KINGSTON, R.I. – April 12, 2023 – The weather looks good for Thursday night’s Nearly Naked Mile taking place on the University of Rhode Island Quadrangle on Thursday night, this April 13 — whew!

This week’s warm weather has been bringing students to the Quad in droves and the good weather predicted is a bonus for what is always a fun event, sponsored annually by the Student Alumni Association.

URI’s annual Nearly Naked Mile takes place this Thursday on the Quad, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., putting a twist on the typical clothing drive. Students are invited to run or walk nearly naked or dressed in their best costumes. No money is required to run, runners simply need to contribute at least two new or gently used articles of clothing at the beginning of the race to be donated to the Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need. Learn more and sign up here.

With a charge to “donate stuff, run in the buff!,” the annual one-mile run/walk event calls attention to the challenges faced by homeless people in the state.

Check-in starts at 4:30 p.m.; the race begins at 5:15 p.m. Register online or in person on the day of the race.

After the Naked Mile, the Muddy Sunday

Oozeball is another one of the Student Alumni Association’s signature events.

Hundreds of URI students will turn out to participate in Rhody’s muddiest tradition on Sunday, April 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the Student Alumni Association hosts Oozeball 2023. This year’s Oozeball Chair is Katie Torlai ’24.

Students, register by April 16 to join in the muddy fun! A full team consists of 6 players. Those registering by themselves or in pairs will be placed on a team. The cost to register is $20 single, $40 double, or $120 per 6-person team.

Oozeball is … just what it sounds like: a very messy single-elimination volleyball tournament played in nearly a foot of mud (we are an ag school after all!). Add in music and screaming spectators (and food!) and you have Oozeball. For a look at last year’s muddy madness, visit here for video and photos.

URI’s Student Alumni Association held its first Oozeball tournament in 1990, started by the SAA to raise money for an endowment fund and to boost school spirit.  Five hundred students turned out for that inaugural tournament and the numbers have climbed each year.

This year’s Oozeball field, located by the Plains Road Lot near the transfer station, is plowed by local farmers and drenched by the Kingston Fire Department. More mud = more fun. Guests are welcome to come cheer on the squishy competitors at no charge.

To learn more about either event, contact Kassie Patatanes at kpatatanes@uri.edu, see @uri_saa, or visit to learn more about the Student Alumni Association. SAA is always looking for new members!