Spider Athletic Fund Donor Spotlight: Eric Beatty
10/19/2022
What inspires you to give to Spider Athletic Fund?
The University of Richmond continues to provide me with so many opportunities, lifetime memories, and friendships. Giving back to the University regularly is one way for me to support the next generation of Spiders.
If you could have dinner with one Spider student-athlete or coach from the past or present, who would it be and why?
We lost a teammate as a result of an accident in 1999. Donnie Lindsay was full of enthusiasm and courage during his brief time as a Spider. He was an inspiration to everyone on the team. I would love to have dinner with him to catch up and let him know the impact his legacy has had on my life.
What excites you the most about the future of Spider athletics?
The growth athletics has had since I was on the field is incredible. New fields, buildings, administrative support positions, and technology have really improved the University’s opportunity for success. It is so exciting to see all these things come together.
If you could give a current student-athlete a piece of advice, what would it be?
Find your passion and pursue it. Do something with your life that excites you and makes you happy.
If you were speaking to other alumni or fans, why would you encourage them to support the Spider Athletic Fund?
Speaking to fellow alumni, I would remind them of the opportunities UR provided us when we were students and ask them to examine how those opportunities have assisted them in their professional and personal lives. I was at UR because of generous donors. I have the job I have today because of relationships I built as a student. As they examine what their time at UR has given to their life, I would ask them to support opportunities for future Spiders.
As you graduated from Richmond what made you want to come back and work here as an officer?
UR has given so much to me. I came back to be a police officer so I could give back. I enjoy providing the current students at UR an environment to learn that is as safe as we can possibly make it. There are so many wonderful memories I have related to UR as a staff member and athlete. I have always taken special pride in the success of the football program. Watching UR win Conference titles and a National Championship has been so exciting. When I first came to campus as a student athlete, there was talk of moving the stadium to campus. It never happened while I was playing, but it was really exciting to be a part of the game-day operations for the first opening game.
Being a member of the football team what are some of your favorite memories when you were a student-athlete?
The thing I cherish the most thinking back on my time as a student-athlete is the camaraderie. I had about 90 of the best friends anyone could ask for in life. We supported and looked out for each other. We were accountable to one another and that is really a lot of the reason we had success on the field. The bond we had—and still have to this day—was unexplainable. My 5th year, we were playing Villanova. I was the left guard, Dave Pustylnik was the center, and Kenny Farrar was the right guard. Villanova had a nose guard who was outstanding in the Conference. The teamwork between the three of us that game to ensure their nose guard had a long day was awesome! The sense of accomplishment walking off the field that day with a win and knowing we did not allow him to interrupt our offense was a great feeling. That was what was so special about playing with my teammates. We all knew what our job was and we did everything we could to take care of business.
A fun memory of an alum giving back to him and his teammates:
One of the crazier things I can remember being part of was in 1998 going over to Lee Davis High School with some teammates to talk to their football team before their season started. UR Hall of Famer Marc Megna ‘98 was driving his car and we had just merged onto 95 from 64. As we did, he turned the heat on in his car. It was already 90+ degrees outside and now he had the heat on! As we finished the next 20 minutes of the ride, we all tried to talk him into turning the heat off, but he insisted that we had to prepare our bodies for the summer heat and pre-season camp. By the time we arrived at Lee Davis, we were all covered in sweat and it looked like we had just finished practice. It is times like those I will never forget! For anyone who watched the documentary on Marc’s life, “Just a Kid from Fall River” (directed by Randy West UR ’01), you will know that his family—though full of love—did not have the financial wealth to support his education. I personally, would not have been able to attend UR without a scholarship. Many of my teammates would not have been able to attend UR without the support of so many donors. I am now in a position where I can give back and hopefully help out a high school student working hard to make an opportunity for themselves athletically. I just hope they are never stuck in a car on a summer day with the heat on.
Also, being a long-time staff member at the university what are some of your favorite memories that keep you coming back to work every day?
I see everyday as an opportunity to make someone’s life a little better. That is why I started with this career and fortunately after 20 years, that is still what motivates me. I look forward to times when I have the chance to help a student locate resources to deal with trauma, help a fellow employee with an issue, or respond to an emergency medical call. I am in this profession to help the people around me, and those instances where I have made a difference in someone’s day, month, or life are what keep me coming back.
How do you stay connected with former teammates and Spider football?
After I first graduated, it was easier. None of us were married, had kids, traveled for jobs and had other demands on our lives. So, we would catch up regularly. As time has gone on and those demands have increased, I now look forward to the special events specific to UR football and athletics to bring us back together. There is a memorial golf tournament for Chris Muntz, Homecoming, UR football golf tournament, and a few other events some past Spiders all look forward to attending together. There are a few teammates I see regularly around Richmond and it is always good to catch up.
