Sideline With the Spiders Connects Faculty With Student-Athletes
02/07/2023 | Men's Basketball, Academic Services, Spider Leadership, Spider Performance
RICHMOND, Va. — A student gently suggesting his essay deserved a slightly higher grade. A faculty member recounting the highlights of that day's classroom discussion. Questions about what might be on the upcoming midterm. Small talk. Polite laughter. All the things one might see if they dropped in on a popular professor's office hours. But instead, it all happened right at midcourt in the Robins Center, as tired, sweaty basketball players greeted a group of a dozen faculty members moments after a pregame workout and hours before the team would play before a crowd of thousands of screaming Spider fans.
This typical collegiate scenario occurred in a most atypical location due to Richmond Athletics' Sideline With the Spiders program, now in its fifth year. The program aims to create meaningful interactions between faculty and student-athletes outside a classroom setting and develop deeper relationships among two of the University's most important constituencies.
Student-athletes are asked to invite a favorite professor to a game as a way to thank them for their support while also giving them a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what game day is like for a Spider student-athlete. A dozen professors accepted invitations from members of the Men's Basketball team to attend the Spiders game on February 1 vs St. Bonaventure. The group attended the team's pregame shootaround and joined the team for its pregame meal. That evening, the professors watched warmups from the court and were recognized for their commitment to their students and Richmond Athletics during a brief pregame ceremony.
Even though the Spiders ended up losing the game, Richmond's faculty gave the experience glowing reviews. "It was great to experience in person what these amazing student athletes do on a game day," said Professor of Finance Maura Alexander. "I've always admired my student-athletes and knew they did an amazing job with time management, juggling practices, games, classes and studies, but today gave me an even greater appreciation."
"Sideline with the Spiders provides a unique opportunity for student-athletes and faculty members to connect in meaningful ways," said Assistant Athletics Director Courtney Hughes, who coordinates the program. "It is incredible to witness their interactions as they engage with each other outside of the classroom."
Sideline With the Spiders will continue into the spring, with faculty attending either a Spider Baseball or Spider Men's Lacrosse contest.
This typical collegiate scenario occurred in a most atypical location due to Richmond Athletics' Sideline With the Spiders program, now in its fifth year. The program aims to create meaningful interactions between faculty and student-athletes outside a classroom setting and develop deeper relationships among two of the University's most important constituencies.
Student-athletes are asked to invite a favorite professor to a game as a way to thank them for their support while also giving them a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what game day is like for a Spider student-athlete. A dozen professors accepted invitations from members of the Men's Basketball team to attend the Spiders game on February 1 vs St. Bonaventure. The group attended the team's pregame shootaround and joined the team for its pregame meal. That evening, the professors watched warmups from the court and were recognized for their commitment to their students and Richmond Athletics during a brief pregame ceremony.
Even though the Spiders ended up losing the game, Richmond's faculty gave the experience glowing reviews. "It was great to experience in person what these amazing student athletes do on a game day," said Professor of Finance Maura Alexander. "I've always admired my student-athletes and knew they did an amazing job with time management, juggling practices, games, classes and studies, but today gave me an even greater appreciation."
"Sideline with the Spiders provides a unique opportunity for student-athletes and faculty members to connect in meaningful ways," said Assistant Athletics Director Courtney Hughes, who coordinates the program. "It is incredible to witness their interactions as they engage with each other outside of the classroom."
Sideline With the Spiders will continue into the spring, with faculty attending either a Spider Baseball or Spider Men's Lacrosse contest.
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