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University of Richmond

Athletics

At the University of Richmond, we're able to do something many other small schools cannot--compete successfully in NCAA Division I athletics. For three straight years, our student-athletes have combined to win the Commissioner's Cup, an award recognizing the best overall athletic program in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

But the success of our student-athletes goes beyond the scoreboard alone. The University of Richmond is currently ranked fourth nationally in graduation rate for our student-athletes, as 97 percent of them earn their degrees.

In addition to varsity sports, Richmond offers approximately 24 club sports for students, providing men and women with opportunities for leadership, recreation, instruction and competition in a variety of activities.

NCAA Division I Sports at the University of Richmond

The Spiders compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference in 17 varsity sports and in the Colonial Athletic Association in two varsity sports (football and women's golf). For more information on varsity sports, visit the official athletics Web site, www.RichmondSpiders.com.

Team and Coach:

  • Baseball: Mark McQueen
  • Basketball (men's): Chris Mooney
  • Basketball (women's): Michael Shafer
  • Cross Country (men's): Steve Taylor
  • Cross Country (women's): Lori Taylor
  • Field Hockey (women's): Gina Lucido
  • Football: Mike London
  • Golf (men's): Adam Decker
  • Golf (women's): Leighann Albaugh
  • Lacrosse (women's): Sue Murphy
  • Soccer (women's): Peter Albright
  • Soccer (men's): Jeff Gettler
  • Swimming & Diving (women's): Matt Barany
  • Tennis (men's): Brandon Thornton (interim head coach)
  • Tennis (women's): Mark Wesselink
  • Track and Field (men's, indoor and outdoor): Steve Taylor
  • Track and Field (women's, indoor and outdoor): Lori Taylor

Why the "Spiders"?

From 1876 to 1893, Richmond carried the nickname "Colts" into its athletic contests, so dubbed for their play as an "energetic group of young colts." In the summer of 1893, a new nickname was born. A baseball team comprised of University of Richmond athletes and city residents adopted the name "Spiders." Star pitcher Puss Ellyson's lanky arms and stretching kick confused batters to such an extent that Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Ragland Chesterman used the name of that "clever, creeping insect," the spider, to fittingly describe the erudite members of the team. So was created perhaps the most unique school nickname in the nation. To this day, the University of Richmond is the only school in the country that sports the nickname "Spiders."

Athletic Facilities

Robins Center

The Robins Center is home to 19 athletic squads and a 9,071-seat arena for men's and women's basketball. In addition, it contains offices for coaches and administrators, the University's Athletics Hall of Fame, a six-lane swimming pool, racquetball/handball courts, squash courts and a full fitness center.

UR Stadium

Located about 10 minutes from campus near downtown Richmond, this 21,319-seat stadium is home to the Spiders' 2007 CAA Football Championship team, which finished ranked fourth nationally. The field features a natural grass playing surface, electronic scoreboard, spacious locker rooms and training area.

Pitt Field (Baseball)

Located on campus, Pitt Field is the home of the University of Richmond's successful baseball program. A new infield surface, dugouts and major league-style backstop were part of a renovation project completed in 2004. In the winter of 2005, the overall appearance of Pitt Field received a dramatic landscaping overhaul, including brick pillars and wrought-iron fencing surrounding the playing surface that matches the University's architectural design.

First Market Stadium

With seating for 2,000 spectators, this lighted complex includes state-of-the-art Field Turf, a soft, synthetic surface used by many major college and professional teams, as well as a 40m, eight-lane, rubberized track. The stadium is home to men's and women's soccer, women's lacrosse, and track and field. The football team uses the facility for practice sessions.

Tennis Complex

This eight-court facility is located on the Westhampton side of campus and features a new computerized scoreboard that can track six matches simultaneously. In all, the Spiders have two outdoor facilities with a total of 16 courts.

Crenshaw Field (Field Hockey)

Home of the Spiders' four-time defending Atlantic 10 Champion Field Hockey team, the Stadia Premier Turf field is an ideal playing surface for field hockey games. The site is also used as a multi-sport practice facility.

Initiate Contact with a Coach

If you have questions about a varsity athletic program, please feel free to contact the appropriate coach directly. Their names are listed above. You should be aware that because of NCAA regulations, coaches have limits on the number of times they are allowed to contact prospects by phone. The best way for you to make yourself known to a coach is to write, e-mail or send in the athletic information sheet available on the Athletics Web site. Appropriate information supplied by you can enable the coach to respond to your questions more effectively, and it may allow the coach to gauge whether or not you would be a competitive athlete at Richmond. If you hope to meet with a coach when you visit campus, it is best to contact him or her in advance. Most have very active travel schedules and are not always available on campus.

NCAA Compliance

The University of Richmond is committed and obligated to the principles of institutional control in operating its athletics program in a manner consistent with the letter and the spirit of the NCAA, Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), and University rules and regulations. For additional information and interpretations, visit our NCAA Compliance Web site, contact the NCAA at 317-917-6222 or visit the NCAA online.

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