University of Richmond Athletics
10/30/2026 | General, Spider Athletic Fund
Greetings Spiders,
As October gives way to November, Richmond Athletics is entering one of the busiest and most meaningful stretches of its year. Thanks to the tireless work of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, football, field hockey, soccer, and cross country have already given us much to celebrate this fall, and with conference titles and postseason berths still within reach, some of their most important moments are still ahead. Beginning next week, the Robins Center will once again be filled with the sights and sounds of Spider basketball as our men’s and women’s teams open their seasons. There is a great deal to look forward to across Richmond Athletics in the coming weeks, and I hope you will be there to experience it with us.
As exciting as competition can be, some of the most meaningful moments in college athletics take place away from the field. Earlier this month, our reigning A10 champion men’s and women’s golf teams traveled to Ireland, where they competed on some of the world’s most renowned links courses. The trip was about much more than golf, however. Our student-athletes immersed themselves in another culture, strengthened relationships with their teammates and coaches, and created memories that will remain with them long after their playing careers have ended. We are grateful to coaches Calle Barlow and Adam Decker for the care and planning that went into the experience, and to the generous Spider supporters who helped make it possible. Opportunities like this are a natural extension of a Richmond education, and they are exactly what we hope every Spider carries forward.
That same spirit was on full display last Friday evening at the Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, where we welcomed the Class of 2026: Tim Bezbatchenko (Men’s Soccer, 2000-2003), Vito Chiaravalloti (Baseball, 2000-2003), Eric McBride (Football, 2007-2010), Brittani Shells (Women’s Basketball, 2007-2011), and Jessica Witt Leach (Swimming & Diving, 2004-2008). As the inductees reflected on their extraordinary careers, they spoke not only about championships, records, and unforgettable performances, but also about the teammates, coaches and experiences that have shaped their lives. Their remarks were a fitting reminder that the impact of Richmond Athletics does not end at graduation. It endures through lifelong relationships, lessons learned, and the pride of having represented this great University. Congratulations to each of our inductees, and thank you to their families and friends as well as to our staff for making it such a memorable evening.
Preserving and strengthening that experience for future generations of Spiders requires the commitment of our entire Richmond community, and we are grateful and excited to be a part of the University’s recently launched Accelerate Richmond campaign. The campaign offers an important opportunity to invest in Richmond Athletics and help ensure that our student-athletes continue to receive the resources, opportunities and support they need to pursue excellence academically, athletically, personally, and professionally. Every gift to Richmond Athletics is an investment in the young people who represent this University, and in an experience that will shape them for the rest of their lives.
Thank you, as always, for your loyal support of our Spiders. Your presence in the stands and your generosity make a real difference for our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. I look forward to seeing you as we cheer on our fall teams during the championship weeks ahead and welcome Spider basketball back to the hardwood of the Robins Center.
Take care, be well, and … Go Spiders!
John P. Hardt
Vice President & Director of Athletics
athleticdirector@richmond.edu
Catch up on the latest highlights from Spider Athletics below.
BASKETBALL BEGINS IN A BIG WAY
Basketball season tips off with four chances to see the Spiders in the Robins Center next week. The men will open their season with a White Out vs UNC Asheville Monday at 7 PM and welcome Southern Virginia for a 7 PM tip on Thursday. The women’s team hosts a pair of fellow mid-major powers as part of the new Opening Statement event, a scheduling alliance among the A10, Ivy League, American Conference, and Missouri Valley Conference. Richmond and new coach Alisa Kresge will host Princeton at 6 PM on November 6th and Rice at 2:30 PM on November 8th.
FIRST-PLACE SPIDERS
Following a Homecoming win over Colgate, the Spiders find themselves atop the Patriot League standings at 4-1 with one month remaining in the regular season. After road trips to Holy Cross and Villanova in the next two weeks, Richmond will return to Robins Stadium for its final two regular season games, hosting Lehigh, currently tied with UR for first place in the conference, on November 14th and welcoming William & Mary for the 137th playing of The Capital Cup Presented by C&F Bank on November 21st.
RVA RIVALRY TIMES TWO
Coming off a win over No. 18 Louisville, its first win vs a ranked opponent since 2017, field hockey hosts VCU today at 5 PM at Crenshaw Field in the regular season finale for both teams. The Spiders and Rams will meet again next Thursday at 2 PM in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament at Cary Street Field on the VCU campus. With a win, Richmond would advance to the A10 title game, played at Cary Street Field on November 7 at 12 PM, for a second straight season.
LARRIPA LETS IT RIP
Senior Clara Larripa scored six times in field hockey’s two wins last weekend, recording four goals at Lock Haven and two more in UR’s upset win over Louisville. That moved Larripa to 24 goals on the season, seven more than any other player in Division I! She was named A10 Offensive Player of the Week for the fifth time this season on Monday.
SOCCER’S BIG CHANCE
At 8-3-6 with one regular season game remaining, Spider soccer has already secured its first winning season since 2011! Richmond has a chance to return to the A10 Tournament for the first time since 2021 with a win vs Fordham Sunday at 1:30 PM at President’s Field. Richmond is unbeaten on its home turf this season, with a record of 6-0-3.
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Spiders will have a home-course advantage at the A10 Cross Country Championships Saturday morning at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville, Va., as UR is hosting an event for an unprecedented third time this season. Fans can stream the race beginning at 9:45 AM on ESPN+ or come out and cheer on the Spiders. Admission is free.
"Burn all the boats." ????The Spiders are ready to leave it all on the course at Saturday's A10 Championship at Pole Green Park. #OneRichmondhttps://t.co/9xlgL6Xa3I
— SPIDER XC&TF (@RichmondXCTF) October 28, 2026
"We really talked about the word 'sacrifice' the last week, and I just want to put myself out there for my team."The Spiders will race for themselves and each other Saturday at the A10 Championship. #OneRichmondhttps://t.co/ypW8oaGG3T
— SPIDER XC&TF (@RichmondXCTF) October 28, 2026
