What’s your history with Richmond?

[plydogg]

This may seem like a dumb post but is something I would really love to know for everybody. Let me start by saying, a Spider is a Spider. Whether you went here, your parent, relative, or child went here. Or if you’re just a fan. I know for some of you, but it would be great to know for more of you.

5 people I would love to know. 23, 4700, GKiller, SF, and Fan1. I’m sure you all have posted before but in the thousands of posts it gets lost.

I’ll start.

Graduate of 2016. Lived in Marsh my freshman year. South my sophomore year and apartments the following two. Loved every second of my time and married a beautiful Spider bride. I’m an Econ major, wife is an accounting major.

 

[spider23]

1992 Grad. Wood Hall-Wood Hall-Freeman-Apartments. Hooped a little in Millhiser and carpet gym. My best story was playing in the carpet gym on Kenny Atkinson's team one time. Got hot and made a couple jumpers in a row and he started calling me money. Until I blew a layup and he jumped my shit . Great thing about Richmond was could go out to fraternity row, run into some players and talk some Richmond hoops. I owned Brian Muldowney when we played pick up.

 

[Section9.RowD]

'96 grad ... Thomas for 1st 2 years and apts for final 2 years. Grew up in SW GA but granddad grew up on a tobacco farm near Danville (Chatham), VA and went to UR/MCV in mid to late 1920s. 1-2 in seeing in UR NCAA tourney games ... CompSci/Math major and IT consulting for 30 year career. Left RVA after school for 20+ years but returned in 2017 - now ~7 minutes from campus and moving in July and will be 6.5 minutes from campus. Daughter and only kid transferring in as sophomore and starting her own UR journey in Aug.

Drop by Section 9 Row D next season or connect with me at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogersb...re_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

 

[SFspidur]

2000 grad, lived in Thomas (sorry, Residence Hall 2) all four years. Chem major and a swimmer, while it lasted.

 

[urfan1]

'7 RC, PolSci/Soc '77 Law, townie, but did live in law dorms first 2 years LS. Ran track and cross-country, first 2 years. Started as 3 mile and steeple chase, Hardy saw some speed kept moving me to shorter races, ending up running mile relay, quarter, half, 1000, and 2 mile relay (all WO's ranked #10 nationally at a point low to mid 7:20's) After 2nd year had to do some soul searching; had been trying to keep up grades, run, have a social life, but had to work to be able to attend, grades were good, but not LS level. Broke my heart, but chose to hang up the cleets, able to devote more time and energy and grades went way up and was admitted to LS.

 

[MrTbone]

1992 Grad. Wood Hall-Wood Hall-Freeman-Apartments. Hooped a little in Millhiser and carpet gym. My best story was playing in the carpet gym on Kenny Atkinson's team one time. Got hot and made a couple jumpers in a row and he started calling me money. Until I blew a layup and he jumped my shit . Great thing about Richmond was could go out to fraternity row, run into some players and talk some Richmond hoops. I owned Brian Muldowney when we played pick up.

You know the Marsh Hall Donkey then.

 

[72Spider]

'72 RC (English major), '78 Law; Lived in Thomas Hall freshman year, Freeman sophomore year; lived in off-campus apartments junior and senior year. Married between semesters senior year. active participant in food fights in Refectory; Played baseball as a pitcher all four years, starting pitcher against Navy in Mac Pitt's last game as a coach; Lambda Chi fraternity; live in Richmond and have been here since graduation in 1972.

 

[whampas]

'73 SBA (Accounting Major), lived in Jeter Hall and to me it will always be Jeter Hall. Walked on for football as a freshman fullback and got beat out by some guy named Barty Smith. Millhiser was my second home. Rarely missed a home football game in 50 plus years. Same for basketball until the JMU beat down the night Dick Tarrant was honored. Haven't been back since. Waiting for Mooney departure or death. Unfortunately I'm probably closer to the latter. Married a UVA grad and reside in Chesterfield.

