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 26 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 19 varsity sports and in the Colonial Athletic Association in one varsity sport (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 Alaugh
Lacrosse (women's): Sue Murphy
Soccer (women's): Peter Albright
Soccer (men's): Jeff Gettler
Swimming & Diving (women's): Matt Barany
Tennis (men's): Billy Boykin
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 the Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness.

Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness

Adjacent to the Robins Center, the 90,000 square foot Weinstein Center is one of the most actively and universally used buildings on campus. It is one of only five facilities in the country to receive the 2008 National Intramural Recreational Sports Association Outstanding Sports Facility award. Features include a three court gymnasium, an elevated jogging track, a Wellness Center with fitness assessment and massage therapy rooms, a two-level fitness center, two multipurpose rooms, locker rooms with saunas, and a game room with billiards, table tennis, and Dance Dance Revolution.

UR Stadium

Located about 10 minutes from campus near downtown Richmond, this 21,319-seat stadium is home to the Spiders' 2005 Atlantic 10 Championship football team and features a natural grass playing field, electronic scoreboard, spacious locker rooms and training area.

Beginning in 2010, the football team will host their home games in the renovated First Market Stadium, bringing Spider football back home to campus.

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.

First Market Stadium will be undergoing an expansion into a state-of-the-art multipurpose athletic facility, which will serve as the home of the Richmond football, soccer, lacrosse, and track and field teams. The new stadium will seat 8,700 spectators and is projected to open for the fall 2010 seasons.

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.

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 or contact Assistant Athletic Director/Compliance Daniel McCarthy at 804-287-6551 or dmccart2@richmond.edu. You also may wish to contact the NCAA at 317-917-6222 or visit the NCAA online.