University of Richmond Athletics
From The AD's Desk - John Hardt
08/20/2021 | General, Spider Athletic Fund
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Greetings Spiders!
Among our group of new Spiders this semester is Kevin F. Hallock, who started his term as Richmond's 11th President on August 15. President Hallock has written eloquently about his plan to lead Richmond into the future with a focus on integrity, inclusion, collegiality, well-being, transparency, and hard work. I'm heartened that the values at the highest level of University leadership are so closely aligned with those of Spider Athletics, and I have no doubt that our Athletics program will thrive under President Hallock's leadership! This semester we will also begin our work to implement the new Spider Athletics Strategic Plan, which was unveiled in early August. The plan is a product of an 18-month development process that ensured all those with a stake in Spider Athletics – student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, fans, alumni, and others – have a say in its future. The result is a refreshed vision for Richmond Athletics: one that promotes excellence in the arena and the classroom, develops a new generation of leaders, and serves as an exemplar of integrity, ethics and responsible stewardship. The successful implementation of our Strategic Plan represents a sizeable set of challenges, but it also presents an opportunity to build a model Athletics program worthy of its association with one of this nation's finest universities. Following a year that came with enormous operational and financial challenges, we have redoubled our efforts to combat COVID-19 and keep our Spiders safe. We have spent the summer reviewing what worked and what didn't, revamping our game operations, and ensuring our staff and student-athletes are educated on the most effective ways to stay healthy during this pandemic. Medical experts tell us that vaccination is a critical tool in the fight against COVID-19, and I'm happy to report that more than 97% of our student-athletes have been vaccinated. Having such a high percentage of our Spiders vaccinated provides a solid foundation for our efforts to ensure that all student-athletes and staff are able to work, study, and compete safely this year. As much as I enjoyed the action-packed Spider sports calendar last spring, I must confess that I am looking forward to the start of our first traditional fall sports season since 2019. Practice and some competitions have already begun for our five fall sport programs who reported for preseason earlier this month to begin their pursuit of a conference championship. That group includes men's and women's cross country, field hockey, and women's soccer as well as Spider football. Our men's cross-country team enters the season as reigning A-10 champions, and the women's team is seeking its second conference title in the last four years. Spider field hockey is looking to build on its run to the A-10 semifinals last spring. Spider football will enter the season ranked 22nd in the nation in the FCS Coaches' Poll and returns every offensive and defensive starter from last spring, when Coach Huesman led the team to a successful 3-1 record. With over 85 percent of our existing season-ticket holders renewing their seats, I know our excitement for the return of fall Saturdays at Robins Stadium is widely shared among the Spider faithful. I hope to see all of you on September 4 when the Spiders kick-off their season at home against the visiting Bison of Howard University. The recent release of the non-conference schedules for our men's and women's basketball teams reminds us that the hardwood season is just around the corner. Our men's team has composed a championship-level non-conference schedule befitting a team that will return four 1,000-point scorers. With the program setting a record for new season-ticket deposits, I believe the Robins Center will be ready to rock come November. Our women's team is looking to build on last year's 13-9 record – the best winning percentage for the program since 2012 – and will take on an impressive array of mid-major powerhouses and in-state rivals during its non-conference season. Due to recent changes in NCAA regulations, all Spider student-athletes are now able to take advantage of the University's newly developed NIL Policy that permits them to be paid by third parties for the use of their name, image, and/or likeness (NIL). This dramatic new change empowers student-athletes with a wide range of rights and responsibilities. Richmond Athletics is gratified that our Spiders now have the opportunity to benefit financially from the profile that comes as a result of their successes in intercollegiate competition, in the classroom, and across our community. In this regard, we are committed to fostering an environment where Spiders can fully realize their NIL value and providing educational opportunities regarding personal branding and other issues which they can utilize while at Richmond and after graduation in their personal and professional endeavors. Frankly, I can't imagine a university where student-athletes are more deserving of ALL types of rewards and recognition than here at Richmond. Our Spiders compete at the highest level of college athletics while successfully navigating a rigorous academic program and developing into tomorrow's leaders. For the last three years, they have inspired me. They have challenged me. They have energized me; and, most of all, they have made me proud to be leading the athletics program at this great University and supporting their wonderful accomplishments. Take care, stay well, and…. Go Spiders! Sincerely,  |
| John P. Hardt Vice President & Director of Athletics |
