University of Richmond Athletics
Ask the AD!
07/06/2004 | General
July 6, 2004
Editor's Note: We have had tremendous response to our Ask The AD feature. The two most popular questions have been about conference affiliation and the proposed on-campus stadium. In this installment of Ask The AD, Jim addresses both topics.
Spider Fans:
Thanks to all of you who submitted questions about two important topics - conference affiliation and our on-campus stadium. I hope these comments provide insight for both subjects.
The Atlantic 10 is a great conference for our athletic teams. In just three years, we've won two Commissioner's Cup championships - symbolic of the league's best overall athletic program. One of our goals upon entering the A-10 was to give our student-athletes an opportunity to compete for conference titles on a regular basis. We are certainly doing that.
In the past three years, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, field hockey, swimming, and men and women's tennis have all either won multiple league titles or made multiple post season appearances. The A-10 is among the top nine conferences in the nation in men's basketball and will likely improve its ranking with the addition of Charlotte and St. Louis next year.
In football, we are committed at this time to Division I-AA competition. This is the right fit for our university of 3,000 undergraduates and 400 student-athletes. Our conference is arguably the toughest in I-AA football, and as you know, includes Delaware - the defending national champion. In addition, we have the opportunity to schedule state and regional rivals such as William & Mary, JMU, VMI, Villanova and Delaware, while also including a I-A opponent. Obviously, if a conference such as the BIG EAST became interested in us, we would listen - very carefully.
Plans for the new on-campus facility should enhance our commitment to our current level of college football. We believe the quality experience of attending a game on our beautiful campus, with a full house in a first-class facility, far outweighs the alternative at this time. As I have said many times on this issue, our desire is to play football on-campus, and any on-campus facility would need to be the right fit - in size, style, structure and philosophy - of the University of Richmond.
I truly believe that when you see the plans - and better yet the finished product - you'll be excited about being on campus for a tremendous Saturday afternoon football experience.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the games!
