University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Athletics Launches Holistic Richmond Spider Development Program
09/22/2020 | Spider Athletic Fund, Spider Leadership
A new and innovative University of Richmond Department of Athletics program aims to create the right environment and educational platforms to help student-athletes reach peak performance in athletics, in academics and in life.
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond Athletics Department has announced the creation of the Richmond Spider Development (RSD) program. The RSD will utilize a values-based and holistic approach to integrate strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition, sports psychology, data analytics, sports science, leadership development, and several other University resources.
The RSD, which launched this fall and will be headquartered in the newly renovated Milhiser Gymnasium, will serve as a hub to maximize every aspect of the Spider student-athlete experience at the University of Richmond. Lauren Wicklund has transitioned into the newly expanded role of Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Leadership & Student-Athlete Development and will oversee this important new initiative.
"The Richmond Spider Development program is preparing our student-athletes to embody our core values and serves the department's mission of educating through athletics and the crucible of championship level competition," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt. "The RSD will allow our student-athletes to effectively access the resources of the University of Richmond and Spider athletics to maximize their potential. The program will be uniquely Richmond and organic to Spider Athletics."
Over the past two years, Wicklund and the Richmond high-performance team have been working to improve all functional areas that directly impact student-athlete performance. The RSD will fully integrate all these areas and allow all 17 Spider varsity sports programs to maximize these important resources. RSD reflects the University's broad-based commitment to developing the whole person and providing dedicated resources to support physical, psychological, and emotional health and well-being of students, faculty and staff. RSD will create the environment and education platforms to allow Spider student-athletes to optimize performance in all aspects of their lives.
"One of our foremost priorities in developing this program is getting everybody who directly impacts the student-athlete experience communicating at the same table to position every student-athlete to succeed," Wicklund said. "It's an incredibly powerful and effective approach at developing our student-athletes. My job is to partner with our coaches, our training staff, our medical professionals, and, most importantly, our students, to help them reach new heights. I look forward to taking advantage of all that the university has to offer to accomplish our goals."
"The most important feature of the program is the intentional integration of these components at all levels," said Hardt. "We believe that values shape behavior, behavior defines culture, and culture drives performance. In this regard, RSD reflects the department's core principles."
In addition to Wicklund's expanded responsibilities and new title, Scott Brincks was elevated to Assistant Director of Athletics for Strength and Conditioning. Brincks has served previously in the role of Director of Strength and Conditioning at Richmond since 2016.
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RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond Athletics Department has announced the creation of the Richmond Spider Development (RSD) program. The RSD will utilize a values-based and holistic approach to integrate strength and conditioning, sports medicine, sports nutrition, sports psychology, data analytics, sports science, leadership development, and several other University resources.
The RSD, which launched this fall and will be headquartered in the newly renovated Milhiser Gymnasium, will serve as a hub to maximize every aspect of the Spider student-athlete experience at the University of Richmond. Lauren Wicklund has transitioned into the newly expanded role of Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Leadership & Student-Athlete Development and will oversee this important new initiative.
"The Richmond Spider Development program is preparing our student-athletes to embody our core values and serves the department's mission of educating through athletics and the crucible of championship level competition," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt. "The RSD will allow our student-athletes to effectively access the resources of the University of Richmond and Spider athletics to maximize their potential. The program will be uniquely Richmond and organic to Spider Athletics."
Over the past two years, Wicklund and the Richmond high-performance team have been working to improve all functional areas that directly impact student-athlete performance. The RSD will fully integrate all these areas and allow all 17 Spider varsity sports programs to maximize these important resources. RSD reflects the University's broad-based commitment to developing the whole person and providing dedicated resources to support physical, psychological, and emotional health and well-being of students, faculty and staff. RSD will create the environment and education platforms to allow Spider student-athletes to optimize performance in all aspects of their lives.
"One of our foremost priorities in developing this program is getting everybody who directly impacts the student-athlete experience communicating at the same table to position every student-athlete to succeed," Wicklund said. "It's an incredibly powerful and effective approach at developing our student-athletes. My job is to partner with our coaches, our training staff, our medical professionals, and, most importantly, our students, to help them reach new heights. I look forward to taking advantage of all that the university has to offer to accomplish our goals."
"The most important feature of the program is the intentional integration of these components at all levels," said Hardt. "We believe that values shape behavior, behavior defines culture, and culture drives performance. In this regard, RSD reflects the department's core principles."
In addition to Wicklund's expanded responsibilities and new title, Scott Brincks was elevated to Assistant Director of Athletics for Strength and Conditioning. Brincks has served previously in the role of Director of Strength and Conditioning at Richmond since 2016.
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