A gate on the outer fence line of Robins Stadium will attract the attention of Spider fans as they enter the first on-campus football game at the University of Richmond.
The spiderweb-inspired gate, emblazoned in Richmond blue and red, appears to be a new decorative piece highlighting the pride of Spider football, but it is actually a remnant of Richmond football's past.
The gate was originally a piece of UR Stadium, where it served as a special entrance for Spider Athletic Fund donors. It was the gateway to "Catlett's Web," an area where the donors congregated before games and during halftime to socialize.
Catlett's Web was a solution to a problem that donor Stephen Catlett, RC '62, and his friends experienced during Spider home games. They used to buy two tickets to every game so they could leave the stadium at halftime to have a cold beer and a sandwich. Alcohol was prohibited inside the stadium, and re-entry was not permitted.
"At the time, there weren't any good perks for being a donor," Catlett said. "I wanted to come up with some."
The Spider Athletic Fund took Catlett's advice and decided to use an area on the side of the stadium for reserved parking for those who contributed $2,500 or more to the fund. Contributors were also granted access to Catlett's Web.
"When deciding on an entrance for the new area, we thought, why not a spiderweb," Catlett said. "That way there would be no doubt whose it was."
Plans for the gate were drawn up and sent to a Richmond manufacturer, and the gate was installed for the 1987 season.
"When you entered Catlett's Web, you hadn't yet entered the stadium, so drinking was allowed," he said. "I used to bring a cooler full of beer and give them away. It was a great social tool."
The space was eventually used for football and class reunions, and played an important part of athletic fundraising.
Catlett's company, Southern Brick Contractors, Inc., has built part or all of 15 buildings on the Richmond campus. But before it was his company, Catlett's father was the owner.
Catlett became emotional when he described his decision to donate the gate in honor of his father.
"My father didn't get to finish high school or go to college, so my involvement with the university was very important to him," he said.
Twenty years ago, Catlett and his father flew all the way to London to watch a special football game between Richmond and Boston University.
Catlett said that his father had not been in very good health at that time, but he was so happy to be there with his son.
"We had a great time," Catlett said. "We always did."
Contact staff writer Zak Kozuchowski at zak.kozuchowski@richmond.edu
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