University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Congratulate Westhampton On 100 Years
09/11/2014 | General
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond athletics department congratulates Westhampton College on its 100th-year anniversary. The University will be kicking off the year long celebration Saturday, Sept. 13 when it hosts Proclamation Day on the Westhampton Green.
“It is a privilege to work at an institution that has a longstanding history of nurturing academic curiosity and promoting athletic excellence for women," said Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator LaRee Sugg. "Current and generations of former student-athletes are fortunate to be a part of the fabric of strong women that comprise Westhampton College and to have benefited from a holistic education that prepares young women for life.”
“One-hundred years ago, a time when many Americans questioned whether girls should even go to college, Westhampton College's founding dean, Dr. May Keller, understood that the best way to prove naysayers wrong was through women's academic accomplishment,” commented Dean of Westhampton College Juliette Landphair.
Landphair continued, “She believed strongly that women could not perform at their top capacity intellectually without being physically fit. Dr. Keller also understood the tremendous value of teamwork. Competition and camaraderie went hand in hand. Understanding the deep value of athletics, Dr. Keller insisted that one of her first faculty members would be the athletics director. She hired the iconic Fannie Crenshaw, who served as Athletic Director from 1914-1955 and who brought field hockey to the state of Virginia (and after whom our field hockey field is named).
“Women's athletics has existed and thrived at the University of Richmond from the 1914 founding of Westhampton, decades before Title IX. We are very proud of today's varsity student-athletes, who represent Westhampton's proud legacies of academic excellence and athletic skill,” added Landphair.
Proclamation Day will integrate the college's annual student Proclamation Night ritual into a daytime celebration of Westhampton's Centennial. Current Westhampton students will join alumnae and their classmates on Westhampton Green for lunch and a program recognizing and celebrating the Centennial.
A women's lacrosse captain's scrimmage will kickoff the day at 10 a.m. on Crenshaw Field, followed by the Proclamation Ceremony Viewing at 11 a.m. The luncheon will begin at noon. Westhampton College alumnae will be recognized at the Spiders' home football game at Robins Stadium.
.Below is the full schedule of events for the day.
10 a.m. - Women's Lacrosse Captain's Scrimmage
Crenshaw Field
11 a.m. - Proclamation Ceremony Viewing
Tent on Westhampton Green
View the ceremony via simulcast.
Noon - Westhampton College Alumnae Luncheon
Tent on Westhampton Green
1:30 p.m. - Photo Exhibit of 100 Years of History
Booth Lobby, Modlin Center for the Arts
3 p.m. - Unveiling of North Court Plaque
North Court Arch
National Register of Historic Places
A tea reception will follow in the North Court Blue Room and Courtyard.
6 p.m. - Football Game: Richmond vs. Hampton
Robins Stadium
Westhampton College alumnae to be recognized. Please visit richmondspiders.com or call 1-877-SPIDER-1 to purchase tickets.
In 1914, Westhampton College opened its doors as Richmond College's coordinate college for women. For 100 years and counting, Westhampton College has maintained its core focus on developing women as scholars and leaders. Throughout 2014, Richmond will mark the centennial by celebrating the remarkable contributions of the deans, faculty, staff, students, and graduates who built Westhampton College.
The University looks forward to celebrating Westhampton's legacy and future promise with you in the coming year.
