On Nov. 18, the University of Rhode Island’s club men’s ice hockey team beat Northern Illinois University in Chicago, 2-0. This win was number 708 for head coach Joe Augustine, and marked the breaking of the previous all-time win record set by Frank Keaney, a man whose name is synonymous with URI athletics.
Keaney’s record had been held since 1948, when he coached his final season for the baseball team. He also coached football, men’s basketball and track and field. Keaney, who is often credited as the “architect of modern basketball and inventor of the fast break,” is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Augustine has been coaching the URI club hockey team since 1989. He even has an ACHA national championship under his belt that he won in 2006. The team has seen continued success over his tenure, including a 17-1 home record in the 2022-23 season. Augustine attributes his coaching style to the way he was raised.
“The people who influenced my style the most are my parents,” Augustine said. “Just do the right thing, represent your family the right way. That’s the way we did our business every day, and that’s what we expect from these guys.”
Augustine played defenseman for Boston College from 1975-78 and is a member of their Varsity Club Hall of Fame. He is also one of the few BC defenseman to reach the 100-point mark. Given his experience, Augustine noted that in the case of his athlete’s responsibilities, the team operates no differently than a Division I program.
“As far as the daily responsibilities, they answer the bell,” Augustine said. “Going to school, maintaining grades, practicing every day, hitting the weight room and so forth.”
A once popular movement, the idea of URI’s men’s ice hockey team joining the NCAA Division I, has since dwindled after the team saw University grant funds go elsewhere. The topic still remains relevant for discussion, although this decision is beyond Augustine.
“I can only worry about what I control,” Augustine said, “For me, that’s the team, the way we play and the way we represent the University.”
Augustine made it a point that he makes sure his players are aware that they are always representing not just themselves, but the team and the University.
In terms of the University, Augustine said he has a lot of respect for the history that has been through Kingston. The recent news concerning the coach has been the breaking of Frank Keaney’s 70+ year win record at URI. Augustine remained humble given the recent comparisons to Keaney.
“To me, even being mentioned in the same breath as him, it just doesn’t seem right.” Augustine said. “You talk about fulfilling one life, that guy lived eight.”
Augustine also noted reading William Woodward’s biography written about Keaney titled “Keaney: If you don’t love to play, pivot and go home!.” He brought up that reading the biography taught him a lot about the University, from the history of this campus to the innovations of Keaney himself. Augustine stated that he believes every coach on this campus can gain something from reading the book.
“When I read it I was so sorry I didn’t read it earlier,” Augustine said. “It gave me a whole new perspective on him, and the entire school.”
The team’s current general manager, Christian Rigamonti, also played under Augustine from 1990-94. He joined the coaching staff in 1998, and has spent countless hours working with Augustine when it comes to working with players.
“We hold our players accountable for all their actions,” Rigamonti said. “Being a good teammate, having character and representing the University. These things will take anyone beyond their playing career.”
Seeing the similarities between the answers from Rigamonti and Augustine, it is not hard to piece together how the team has remained successful and cohesive throughout the last two decades.
The men’s hockey team currently sits with a record of 9-7, with their most recent game being a 5-2 win over the University of Alabama. They currently reside at fourth in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League. Their next game will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they will face off against Drexel University on Friday.