The Rhode Island Interscholastic League joins new RIIL-partner Horizon Healthcare Partners in recognizing the third annual 988 Day on September 8 (9/8), a national initiative led by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to raise awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) and highlight the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking help. 988 Day is a key part of the broader September focus on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and recovery. This year’s 988 Day theme is “988 Reasons: Your reason is enough,” highlighting the many reasons people may need support, such as a difficult moment, a mental health challenge, or a concern for someone else. Our participation aims to remind those who are struggling that they are not alone. Anyone can call, text, or chat 988 anytime, 24/7, to connect with a skilled, caring, and non-judgmental 988 counselor, who will listen, help with safety planning when needed, and connect them with additional resources. Learn more about The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at: hhpartners.org/988

WARWICK, R.I. – [September 1, 2026] – The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Horizon Healthcare Partners, operators of Rhode Island’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to champion student-athlete mental health statewide. Through this collaboration, the RIIL will be better suited to meet the mental and emotional well-being of the entire RIIL community, which serves approximately 40,000 middle school and high school student-athletes across the state. Today’s youth are swimming in an endless sea of notifications, algorithms, and social stressors—making it easier than ever to feel isolated. 988 serves as a 24/7-365 open door to offer what youth and their families truly need in a crisis: a real, compassionate human connection when they’re unsure where to turn. Click HERE to read more.

Rhode Island Interscholastic League Executive Director Mike Lunney, Johnston High School Athletic Director Justin Erickson & RIIL flag football players joined Dr. Jen Welter & Patriots Quarterback Alum Brian Hoyer as Patriots Preseason Week 2 Keepers of the Light last Saturday at Gillette Stadium to celebrate Rhode Island becoming the first New England state to sanction girls high school flag football.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA). Through this collaboration, the RIIL and RISLA aim to expand access to college planning resources, financial aid guidance and financial literacy support for Rhode Island student-athletes and their families. For decades, RISLA has helped students and families navigate the college planning process by providing affordable student loan options, free admissions and financial aid guidance through its College Planning Center, and financial literacy programs for high school and college students.

Ortho RI - proud Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Partner of the RIIL - will be hosting FREE pre-participation physicals to RIIL high school student-athletes at 3 locations: Warwick - Wednesday, 7/29, 5:00pm-6:30pm; Providence - Wednesday, 8/12, 5:00pm-6:30pm; and Middletown - weeks of 7/27 and 8/10, by appointment Click HERE to Learn more about how to schedule an appointment.

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s 12th annual Peanut Butter Express Challenge generated more than 1,500 pounds of peanut butter for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, continuing a yearly statewide student-led effort to support neighbors facing food insecurity. Smithfield Public Schools led the collection effort with Smithfield High School collecting the most peanut butter at 518.5 pounds and Gallagher Middle School in Smithfield leading all middle schools and finishing third overall with 317 pounds. Johnston High School collected the second-highest amount of peanut butter among all schools with close to 330 pounds.

WARWICK, RI – The Rhode Island Interscholastic League will honor 19 individuals, including 16 student-athletes, for their exemplary achievements over the past year at its 14th annual RIIL Awards Breakfast, to be held Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Chelo’s Banquet Room, 2225 Post Road, Warwick, R.I. (Registration from 9:30-10 a.m.). Tickets, which cost $28 per person, may be purchased online at https://gofan.co/app/school/RIIL by April 22. For more information, contact Susana Borges via email at susana.borges@riil.org or by phone at the League Office at 401-272-9844. No tickets will be sold at the door.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting student leadership and opportunity, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) is proud to partner with the Papitto Opportunity Connection and to help spread the word about POC’s 2026 Transform RI Scholarship (TRIS), a unique opportunity for Rhode Island high school students to win big while making a meaningful impact in their communities. Students answer just one question: If you had $1 million to improve the lives of those most in need in Rhode Island, how would you do it? One winning idea receives $1 million to bring it to life plus a $25,000 scholarship, and nine finalists receive $5,000–$15,000 scholarships.

Navigant Credit Union delivering $10K in grants & scholarships to RIIL schools Representatives from the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and Navigant Credit Union were back out on the roads this week with their ceremonial check in hand, traveling from Cranston to Burrillville to Pawtucket to recognize the top performing students and schools in the second annual Financial Trivia Challenge. Open to RIIL-member high school and middle school students, the second annual Financial Trivia Challenge, sponsored by Navigant Credit Union, was a fun way for students to test their financial literacy through a virtual program. From February 2nd to March 17th, participants could log into the app and answer as many financial trivia questions as possible within 2 minutes. Students were welcome to take the challenge up to 30 times to try and improve their score, while comparing their results with others from across the state. Nearly 1,800 students from 28 cities and towns participated in the challenge over the last month and a half.