Former University Of Rhode Island Director of Athletics Ron Petro Has Died

KINGSTON, RI — Former University of Rhode Island Director of Athletics Ron Petro has died, the school said on its website.

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"Petro served as the Director of Athletics at Rhode Island from 1992-2004," according to a media release.

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"While at URI, Petro oversaw the completion of the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena, and the men's basketball team made its deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history, going to the Elite Eight," the release said. "He also added women's rowing as an NCAA varsity program in 1996, and the team has since won 11 Atlantic 10 titles. Petro served as the Executive Director of the Women's Final Four in Boston in 2006."

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Interim Director of Athletics Brittney Miles told of the impression Petro made on the school.

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"Ron Petro had a significant impact on athletics at the University of Rhode Island," Miles said in the release. "He left quite a legacy in the realm of college athletics. Our thoughts are with his family. May he and his late wife Sally rest in peace."

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