University of Richmond Athletics
Members of 2023 Hall of Fame Class Revealed
08/22/2023 | Cross Country, Football, General, Women's Basketball, Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's Basketball, Spider Athletic Fund
RICHMOND, Va. — Five former student-athletes, among them a trailblazer, hometown hero, record-setter, All-American and National Champion, comprise the 2023 University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame class, announced today by Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt.
The Class of 2023 consists of Mary Adams '05 (Swimming & Diving), Darien Brothers '13 (Men's Basketball), Weldon Edwards '73 (Football and Track & Field), Julie Jones Venick '92 (Women's Basketball) and Lawrence Sidbury '08 (Football).
The 46th Hall of Fame class will be inducted during a ceremony Friday night, October 27 at the Jepson Alumni Center on campus. The class will be introduced during the Spider Day Festival later that evening and again at the Homecoming football game Saturday October 28 at 3:30 PM against Campbell. The 15th anniversary of the 2008 National Championship football team, of which Sidbury was MVP in the title game, will also be honored throughout Homecoming weekend.
Ticket information for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reception is available by calling 804-287-1283. Tickets for the football game can be obtained online or by calling the Richmond Ticket Office at 1-877-SPIDER-1.
Mary Adams – Women's Swimming – 2001-2005
When the Richmond women's swimming and diving dynasty began, Mary Adams was there virtually every stroke of the way. She was an integral member of Atlantic 10 championship teams in all four of her seasons, kicking off the Spiders' unprecedented run of eight straight and 15 of 16 A-10 titles.
She began her Spider career by earning A-10 Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors, setting league records in the 200 IM and 400 IM. As a sophomore, she was tabbed the A-10 Most Outstanding Performer, setting three records and winning every event she entered at the A-10 Championships. Adams competed at the US Nationals as a sophomore.
Another First Team All A-10 accolade came Mary's way as a junior with three of her relay teams setting records at the A-10 Championships. Adams swam a record-setting 400 IM time of 4:17.92 and won the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.49, earning her a berth at the NCAA Championships, where she finished in the top 40 in the 200 IM and 400 IM.
Adams concluded her career by again being named A-10 Most Outstanding Performer as a senior when she won both the 200 IM and 400 IM for the fourth consecutive year.
Darien Brothers – Men's Basketball – 2009-2013
A home-grown, hometown favorite, Darien Brothers made himself right at home in a Richmond uniform and in the Spider Men's Basketball record book. From nearby Benedictine, Brothers made the short trip to campus where he became a long-range sharpshooter, three-year starter and leading scorer his junior (14.6 points per game) and senior seasons (14.1 points per game).
His career included three postseason appearances, highlighted by two NCAA tournaments, a Sweet 16 and a program record 29-win season his sophomore year. The Spiders were 90-48 overall, including 41-23 in the Atlantic 10 during his career. As a senior captain, Brothers earned Third Team All-A-10 honors, finishing his career with 1,274 points.
Much of his success came from behind the three-point arc and at the free throw line. His 205 career three-pointers are ninth on the Spiders all-time list, his 84 three-pointers as a senior are third most in a season and his 40.1% three-point field goal accuracy is fifth on the UR career list. He tied a team record with eight three pointers vs Charlotte as a senior and connected on seven three-pointers vs Old Dominion as a sophomore.
Almost automatic at the free throw line, Brothers was 15th in the nation at 89.1 percent as a junior, which is also a school record. His career 84.4% at the stripe is also the top mark in UR history.
Two memorable games on his home court capped his Spider career as a senior. He poured in 39 points in a victory over Charlotte, the most points by a Spider in 40 years. He then delivered one of the most memorable shots in Robins Center history, draining a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation against cross town rival and 16th ranked VCU, lifting the Spiders to a thrilling overtime win.
Weldon Edwards – Football and Track & Field – 1970-1973
Embracing a trailblazing role, Weldon Edwards was the first Black football player at the University of Richmond. Two major knee injuries limited his career, but his mark on the program was forever etched in stone.
Edwards was a member of the Spider Football program from 1970-73, playing for Hall of Fame coach Frank Jones. He played in 30 games, rushing for 321 yards while posting 436 yards of total offense. As a running back, he scored two touchdowns in the 1972 season opener against North Carolina. Edwards suffered a major knee injury against West Virginia the following week, prematurely ending his season. When he returned the Spiders moved him from running back to defensive back.
Despite the knee injuries, Weldon also ran track for Hall of Fame coach Fred Hardy. Edwards won the 1972 Southern Conference indoor 60-yard dash, earning a berth to the NCAA Division I nationals.