 

[Anachnid]

RC 77 (Polysci, journ& eng) TCW 82. Marsh 3 Jeter 1. Swim (state champs senior year) and water polo 4 yrs-nationally ranked senior year. Many classes in Ryland Hall. Moved back to Peninsula (home area) after being in Richmond since graduation. Heading to retirement. Like Whampas, would like to outlive CM’s tenure.
As you can see, school has cancelled my dorm, my class building, my law school and my sports (two nieces had successful years swimming at UR around Ply’s years.)
Hey 72, what about the butter pats on and forks in the refectory ceiling? That took talent!

 

[gcarter52]

I graduated in 1978. I also lived in Thomas Hall my junior year and lived in Marsh Hall my senior year.

 

[gcarter52]

In 1976, I became the first black manager of the men’s basketball program during the era of Coach Carl Slone.

 

[72Spider]

RC 77 (Polysci, journ& eng) TCW 82. Marsh 3 Jeter 1. Swim (state champs senior year) and water polo 4 yrs-nationally ranked senior year. Many classes in Ryland Hall. Moved back to Peninsula (home area) after being in Richmond since graduation. Heading to retirement. Like Whampas, would like to outlive CM’s tenure.
As you can see, school has cancelled my dorm, my class building, my law school and my sports (two nieces had successful years swimming at UR around Ply’s years.)
Hey 72, what about the butter pats on and forks in the refectory ceiling? That took talent!

And a lot of practice! Can still hear the clanking of the fork against the drink glass to get it all started.

 

[fan2011]

You will never guess what year I graduated.

 

[RichmondNative]

Thanks @plydogg for starting this thread. Definitely an interesting one and a nice diversion from the usual debates.

As my forum name says, not a UR Grad but I do have a number of connections.

1) Spider baseball camp in 1978 (Robins almost new)

2) Games with Dad in middle and high school including NCAA tournament in 1984 to witness the Auburn upset and Indiana loss.

3) Games with my family starting in 2011-2012 to present (passing love of live college basketball on).

4) Daughter is a 2021 UR grad.

 

[whampas]

Surprised no one has mentioned my good buddy Pierpont. (Sp?)

 

[CarolinaSpider]

76 UR SBA Townie and left Richmond for Newark DE in 78 and then transferred to Winston Salem, NC in
81. Married an App State girl in 83 and moved to NC Coast in 2015 and officially retired in 2024. Played
one year of baseball at UR sophomore year. To this day my 3 best friends from freshman year were Townies
who still live in Richmond and still work though two of them more part time. I bleed red and blue.

 

[SpiderGuy]

Surprised no one has mentioned my good buddy Pierpont. (Sp?)

Pierpont was the best Labrador Retriever. Everybody’s friend. He used to walk into classrooms to take a nap while lectures were going on. Showed up at parties sometimes with empty beer can. If I’m not mistaken, there was a statue erected after he passed and was in student commons on the lake. Pierpont with Bassett Hound friend, Duke were mainstays on the campus.

 

[mojo-spider]

Surprised no one has mentioned my good buddy Pierpont. (Sp?)

best retriever and university dog I have ever seen...wasn't there a statue of him put somewhere on campus?

Go Spiders!

 

[mojo-spider]

74 Richmond College - BA Political Science - son of a 1944 Spider who did his best to guide me towards UR growing up in rural, southside VA...ha! in 1970 there were still kids from rural VA coming to Richmond...

my love of UR sports began with trips I can remember to see football games in the late 50's and early 60's... UR Football will always be my favorite Spiders' sport as the camaraderie and fellowship just cannot be matched even into old age...

During my years at Richmond, football was the flagship sport. I believe those were the best years ever for D-1 pre FCS seasons... Saturday's during football season were incredible fun and still will be in 2025 regardless of what level or conference we're playing in...

I've also enjoyed the resurgence of Spiders basketball beginning with the Dick Tarrant era...I'll never forget some of the best moments of our basketball program...and who says an old guy can't learn new things?...I'm on the MLAX freight train and last season became a Women's basketball fan...

My family and I owe the University of Richmond an awful lot...I married a Spider too!...made lifetime friends...etc.

My only UR regret is not taking academics too seriously...I could have learned a lot more!...Ha! I spent way too much time at my frat house, but I wouldn't trade those lifetime friends I made and the war stories we made for anything!

Go Spiders!

