Spider Athletic Fund Spotlight - Elaine & Trib Sutton
10/20/2021
What inspires you to give to the Spider Athletic Fund?
The incredible student-athletes we have at Richmond. They are committed to both the athletic fields and the classroom, and it amazes us how well they manage all they have going on. Anytime you have a chance to chat with one of our student-athletes you come away impressed.
What is your favorite Spider Athletics moment?
2008 Football National Championship! I was lucky to ride down with eight alumni, mostly Spider football alumni. We rented a big white van and my wife Elaine helped us decorate with Spiders symbols. When we arrived in Chattanooga the tailgate parking lot was full of Richmond fans. We had so much fun catching up with former players, coaches and fans. Then we won! Totally amazing trip.
If you could have dinner with one Spider student-athlete or coach from the past or present who would it be and why?
Very hard to pick just one here…so many of our coaches and student-athletes have been inspiring and fantastic to watch. However, Dick Tarrant was instrumental in putting the school on the national stage with his great teams and upset wins in the NCAA tournament. It would be fun to hear him reminisce about his time at UR.
What excites you the most about the future of Spider Athletics?
The future is very bright for student-athletes at Richmond. When a student-athlete arrives on campus they are now encountering great facilities, along with a commitment to continue to upgrade them, and the academic environment is off the charts. As alumni, we are proud to be associated with the university and their programs. Coming onto campus for sporting events, it is hard not to get energized by the atmosphere and quality of play.
If you could give a current student-athlete one piece of advice, what would it be?
Go to class! See your professors outside of the classroom. Take time and get to know all of the things UR offers outside of your specific sport. By doing so you will build relationships that will really pay off in the long run.
If you were speaking to other alumni or fans, why would you encourage them to also support the Spider Athletic Fund?
We have been involved for over 35 years now with supporting the school and in particular the Spider Athletic Fund. We have enjoyed meeting student-athletes, their families and the coaches and staff over the years. We know how our help really does make a difference in helping the university deliver first class support to our student-athletes. We would also invite them to our famous “42 and the Tree” tailgate before a home football game and we could rope them in for support!
