On April 3, the Providence Gridiron Club honored several figures in the University of Rhode Island football community in a ceremony held at the Quonset O Club in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
One of the recipients of the awards was fifth-year running back Gabe Sloat, who was recognized as embodying the famous lyrics of University of Rhode Island’s fight song, “Rhode Island born and Rhode Island bred.”
Sloat was named as the Home State Hero, a title that represents his continued dedication to URI’s football program, according to URI Head Coach Jim Flemming. Sloat has been with the Rhode Island program for five seasons, and he has played significant roles on both offense and special teams.
“We’ve all watched enough Rhody football, he seems to have been here for 90 years,” Fleming said. “He’s always a guy that comes in like Clark Kent and walks out like Superman. He will hit a play or two during every game so he’s very steady, he knows he can advance the ball, running the ball, his ability out of the backfield is spectacular catching it.”
In his career in Keaney Blue, Sloat has rushed for 424 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while catching a pass in the endzone as a part of his 362 career receiving yards. Sloat prides himself on his ability to play multiple roles and on his consistency.
“I just want to be a go-to player, somebody that this team can rely on,” Sloat said. “When things are going good or going tough, I hope I can be steady and make the plays so we can get to where we want to go. I expect a lot for myself, the coaches expect a lot from me, so I hope I can just pull through on all of that and be the player that I know I can be every day.”
Fleming also agreed that Sloat’s versatility is important.
“He’s just one of those silent assassins [and] I love to see what he can continue to bring to the table,” Fleming said. “He will give us plays in the kicking game as a punt returner and plays as a running back and he can play all downs because he knows what we are doing.”
Whether he is taking a handoff, catching a pass or returning a punt, at the end of the day Sloat said he is just happy to be a Rhode Island Ram.
“To play in Rhode Island and being from Rhode Island, it’s not really known for its football so I’m proud to be playing here and representing this school when we are trying to turn a corner and put Rhode Island football on the map,” Sloat said. “I hope I’m inspiring other people in Rhode Island… Hopefully they can come here and keep Rhode Island football going.”
Sloat and the rest of the Rams are back in action as the summer winds to a close when they host the College of Holy Cross on Aug. 31 in their 2024 home opener.