University of Richmond Athletics
Details Announced For Visitation, Celebration of Life For Richmond Athletics Hall of Famer Greg Beckwith
05/26/2024 | Men's Basketball
RICHMOND, Va. — Greg Beckwith, who served as Spider Basketball's radio and television analyst for more than 20 years following his Hall-of-Fame career as a guard for Richmond, died Friday at 60. He is survived by his wife Julie and his children Brittany and BJ.
The family announced a celebration of life is scheduled for 1pm Monday June 3, 2024 at Cannon Memorial Chapel on the University of Richmond campus. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Robins Center. Visitation is Sunday June 2, 2024 from 2-6pm at Bliley's Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Va.
Beckwith arrived at Richmond in 1982 as a 5-10 freshman point guard from Uniontown, Pa. and has been among the most beloved members of Spider Nation ever since. For his record-setting accomplishments as a player and his service to the program as an alumnus, he was inducted into the Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
"Spiders everywhere are shocked and saddened by this terrible news," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hardt. "First as a player, then as a coach, and finally as a broadcaster, Greg has been a vital part of Richmond Athletics for more than 40 years. He brought a positive spirit to the Robins Center and everywhere he traveled on behalf of Spider Basketball. We will miss his smile, his laugh, and his love for his school more than words can describe."
Beckwith was the starting point guard for the 1983-84 Spiders, leading the team to the ECAC South conference championship and the program's first berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Spiders defeated Rider in the opening round before stunning No. 5 seed Auburn and Charles Barkley in the first round, a game that marked the start of Richmond's reputation as "Giant Killers" in the NCAA Tournament. This February, Beckwith and the rest of the team were recognized at halftime of Richmond's game vs Davidson, a contest in which Beckwith provided color commentary alongside Spiders play-by-play announcer Bob Black, his on-air partner for the past 21 seasons.
"I'm so fortunate to have known Beck for 40 years," said Black. "We've had so many great small point guards over my years, and Greg was the original who set the standard. But it's the years since that I'll forever cherish. As my broadcast partner for more than 20 years, Beck was great on the air and even better off the air. His positive, smiling personality, which touched so many people, was an inspiration to me, and we became so close that I think of him not just as a colleague and friend, but as a brother. My heart aches for Greg's family and for our Spider family. We have lost a true Spider through and through."
Beckwith also led Richmond to the 1986 NCAA Tournament as a senior, earning All-State and All-CAA honors. He left Richmond as the program's career leader in assists and steals and held both marks for more than 30 years (he now ranks second behind Jacob Gilyard in both categories). Beckwith still holds UR records for most assists in a season (200 in 1985-86) and most assists in a game (16 vs Navy on Feb. 25, 1986). During his playing career, Beckwith was named the program's Most Improved Player twice, and also won the Kevin Eastman Award, given to a Spider who exemplifies the qualities of team leadership, dedication, and outstanding play.
"Our collective heart is broken," said Spider Basketball head coach Chris Mooney. "Beck represented everything we want our players to be. He was positive, energetic, supportive, and kind. He was the best of us. He was a true friend and we will miss him so much. Our deepest condolences to Julie, Brittany, and BJ."
Following his playing career, Beckwith, who earned a Bachelor's degree in economics and a Master's degree in Sports Management at UR, pursued coaching, serving as a graduate assistant at both Richmond and Virginia Tech. Following coaching, he began a long career in athletic apparel, starting with AJD Cap Company. In 1998, he joined adidas, beginning a 23-year relationship that would see him ascend to Sales Manager of the Eastern Region. Following his retirement from adidas, Beckwith joined S&S Activewear as an Account Executive in 2022.
As a Richmond resident who remained close to the Spider Basketball program, Beckwith filled in as the team's color commentator on occasion before taking over the role full-time prior to the 2003-04 season. He and Black have been on the call for nearly every major Spider moment since, including the team's run to the Sweet 16 in 2011, its conference tournament championship in 2022, and its A-10 regular season title, the first in program history, this past year.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1pm Monday June 3, 2024 at Cannon Memorial Chapel on the University of Richmond campus. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Robins Center. Visitation is Sunday June 2, 2024 from 2-6pm at Bliley's Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Va.
