Kingston, Rhode Island

Overview

The 1983 Rhode Island Rams football team represented the University of Rhode Island in the NCAA Division I-AA football season, marking the 11th year under head coach Bob Griffin. Competing in the Yankee Conference, the Rams aimed to improve on previous campaigns but finished with a slightly losing record.

The team played its home games at Meade Stadium, a 5,100-seat venue in Kingston, Rhode Island, and faced a challenging schedule that included regional rivals and independent programs. Despite not qualifying for the postseason, the season contributed to the long-term development of the program during a transitional era in college football.

The 1983 season record was 5–6 overall, with three wins in conference play and four losses, placing them in the lower half of the Yankee Conference standings.
Head coach Bob Griffin was in his 11th season at the helm, having led the Rams since 1973 and compiling a mixed record during his tenure.
The Rams played in the NCAA Division I-AA, the second tier of Division I football, which was established in 1978 and later renamed the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
They competed in the Yankee Conference, a league that included teams such as UMass, Connecticut, and Maine, and served as a primary football conference for New England schools.
Meade Stadium, their home field, has been the Rams’ home since 1953 and underwent several renovations over the decades to improve facilities and capacity.

How It Works

College football teams are organized by division, conference, and scheduling structure, with performance tracked through wins, losses, and postseason eligibility. The 1983 Rhode Island Rams operated within this framework, competing in a defined conference and division level.

Division I-AA:This classification, introduced in 1978, separated lower-resource programs from the top-tier Division I-A (now FBS). The Rams competed here to balance competitiveness and scholarship limitations.
Yankee Conference:Founded in 1947, this conference was a key part of Northeast college football. By 1983, it functioned as a football-only league with seven members.
Head Coach Role:Bob Griffin was responsible for team strategy, player development, and game management. He served as head coach from 1973 to 1987, one of the longest tenures in program history.
Season Structure:The 1983 season consisted of 11 games, typical for I-AA teams. Non-conference and conference games were used to build records and rankings.
Postseason Eligibility:To qualify for the I-AA playoffs, teams needed strong records and conference standings. The Rams did not qualify in 1983, finishing below .500 overall.
Home Field Advantage:Playing at Meade Stadium provided familiarity with field conditions and local support. The venue’s capacity limited attendance but fostered a tight-knit fan base.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1983 Rhode Island Rams compare to other teams in their conference and division during the same season:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Postseason Result	Head Coach
Rhode Island Rams	5–6	3–4	Did not qualify	Bob Griffin
UMass	6–5	4–3	Did not qualify	Bob Pickett
Connecticut	4–7	2–5	Did not qualify	Walt Nadzak
Maine	5–6	4–3	Did not qualify	Tom Lichtenberg
William & Mary	7–4	5–2	Lost in first round	Jim Root

The table shows that the 1983 Rams were competitive within the Yankee Conference, finishing near the middle of the pack. While they matched Maine’s overall record, Maine had a better conference performance. William & Mary was the only team from the conference to reach the playoffs, highlighting the difficulty of qualifying. The Rams’ performance reflected a program in transition, balancing development with competitive pressure.

Why It Matters

The 1983 season is a snapshot of the University of Rhode Island’s football program during a period of moderate competitiveness and structural evolution in college athletics. Though not a championship year, it contributed to the historical continuity of the team and provided experience for future seasons.

The 5–6 record demonstrated incremental progress under long-term coach Bob Griffin, who shaped the program’s identity over 15 seasons.
Competing in Division I-AA allowed URI to maintain football relevance while managing athletic department resources more sustainably than FBS programs.
Participation in the Yankee Conference fostered regional rivalries and scheduling stability, enhancing fan engagement and team cohesion.
Development of players during this era laid groundwork for future improvements, including deeper playoff runs in later decades.
Historical data from 1983 helps track the evolution of the Rams, now competing in the CAA Football Conference as part of the FCS.
Meade Stadium’s role as a consistent home venue underscores the importance of infrastructure in sustaining college football programs at the FCS level.

The 1983 Rhode Island Rams may not be remembered for trophies or upsets, but they represent the steady effort required to build and maintain a collegiate football program through changing eras.