University of Richmond Athletics
New On-Campus Stadium To Be Named E. Claiborne Robins Stadium
09/16/2009 | Football
Sept. 16, 2009
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. -
The University of Richmond's new on-campus stadium will have a new name, honoring the legacy of E. Claiborne Robins, Sr. and his historic philanthropy to the school.
At a black-tie event Wednesday night celebrating the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking gift given by E. Claiborne Robins, Sr. to the University of Richmond, E. Claiborne Robins Jr. announced that the University's new on-campus stadium will be named E. Claiborne Robins Stadium, in honor of the decades of generous support that the Robins Family and the Robins Foundation have provided to the University, including athletics and the new stadium project.
"My father was passionate about the University of Richmond from the time he was a student on scholarship, said Robins, Jr. "His vision was to have the University of Richmond become one of the best small private universities of its kind in the nation, and that included a strong intercollegiate athletic program. He was an avid Spiders fan and enthusiastically followed the University's football program. He would have been a huge supporter for bringing Spider football back home, so it is a fitting tribute and very meaningful to our family to have the University of Richmond stadium bear his name."
Speaking at the event, University of Richmond President Edward L. Ayers acknowledged the Robins family's support and its impact throughout the campus. "The full meaning of the Robins family's gift continues to unfold," said Dr. Ayers. "The foundation put in place by this family's remarkable generosity has inspired possibilities unimagined forty years ago. Tonight we recognize Mr. Robins' exceptional leadership and generosity, and that of his family."
Since 2001, the current on-campus facility has been known as First Market Stadium, in recognition of a gift from Bobby Ukrop, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ukrop's Supermarkets, Richmond alumnus and emeritus member of the University's Board of Trustees. Ukrop also acknowledged his support for the stadium name.
"Mr. Robins had a magnificent vision for the university and for Spider football, and I believe E. Claiborne Robins Stadium will be a reflection of his ideals," said Ukrop, whose family is part-owner of First Market Bank. "I, too, look forward to continuing our support of the university and the Spider athletic program."
Robins, Sr., Robins, Jr. and Ukrop have all been inducted into the University of Richmond's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Robins Stadium, as the facility will now be known, is under construction to enlarge it into a multi-sports venue and bring Richmond Spiders football to campus for the first time since 1929. It is scheduled to open in September 2010. The first football game is slated for September 18, 2010. Robins Stadium will also be home to soccer, lacrosse, and track and field.