It stands directly next to Meade Stadium, and the original field house and west (visitor's side) grandstands were demolished to make way for the building.

The women's basketball team won the first-ever regular season game in the Ryan Center 53–39 over Kent State on Nov. 22, 2002 and four days later the men made their official debut in the building with a 73–71 overtime upset over the University of Southern California.

Rhode Island lighthouses were the inspiration for the design of the three towers, marking the North and South entrances of The Ryan Center.

Standing 86 feet (26 m) high and located on the University of Rhode Island campus in scenic South County the building is 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2).

For the 2013–2014 season Rhode Island introduced a brand new basketball court named after the local jewelry company Alex and Ani.