Bill Jordan Services to be Held Saturday in Brightwood, Va.
07/08/2024 | Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Richmond, Va. – Funeral services for William "Bill" Jordan, longtime coach and Hall of Famer of Spider track & field and cross country programs (1966-2004), will be held Saturday in Brightwood, Va. Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life at a graveside service to be held at the Robinson River Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery at 11:00 AM. Per Bill's request, attire is "come as you are" casual. Light lunch reception will take place afterwards at his beloved family farmhouse, located nearby. In lieu of flowers Bill requested donations be made to the Madison County Volunteer Fire Company at 1223 N Main St, Madison, VA 22727.
Credited with being a main force behind the success of the track & field and cross country programs, Bill Jordan's career as a student-athlete, coach and administrator spanned nearly 40 years at the University of Richmond. As a student-athlete from 1948-53, he won awards in both cross-country and track, setting the UR cross-country course record, and earning a state championship in the Two Mile and Cross Country events. He was part of a group affectionately known as "Lumpkin's Lopers" - the 1949 cross-country team coached by William Lumpkin that is the only unbeaten cross-country squad in school history.
After a ten-year stint as head track coach at Wake Forest (1956-66), he returned to his alma mater, working for 19 years directly with his lifetime friend and Hall of Fame coach Fred Hardy. Under their guidance, the Richmond program grew to one of the premier programs in the NCAA. During their tenure, 10 National Champions were crowned, 65 All-Americans were honored, and they coached three Olympians. In 1976, Jordan '53 established the University of Richmond Women's Track & Field program as a varsity sport. Jordan was inducted into the Richmond Hall of Fame in 2008 for not only his success as a student athlete, but for his lasting impact as an incredible coach, professor, mentor and leader.
"The University of Richmond lost a remarkable member of our community on June 29th. Bill Jordan was a celebrated Spider athlete, a longtime track & field and cross country coach, and a dedicated professor on our campus for several decades. He was one of the kindest and most thoughtful individuals I have ever met. Bill's passion for the Spider community and his vast knowledge of our track & field history greatly impacted Lori and me when we arrived over 23 years ago. He was the first to welcome us to Richmond, and his unwavering support for the track & field and cross country programs will be profoundly missed" Steve Taylor, head men's cross country coach.
You can find Jordan's obituary here.
Credited with being a main force behind the success of the track & field and cross country programs, Bill Jordan's career as a student-athlete, coach and administrator spanned nearly 40 years at the University of Richmond. As a student-athlete from 1948-53, he won awards in both cross-country and track, setting the UR cross-country course record, and earning a state championship in the Two Mile and Cross Country events. He was part of a group affectionately known as "Lumpkin's Lopers" - the 1949 cross-country team coached by William Lumpkin that is the only unbeaten cross-country squad in school history.
After a ten-year stint as head track coach at Wake Forest (1956-66), he returned to his alma mater, working for 19 years directly with his lifetime friend and Hall of Fame coach Fred Hardy. Under their guidance, the Richmond program grew to one of the premier programs in the NCAA. During their tenure, 10 National Champions were crowned, 65 All-Americans were honored, and they coached three Olympians. In 1976, Jordan '53 established the University of Richmond Women's Track & Field program as a varsity sport. Jordan was inducted into the Richmond Hall of Fame in 2008 for not only his success as a student athlete, but for his lasting impact as an incredible coach, professor, mentor and leader.
"The University of Richmond lost a remarkable member of our community on June 29th. Bill Jordan was a celebrated Spider athlete, a longtime track & field and cross country coach, and a dedicated professor on our campus for several decades. He was one of the kindest and most thoughtful individuals I have ever met. Bill's passion for the Spider community and his vast knowledge of our track & field history greatly impacted Lori and me when we arrived over 23 years ago. He was the first to welcome us to Richmond, and his unwavering support for the track & field and cross country programs will be profoundly missed" Steve Taylor, head men's cross country coach.
You can find Jordan's obituary here.
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