 

[urmite]

1986 SBA Accounting major. Townie, today I am back living in the same house I commuted from then. 1.4 miles to Boatwright Dr.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Pierpont was the best Labrador Retriever. Everybody’s friend. He used to walk into classrooms to take a nap while lectures were going on. Showed up at parties sometimes with empty beer can. If I’m not mistaken, there was a statue erected after he passed and was in student commons on the lake. Pierpont with Bassett Hound friend, Duke were mainstays on the campus.

Library was one of few bldgs with AC in 70s and one hot day I went in to cool off and saw no one was sitting on the sofa from the back. Only to come around to the front and find Duke completely stretched out on it, refusing to get off.

 

[whampas]

Pierpont was the best Labrador Retriever. Everybody’s friend. He used to walk into classrooms to take a nap while lectures were going on. Showed up at parties sometimes with empty beer can. If I’m not mistaken, there was a statue erected after he passed and was in student commons on the lake. Pierpont with Bassett Hound friend, Duke were mainstays on the campus.

I had forgotten about Pierpont's wingman, Duke. Thanks for the memories. Great times. Damn, it's great being a Spider.

 

[Anachnid]

Wasn’t there also Spacedog, a white with black markings mixed shepherd?

 

[AnnapSpider]

Started in 66’ and lived in the barracks. Definitely a cultural shock.
Ended going in the service for a few years, more cultural shock.
Came back and finished in ‘73 (polisci, and soc.).
Was one of the charter members, with other MD guys, to start a club
lacrosse program. We used to drink beer going to the games, and still
won. LOL Gee, I wonder what ever happened to that program. 😆 i
couldn’t be prouder of what has happened.

 

[spiderman]

80's b-schooler. Bo and Lowride were the dogs I remember on campus.
Didn't go to many hoops games ... which is weird considering my current addiction.
Played in a pickup game with Johnny Newman at Milheiser. He drove and the seas parted. He was a legend, and everyone was afraid to end up under him and be the guy that hurt J New.

 

[spiders13]

98 Grad. In HS, Went to UR basketball camp under Dick Tarrant, I recall he yelled at me for some reason, lol. Mom worked in the Library while I was in HS and throughout college ( was great to get her to do my laundry sometimes). Played in millhiser and a group of us would scrimmage with the women's team over the summers. Got diagnosed with cancer as a freshman so graduatd a year late, once treatment was over, Coach Dooley drove out to my parents house and presented a team signed basketball and hung out. He was a really nice guy and clearly did not have to do that. He just knew I was a huge basketball fan.

 

[VT4700]

98 Grad. In HS, Went to UR basketball camp under Dick Tarrant, I recall he yelled at me for some reason, lol. Mom worked in the Library while I was in HS and throughout college ( was great to get her to do my laundry sometimes). Played in millhiser and a group of us would scrimmage with the women's team over the summers. Got diagnosed with cancer as a freshman so graduatd a year late, once treatment was over, Coach Dooley drove out to my parents house and presented a team signed basketball and hung out. He was a really nice guy and clearly did not have to do that. He just knew I was a huge basketball fan.

Wow. So happy to hear u kicked cancer's ass. That much have been incredibly tough as a college freshman. Very cool about Dooley. And funny that Tarrant yelled at u.

 

[VT4700]

80's b-schooler. Bo and Lowride were the dogs I remember on campus.
Didn't go to many hoops games ... which is weird considering my current addiction.
Played in a pickup game with Johnny Newman at Milheiser. He drove and the seas parted. He was a legend, and everyone was afraid to end up under him and be the guy that hurt J New.

Jumpin Johnny was so awesome..so much fun to watch. My goodness, if they had the 3 point shot then, we'd be talking 2700+ points.

 

[Gallipoli]

'96 grad ... Thomas for 1st 2 years and apts for final 2 years. Grew up in SW GA but granddad grew up on a tobacco farm near Danville (Chatham), VA and went to UR/MCV in mid to late 1920s. 1-2 in seeing in UR NCAA tourney games ... CompSci/Math major and IT consulting for 30 year career. Left RVA after school for 20+ years but returned in 2017 - now ~7 minutes from campus and moving in July and will be 6.5 minutes from campus. Daughter and only kid transferring in as sophomore and starting her own UR journey in Aug.

