Students braved temperatures in the 90s last weekend to spend time with their families as part of the university's annual Family Weekend and created an on-campus atmosphere that junior Tim Wiles described as similar to Pig Roast. "It was electric," he said.
New stadium? Check. New high-profile transfer quarterback? Check. New greater sense of school pride surrounding the football team?
While I agree with Mr. Anderton that it was disheartening to see so many students leave this past weekend's football game early, I find his personal attacks to be even more disheartening. To characterize the student body as "self-absorbed and over-indulged group of apathetic human beings" is a vast exaggeration, especially when making such a generalization regarding a football game. There are students on campus that work two jobs, that volunteer throughout the city of Richmond and that stay up late in the library to succeed at this academically challenging institution.
I thought I was going to get over this, but the more I think about it, the madder I get. I am fortunate enough to have tickets to the Richmond Spiders football games this year, but unfortunately, that also provided me with the opportunity to witness one of the most pathetic examples of student spirit I have ever seen. I'm not sure how many seats there are in the so-called "student section," but by the third quarter of last week's game, it was empty.
The University of Richmond may employ a tailback-by-committee attack, but in its 34-13 loss on Saturday to the University of Delaware, it may have found a head for that committee. Redshirt freshman Jovan Smith ran for 102 yards on 10 carries to give Richmond its first 100-yard rusher this season.
In the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams, the University of Delaware Blue Hens used their overwhelming air attack, led by quarterback Pat Devlin's 240 passing yards to defeat the University of Richmond Spiders, 34-13, at Robins Stadium Saturday evening. The Blue Hens were first to score with a seven-yard run by freshman quarterback Trevor Sasek, but Richmond defensive lineman Martin Parker blocked the extra-point kick, leaving the score 6-0 to Delaware. That would be the only score of the first quarter, but Delaware's freshman running back Andrew Pierce scored on a two-yard run early in the second quarter.
Although the Richmond Spiders won their first game of the season last week, they suffered a serious loss with junior wide receiver Donte Boston suffering a broken rib early during the second half. Boston, who is expected to miss at least two to three weeks, had three catches for 57 yards against Elon before leaving with his injury.
Approximately 425 families are waiting to see if they will be able to attend Saturday's Family Weekend football game against the University of Delaware Blue Hens, said Elizabeth Gilkeson King, director of Events Management. "There are a limited number of tickets available for Family Weekend participants and students, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis," according to the university website. There was an opportunity for families to request tickets on a wait list and provide comments about attending the game.
The campus police are preparing for the second football game at the new E. Claiborne Robins Stadium after a successful launch of the game-day traffic and parking procedures at last week's first home game, Administrative Services Lieutenant John Jacobs said. Although he doesn't expect substantial changes in procedure since last Saturday, Jacobs said the University of Richmond Police Department would have to make some modifications to the traffic and parking redistribution on campus before this Saturday's game against the University of Delaware. Because more people will be on campus this Saturday for Family Weekend at Richmond, Jacobs said he was expecting as many as 1,000 more cars on campus. If the weather forecast is accurate, it is hoped that all cars will be able to park on pavement on campus again this weekend, Jacobs said. Since the URPD was able to direct many students to park their vehicles on grass or interior lots last weekend, more parking spaces were made available to game traffic, which improved traffic flow and prevented the police from having to turn incoming cars to community streets to park, Jacobs said. "On Saturday, we still had Modlin, CV lot, a small section of R lot and some space in the Alumni parking lot [available to park more cars]," Jacobs said.
The University of Richmond defeated Elon 27-21 in overtime on Saturday in front of a sold out crowd in the inaugural game at Robins Stadium.
Like a villain in a horror movie, senior linebacker Eric McBride was lurking, waiting for his moment.
Although the University of Richmond lost its season opener on Sept. 4 at the University of Virginia, a piece of a potent air attack emerged. With wide receivers Kevin Grayson being limited by a knee injury and Donte Boston suspended for one game, junior Tre Gray became junior Aaron Corp's favorite target.
Martin Parker has been a defensive lineman for the University of Richmond football team since he redshirted as a freshman five years ago, and yet he has never played a real home game. "I know I want to be the first one to get the sack in Robins Stadium," Parker said.
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.
"If you build it, they will come." This famous line from "Field of Dreams" could not be more appropriate for the inaugural home football game in Robins Stadium this Saturday against Elon University. An on-campus football stadium has been years in the making.
On Saturday, Sept. 18, the dynamics of a typical lodge will be completely different: the parties will start at 9 a.m., and liquor will be permitted. Lodge events, along with other tailgating sites, will open four hours prior to the kick-off of the University of Richmond's first on-campus football game against Elon University in the new E.
Imagine that a certain someone (me) walks up to the doors of Gottwald on a weekend. This person (me), being a bio major, expects to be able to get into an academic building after hours.
The University of Richmond football team lost to former coach Mike London and the University of Virginia, 34-13, Saturday night at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. Contact photographer Anna Kuta at anna.kuta@richmond.edu and photographer Jimmy Young at jimmy.young@richmond.edu
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- It wasn't so long ago that Richmond was known for its tough run defense. It wasn't so long ago that the Spiders held the rushing attack of Duke University to under 20 yards.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Former Richmond football head coach Mike London won his debut as the University of Virginia head coach, beating Richmond 34-13 Saturday night at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. The UVa.
