University of Rhode Island coaches don't like to see homegrown athletes get away, especially to schools URI plays against.

Matt Sherry of Rumford and Bishop Hendricken went to Villanova and became the best tight end in the Colonial Athletic Association, a problem for the Rams football team during his career. This year, as a senior, he was the CAA football student-athlete of the year, led the Wildcats in receptions and receiving yards, was first-team All-CAA, first-team All-ECAC, and honorable mention All-America. On Sunday he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

"We consciously recruit Rhode Island with the whole idea that we're the state school and we should be helping state athletes and coaches," URI track coach John Copeland said.

A steady procession of Rhode Island track athletes has made its way to Kingston. Yudewheh Gbaa of Providence, a Hope High alum, was a star jumper the last two years. Colin Aina of East Providence had a great career before graduating two years ago.

"We're looking for athletes who will help us out, who are good students, who fit in our approach to track and field," Copeland said.

Copeland has the equivalent of three full scholarships, 9.6 fewer than the NCAA maximum, which he divides among as many athletes as possible. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, he said.

Laurie Feit-Melnick, the women's track coach at URI, has 17 scholarships that she distributes to about half of the 50 women on her team. Rhode Islanders have the edge when it comes to a full scholarship, she said.