University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond Football Jersey Makes Its Way To Iraq
Sept. 4, 2009
MOSUL, Iraq - A throwback No. 38 Richmond Spiders football jersey has made its way overseas and now hangs in the Battalion Headquarters of the 3-8CAV (1st Calvary Division) in Mosul, Iraq. The 3-8CAV is collecting No. 38 jerseys from pro and college football teams across the country.
The jersey is from the mid-1990's and bears the Yankee Conference logo and an "ECR" patch, which was worn in memory of the passing of E. Claiborne Robins, Sr., a staunch UR supporter who's $10 million gift enabled the building of the Robins Center.
Head Coach Mike London received the request from the Battalion's chaplain, CH (CPT) William C. Alley, a former Richmond resident and fan of the Spiders, who is organizing 3-8CAV's search for No. 38 jerseys from around the country.
Alley sent Coach London a photo after receiving the jersey this week. In the photo is CSM Mark Caffey (the highest ranking enlisted soldier in the battalion) and Alley holding the jersey in front of the Warhorse Memorial in the Battalion Headquarters. The six photos on the memorial are six Battalion members who have gave the ultimate sacrifice during their deployment. Alley noted that CSM Caffey spent some time at the University of Montana working in the Army ROTC department.
Below is a copy of Alley's initial email to Coach London in August:
Coach London,
I am an Army battalion chaplain deployed to Mosul, Iraq with the 3-8CAV (1st Cavalry Division), and want to wish you and your squad the best of luck on your quest to defend your championship from last year. As a native West Ender of Richmond (DSF '97 / VMI '01), I was thrilled to watch you guys beat Montana last December. My battalion commander was a Montana alum and huge Griz fan, which made your victory that much sweeter. Unfortunately, he was killed by a suicide VBIED shortly afterwards and is greatly missed by the whole battalion.
The reason I write you today is that our new battalion commander would like to line the battalion conference room with #38 football jerseys from college and pro teams as we approach the football season. The number 38 is significant since we are the 3-8 CAV. As the monitor of the morale and spirit of our 1100+ soldier battalion, I can tell you that this simple gesture from colleges across the country will be a huge boost in morale for our men and women. Being the main effort battalion in all of Iraq, it has been a difficult and stressful deployment. We are looking forward to the football season as a temporary distraction from our endless mission. I would love to have the Spiders represented on our wall with a home blue #38 UofR jersey. If you are able to help us out, please let me know.
Thank you very much and good luck in the upcoming campaign!
Blessings,
Will
CH (CPT) WILLIAM C. ALLEY
Battalion Chaplain
3-8CAV, "Warhorse"
1st Cavalry Division