CCRI is home to one of the Ocean State’s finest and most successful intercollegiate athletic programs. Since its inception in 1965, the CCRI program has long been considered a front-runner in New England community college and junior college athletic circles.

The basketball, baseball, volleyball, and soccer teams have all been nationally ranked. The 2002 women’s soccer team captured the school’s first national championship, while a number of other squads, including men’s basketball and women’s soccer, were national runners-up. With more than 6,000 victories, 200 All-Americans, and 900 All-Region selections, CCRI is a leader among New England community colleges. Great coaching is the key to CCRI’s success, and the school has always featured legendary coaches. From Hall of Fame athletic director and men’s basketball coach Vin Cullen, to baseball coaches Whitey Fell and Art Pontarelli, tennis coach Ray Carr and volleyball coach Gail Davis, the tradition of top-flight teaching continues through the present day coaches Doug Haynes, Gabe Toro, Jeff Patten, John Dao, Marcus Douthit, Paul Mercier and Joe Hopkins.

A member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and associate member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the College currently fields intercollegiate men’s teams in baseball, basketball, and soccer. Intercollegiate women’s teams include volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball. 

The Community College of Rhode Island has proven to be a stepping stone for many student athletes who moved on to complete their academic and athletic careers at four-year colleges and universities throughout the nation.