University of Richmond Athletics
SP4 Hosts Annual Etiquette and Networking Dinner
11/04/2025 | Spider Performance
RICHMOND, Va. – Spider Performance, along with the University of Richmond's Career Services, recently hosted Richmond Athletics' annual Etiquette and Networking Dinner for junior student-athletes at the Country Club of Virginia, sponsored by The CoStar Group.
Tiara Hicks, Assistant Director at UR's Career Services and R.D. Montgomery, Associate Director of Student-Athlete Success, presented tips and guidance on dining etiquette while on an interview as well as when attending networking events.
"We use this event to have conversations with our student-athletes about how to conduct themselves in professional environments and to answer basic interview questions with people that they already have a warm connect so they can practice without the anxiety of speaking with a stranger," Montgomery said. "We also use this event to connect student-athletes with alumni that work in industries they are interested in learning about because our alumni network is one of our greatest resources that they should be comfortable taking advantage of."
"At CoStar Group, we believe events like the Junior Etiquette Dinner are essential because they prepare student-athletes for life beyond sports," said Anna Reed, Director of Campus Programming at CoStar Group. "Developing confidence in professional settings helps them build the skills and presence needed to succeed in their careers and represent themselves with excellence."
Prior to the dinner, student-athletes were paired with Richmond alumni, community members, and senior staff members for an informal mock interview. They also discussed ways to express how their experiences as student-athletes strongly prepare them for their career.
"I'm so grateful that Richmond cares so much about setting athletes up for success after we leave school," said Haven Buechner, a women's lacrosse student-athlete. "Learning some of the unspoken rules of networking etiquette was very useful."
Eric Scully, a member of the men's cross country team, shared his takeaway from chatting with David Porter, Vice President of Research at CoStar Group. "He shared that by doing your job to the best of your ability, you naturally open doors for career growth. You shouldn't be
Tiara Hicks, Assistant Director at UR's Career Services and R.D. Montgomery, Associate Director of Student-Athlete Success, presented tips and guidance on dining etiquette while on an interview as well as when attending networking events.
"We use this event to have conversations with our student-athletes about how to conduct themselves in professional environments and to answer basic interview questions with people that they already have a warm connect so they can practice without the anxiety of speaking with a stranger," Montgomery said. "We also use this event to connect student-athletes with alumni that work in industries they are interested in learning about because our alumni network is one of our greatest resources that they should be comfortable taking advantage of."
"At CoStar Group, we believe events like the Junior Etiquette Dinner are essential because they prepare student-athletes for life beyond sports," said Anna Reed, Director of Campus Programming at CoStar Group. "Developing confidence in professional settings helps them build the skills and presence needed to succeed in their careers and represent themselves with excellence."
Prior to the dinner, student-athletes were paired with Richmond alumni, community members, and senior staff members for an informal mock interview. They also discussed ways to express how their experiences as student-athletes strongly prepare them for their career.
"I'm so grateful that Richmond cares so much about setting athletes up for success after we leave school," said Haven Buechner, a women's lacrosse student-athlete. "Learning some of the unspoken rules of networking etiquette was very useful."
Eric Scully, a member of the men's cross country team, shared his takeaway from chatting with David Porter, Vice President of Research at CoStar Group. "He shared that by doing your job to the best of your ability, you naturally open doors for career growth. You shouldn't be
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