A local product who starred at Maggie Walker High School, Weldon remained a part of the Spider Football program after his graduation, serving as an assistant coach for three seasons.
In February 2022, Edwards was recognized by the Virginia General Assembly as a student-athlete who "forged many strong bonds with his fellow teammates and paved the way for other African-American athletes and students at the institution."
Julie Jones Venick – Women's Basketball – 1988-1992
Julie Jones Venick left an indelible mark as a Spider shooting star during one of the most successful eras in Richmond Women's Basketball history.
A four-year starter who played in 123 games, Jones Venick drained a school record 309 career three-pointers – 120 more than the next closest Spider. More than three decades later, she still holds the top three single-season marks for three-pointers made.
She began her career by being named to the All-Rookie Team and finished as a co-captain who earned All-Tournament team accolades, completing a career in which she scored 1,521 points, currently eighth on Richmond's all-time list. She averaged 12.7 points per game and reached double figures 87 times. At the conclusion of her senior season, she was one of eight players selected to compete in the first-ever national Women's 3-Point Shooting Contest.
At the time of her graduation in 1992, she held the following spots on the All-Time Division I Women's Record list: #2 for 3 pointers made, 309; #7 for 3 point percentage, 43.4%, and #8 for 3 pointers made per game, 2.51.
The Spiders were 94-29 during her four seasons, with three 20-win campaigns, two regular season first place and two second place finishes, two CAA tournament titles, two NCAA tournaments and one NIT appearance.
Julie was inducted into the Fayette County (Pa.) Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and was named the Richmond Spiders Atlantic 10 Legends honoree in 2016. The Legends program recognized men's and women's basketball student-athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on their respective basketball programs and institutions.
Lawrence Sidbury – Football – 2005-2008
All-American Lawrence Sidbury capped his Richmond career with the school's first National Championship, highlighted by his dominating four quarterback sacks and MVP award in a convincing 24-7 title game victory over Montana.
He earned first team All-CAA honors in his junior and senior seasons, as well as first team All-State following his junior year. In 2007, he started 13 games, with 8.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks. In 2008, he played in all 16 games and led the CAA with 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 quarterback sacks, the third most in a Richmond single season. He finished his career with 20.5 QB sacks, currently 5th on Richmond's all-time list.
Sidbury earned invites to the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of all defensive linemen. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft by Atlanta, playing for the Falcons from 2009-2012. He recorded his first career quarterback sack against Donavan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, and scored his first NFL touchdown with a forced fumble and 11-yard return against the Buffalo Bills.
The Class of 2023 consists of Mary Adams '05 (Swimming & Diving), Darien Brothers '13 (Men's Basketball), Weldon Edwards '73 (Football and Track & Field), Julie Jones Venick '92 (Women's Basketball) and Lawrence Sidbury '08 (Football).
The 46th Hall of Fame class will be inducted during a ceremony Friday night, October 27 at the Jepson Alumni Center on campus. The class will be introduced during the Spider Day Festival later that evening and again at the Homecoming football game Saturday October 28 at 3:30 PM against Campbell. The 15th anniversary of the 2008 National Championship football team, of which Sidbury was MVP in the title game, will also be honored throughout Homecoming weekend.
Ticket information for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Reception is available by calling 804-287-1283. Tickets for the football game can be obtained online or by calling the Richmond Ticket Office at 1-877-SPIDER-1.
Mary Adams – Women's Swimming – 2001-2005When the Richmond women's swimming and diving dynasty began, Mary Adams was there virtually every stroke of the way. She was an integral member of Atlantic 10 championship teams in all four of her seasons, kicking off the Spiders' unprecedented run of eight straight and 15 of 16 A-10 titles.
She began her Spider career by earning A-10 Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference honors, setting league records in the 200 IM and 400 IM. As a sophomore, she was tabbed the A-10 Most Outstanding Performer, setting three records and winning every event she entered at the A-10 Championships. Adams competed at the US Nationals as a sophomore.
Another First Team All A-10 accolade came Mary's way as a junior with three of her relay teams setting records at the A-10 Championships. Adams swam a record-setting 400 IM time of 4:17.92 and won the 200 IM with a time of 2:03.49, earning her a berth at the NCAA Championships, where she finished in the top 40 in the 200 IM and 400 IM.
Adams concluded her career by again being named A-10 Most Outstanding Performer as a senior when she won both the 200 IM and 400 IM for the fourth consecutive year.
Darien Brothers – Men's Basketball – 2009-2013A home-grown, hometown favorite, Darien Brothers made himself right at home in a Richmond uniform and in the Spider Men's Basketball record book. From nearby Benedictine, Brothers made the short trip to campus where he became a long-range sharpshooter, three-year starter and leading scorer his junior (14.6 points per game) and senior seasons (14.1 points per game).