The family announced a celebration of life is scheduled for 1pm Monday June 3, 2024 at Cannon Memorial Chapel on the University of Richmond campus. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Robins Center. Visitation is Sunday June 2, 2024 from 2-6pm at Bliley's Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Va.
Beckwith arrived at Richmond in 1982 as a 5-10 freshman point guard from Uniontown, Pa. and has been among the most beloved members of Spider Nation ever since. For his record-setting accomplishments as a player and his service to the program as an alumnus, he was inducted into the Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
"Spiders everywhere are shocked and saddened by this terrible news," said Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hardt. "First as a player, then as a coach, and finally as a broadcaster, Greg has been a vital part of Richmond Athletics for more than 40 years. He brought a positive spirit to the Robins Center and everywhere he traveled on behalf of Spider Basketball. We will miss his smile, his laugh, and his love for his school more than words can describe."
Beckwith was the starting point guard for the 1983-84 Spiders, leading the team to the ECAC South conference championship and the program's first berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Spiders defeated Rider in the opening round before stunning No. 5 seed Auburn and Charles Barkley in the first round, a game that marked the start of Richmond's reputation as "Giant Killers" in the NCAA Tournament. This February, Beckwith and the rest of the team were recognized at halftime of Richmond's game vs Davidson, a contest in which Beckwith provided color commentary alongside Spiders play-by-play announcer Bob Black, his on-air partner for the past 21 seasons.
"I'm so fortunate to have known Beck for 40 years," said Black. "We've had so many great small point guards over my years, and Greg was the original who set the standard. But it's the years since that I'll forever cherish. As my broadcast partner for more than 20 years, Beck was great on the air and even better off the air. His positive, smiling personality, which touched so many people, was an inspiration to me, and we became so close that I think of him not just as a colleague and friend, but as a brother. My heart aches for Greg's family and for our Spider family. We have lost a true Spider through and through."
Beckwith also led Richmond to the 1986 NCAA Tournament as a senior, earning All-State and All-CAA honors. He left Richmond as the program's career leader in assists and steals and held both marks for more than 30 years (he now ranks second behind Jacob Gilyard in both categories). Beckwith still holds UR records for most assists in a season (200 in 1985-86) and most assists in a game (16 vs Navy on Feb. 25, 1986). During his playing career, Beckwith was named the program's Most Improved Player twice, and also won the Kevin Eastman Award, given to a Spider who exemplifies the qualities of team leadership, dedication, and outstanding play.
"Our collective heart is broken," said Spider Basketball head coach Chris Mooney. "Beck represented everything we want our players to be. He was positive, energetic, supportive, and kind. He was the best of us. He was a true friend and we will miss him so much. Our deepest condolences to Julie, Brittany, and BJ."
Following his playing career, Beckwith, who earned a Bachelor's degree in economics and a Master's degree in Sports Management at UR, pursued coaching, serving as a graduate assistant at both Richmond and Virginia Tech. Following coaching, he began a long career in athletic apparel, starting with AJD Cap Company. In 1998, he joined adidas, beginning a 23-year relationship that would see him ascend to Sales Manager of the Eastern Region. Following his retirement from adidas, Beckwith joined S&S Activewear as an Account Executive in 2022.
As a Richmond resident who remained close to the Spider Basketball program, Beckwith filled in as the team's color commentator on occasion before taking over the role full-time prior to the 2003-04 season. He and Black have been on the call for nearly every major Spider moment since, including the team's run to the Sweet 16 in 2011, its conference tournament championship in 2022, and its A-10 regular season title, the first in program history, this past year.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 1pm Monday June 3, 2024 at Cannon Memorial Chapel on the University of Richmond campus. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Robins Center. Visitation is Sunday June 2, 2024 from 2-6pm at Bliley's Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Va.
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