Drop by Section 9 Row D next season or connect with me at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogersb...re_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Very interesting. My grandmother attended UR in the 1920s. She also grew up on a tobacco farm in the Chatham area. They also had honey bees. She was born in a small town called Callands and later moved to Rondo.

 

[spiderman]

Jumpin Johnny was so awesome..so much fun to watch. My goodness, if they had the 3 point shot then, we'd be talking 2700+ points.

beautiful form on that jumper ... which he adjusted later to reach with consistency from NBA range.

 

[Gallipoli]

1986, Poli Sci and Econ. My older sister dated Bill Dooley for a short period of time. He came to my parents house and he hit his head on an exposed cross-beam in the ceiling. There was a mark on his forehead. He was a nice guy.

 

[gcarter52]

1986, Poli Sci and Econ. My older sister dated Bill Dooley for a short period of time. He came to my parents house and he hit his head on an exposed cross-beam in the ceiling. There was a mark on his forehead. He was a nice guy.

I was a Poli Sci and Education major, awesome.

 

[urmite]

80's b-schooler. Bo and Lowride were the dogs I remember on campus.
Didn't go to many hoops games ... which is weird considering my current addiction.
Played in a pickup game with Johnny Newman at Milheiser. He drove and the seas parted. He was a legend, and everyone was afraid to end up under him and be the guy that hurt J New.

Now you reminded me of playing pickup games on the outdoor court after i graduated.
We weren’t afraid of hurting the 6’7” guys we played since both were 300 pounds.

But I remember the time my best friend should have been afraid of them and wasn’t.
The big guys were fighting over a rebound, and he had the great idea to set up to take a charge.
Not the best decision when you are 5’9” 135 pounds, there is no ref, and the player going for the layup forgot to take off his metal watch.

Ended up being enough blood from his eyebrow to end the game, but no stitches.
However may not have been his worse decision, he was also a VCU art major…

 

[Spider-Law]

Thanks to plydogg for starting this excellent thread.

Double Spider here. 2002 - RC / Jepson School graduate. Lived in Moore, Thomas, Freeman, and then the UFA (1604).

2005 - Law school grad.

As I have mentioned in other threads, I became hooked on Spider hoops my freshman year in the winter of 1998 and religiously watching and rooting for the Spiders has been a huge part of my life ever since. After law school (and seven splendid years in Central Va), I returned to NJ where I'm in private practice. I used to make the trek to AC for the A10 tournament and try and make one Spider away game every year.

I was never much of an athlete personally. But, thus far, my 3 kids show promise. My 13 yo daughter is a basketball addict and really came to that on her own. Plays AAU year-round.

One EDIT: I was a founding member of the DKE chapter on campus, which lasted about 20 years before sadly going by the wayside. When I was in law school some of the undergrads registered a DKE team in UR intramural basketball. As I recall, back then, there were "A" and "B" brackets. A being more serious athletes, B being more for fun. Because "every other" Fraternity played in the A bracket, whoever formed our team decided that's where we should play. Mind you, the chapter had maybe 20 guys total at this point, and they needed me (an alum law student) to have enough players for a basketball roster. I don't remember how many games I played, but I DO remember that one of the first games was against a team of UR football players. It was. Not. Pretty. One of the most insanely silly things I can remember doing. They were kind and didn't injure us.

 

[Spiders4ever]

WDCE 90.1

 

[MrTbone]

RC92, half-proud/half-sheepish Theta Chi, RCSGA, IFC VP, and three-year, non-prototypical starting point guard for Vanilla Thunder intramural bball team, 0.7ppg, 8.7apg, 11.9rpg, 6.3bpg (beers per game).

Marsh Hall Donkey enthusiast, knew virtually nothing about bball before attending UR, now season ticket holder for 20+ years. Recently de-employed technology sales and marketing guy. CV available upon request.

 

[Spiderwiz]

B School '77 and first lived in Dennis, then Moore for three years. From the northern Shenandoah Valley and stayed in Richmond after college. Basketball and football season ticket holder but I am rethinking one of the two (guess).