His career included three postseason appearances, highlighted by two NCAA tournaments, a Sweet 16 and a program record 29-win season his sophomore year. The Spiders were 90-48 overall, including 41-23 in the Atlantic 10 during his career. As a senior captain, Brothers earned Third Team All-A-10 honors, finishing his career with 1,274 points.
Much of his success came from behind the three-point arc and at the free throw line. His 205 career three-pointers are ninth on the Spiders all-time list, his 84 three-pointers as a senior are third most in a season and his 40.1% three-point field goal accuracy is fifth on the UR career list. He tied a team record with eight three pointers vs Charlotte as a senior and connected on seven three-pointers vs Old Dominion as a sophomore.
Almost automatic at the free throw line, Brothers was 15th in the nation at 89.1 percent as a junior, which is also a school record. His career 84.4% at the stripe is also the top mark in UR history.
Two memorable games on his home court capped his Spider career as a senior. He poured in 39 points in a victory over Charlotte, the most points by a Spider in 40 years. He then delivered one of the most memorable shots in Robins Center history, draining a three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining in regulation against cross town rival and 16th ranked VCU, lifting the Spiders to a thrilling overtime win.
Weldon Edwards – Football and Track & Field – 1970-1973Embracing a trailblazing role, Weldon Edwards was the first Black football player at the University of Richmond. Two major knee injuries limited his career, but his mark on the program was forever etched in stone.
Edwards was a member of the Spider Football program from 1970-73, playing for Hall of Fame coach Frank Jones. He played in 30 games, rushing for 321 yards while posting 436 yards of total offense. As a running back, he scored two touchdowns in the 1972 season opener against North Carolina. Edwards suffered a major knee injury against West Virginia the following week, prematurely ending his season. When he returned the Spiders moved him from running back to defensive back.
Despite the knee injuries, Weldon also ran track for Hall of Fame coach Fred Hardy. Edwards won the 1972 Southern Conference indoor 60-yard dash, earning a berth to the NCAA Division I nationals.
A local product who starred at Maggie Walker High School, Weldon remained a part of the Spider Football program after his graduation, serving as an assistant coach for three seasons.
In February 2022, Edwards was recognized by the Virginia General Assembly as a student-athlete who "forged many strong bonds with his fellow teammates and paved the way for other African-American athletes and students at the institution."
Julie Jones Venick – Women's Basketball – 1988-1992Julie Jones Venick left an indelible mark as a Spider shooting star during one of the most successful eras in Richmond Women's Basketball history.
A four-year starter who played in 123 games, Jones Venick drained a school record 309 career three-pointers – 120 more than the next closest Spider. More than three decades later, she still holds the top three single-season marks for three-pointers made.
She began her career by being named to the All-Rookie Team and finished as a co-captain who earned All-Tournament team accolades, completing a career in which she scored 1,521 points, currently eighth on Richmond's all-time list. She averaged 12.7 points per game and reached double figures 87 times. At the conclusion of her senior season, she was one of eight players selected to compete in the first-ever national Women's 3-Point Shooting Contest.
At the time of her graduation in 1992, she held the following spots on the All-Time Division I Women's Record list: #2 for 3 pointers made, 309; #7 for 3 point percentage, 43.4%, and #8 for 3 pointers made per game, 2.51.
The Spiders were 94-29 during her four seasons, with three 20-win campaigns, two regular season first place and two second place finishes, two CAA tournament titles, two NCAA tournaments and one NIT appearance.
Julie was inducted into the Fayette County (Pa.) Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and was named the Richmond Spiders Atlantic 10 Legends honoree in 2016. The Legends program recognized men's and women's basketball student-athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on their respective basketball programs and institutions.
Lawrence Sidbury – Football – 2005-2008All-American Lawrence Sidbury capped his Richmond career with the school's first National Championship, highlighted by his dominating four quarterback sacks and MVP award in a convincing 24-7 title game victory over Montana.
He earned first team All-CAA honors in his junior and senior seasons, as well as first team All-State following his junior year. In 2007, he started 13 games, with 8.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks. In 2008, he played in all 16 games and led the CAA with 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 quarterback sacks, the third most in a Richmond single season. He finished his career with 20.5 QB sacks, currently 5th on Richmond's all-time list.
Sidbury earned invites to the East-West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of all defensive linemen. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft by Atlanta, playing for the Falcons from 2009-2012. He recorded his first career quarterback sack against Donavan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles, and scored his first NFL touchdown with a forced fumble and 11-yard return against the Buffalo Bills.
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