University of Richmond Athletics
Spiders Reflect on Year of Service in the Richmond Community
05/15/2026 | General, Spider Performance
Spider student-athletes made their campus, their city, and their region a brighter place during the 2025-26 school year, working together on more than a dozen community service efforts over the course of the fall and spring semesters. Despite schedules that made free time scarce, athletes donated countless hours to community engagement, a pillar of the Spider Performance program, Richmond's student-athlete success model built around academic, athletic, personal, and professional excellence.
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Logan Jackson, a sophomore on the women's soccer team and an executive board member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Student-Athletes of Color Alliance (SACA), led Richmond's efforts to support Street Soccer RVA. A group of Spider student-athletes spent seven Fridays at Chimborazo Elementary School in Richmond's Church Hill neighborhood, playing soccer with local children and giving them an opportunity to embrace their individuality and learn from college athletes.
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"As a leadership minor, we talk a lot about creating impact, and that mindset really stuck with me," said Jackson. "As a sophomore, I've felt much more confident in my role as a student-athlete on campus, which has pushed me to get more involved in the community.
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 "Every time we show up for these kids, they get so excited to see us. The girls are so energetic, and the boys especially love to play with the football players. Showing up consistently for them builds a trusting community where they feel seen."
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While the program has helped young students learn more about soccer and themselves, it's also had an impact on the Spiders who volunteered their time.
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"One of my favorite parts of Street Soccer is talking to other athletes before and after their first time going to the event," said Jackson. "Every time, they end up having more fun than the kids. Seeing people come back, bring their teammates, and genuinely continuing to show up for their community is incredibly rewarding."
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Street Soccer RVA was founded by former Spider soccer star Katie Tritt during her time at UR, and later helmed by fellow Spider soccer alum Anna Garcia. For her efforts at directing the program, Jackson was named the winner of the Outstanding Civic Engagement award at this year's SPIDYs.
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As president of SACA, football's Ronald Anderson, a senior, prioritized building bonds between Spider student-athletes and underserved parts of the Richmond region. Among the group's many community engagement efforts this year, SACA members collected more than 100 pairs of sneakers to be donated through a Soles4Souls shoe drive, visited local elementary schools to participate in field days, became active members of the Best Buddies program, and collaborated with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on a food drive to benefit the Chimborazo Elementary food pantry.
"Giving back to my community means investing in the next generation, because the youth are the future and deserve support, guidance, and opportunity," said Anderson. "It's humbling when we can pour into the children to help build stronger lives, a solid foundation, and a better community for everyone."
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Individual teams also carved out time from their training and competition schedules to give back. The men's lacrosse team partnered with St. Mary's Hospital to provide cleaning and upkeep to the Evelyn D. Reinhart Guest House, used by the hospital to provide a safe and peaceful accommodation for patients and their families. Spider baseball attended Henrico County Public Schools' Challenger Day, which allowed the players to work with HCPS students and staff to participate in adaptive baseball activities designed for all ages and ability levels.
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Halloween was a little more special at nearby Tuckahoe Elementary School this fall, as SAAC contributed over 100 Halloween goodie bags for the school's Trunk or Treat event, and then attended the school to distribute the bags to students along with a special guest, UR mascot WebstUR.
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Spider student-athletes continued their support of "Run Your City," a volunteer-run organization that seeks to break down barriers to sport, especially for kids who might not otherwise have access. The six-week program was led by current Spiders in the roles of coaches and mentors, with sessions blending racing, play, and value-driven learning.
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While athletic and academic performance at the University of Richmond can often be easily quantified in championships won or GPA earned, the impact of Spider student-athletes across the greater Richmond community remains immeasurable.
"I think community service gives our student-athletes an opportunity to take a step back and realize that being a Richmond student-athlete is always bigger than just their sport. These experiences allow them to connect with others, recognize the impact they can have, and see that so many young people truly look up to them," said Jalynn Spaulding, the Coordinator for Leadership Development and Engagement for Richmond Athletics. "I think it also reminds them that once upon a time, they were those same kids looking up to college athletes, so giving back and being present in the community is incredibly important. These moments not only impact the people we serve, but they also help shape our student-athletes into more thoughtful leaders, teammates, and individuals."
Â
Logan Jackson, a sophomore on the women's soccer team and an executive board member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Student-Athletes of Color Alliance (SACA), led Richmond's efforts to support Street Soccer RVA. A group of Spider student-athletes spent seven Fridays at Chimborazo Elementary School in Richmond's Church Hill neighborhood, playing soccer with local children and giving them an opportunity to embrace their individuality and learn from college athletes.
Â
"As a leadership minor, we talk a lot about creating impact, and that mindset really stuck with me," said Jackson. "As a sophomore, I've felt much more confident in my role as a student-athlete on campus, which has pushed me to get more involved in the community.
Â
 "Every time we show up for these kids, they get so excited to see us. The girls are so energetic, and the boys especially love to play with the football players. Showing up consistently for them builds a trusting community where they feel seen."
Â
While the program has helped young students learn more about soccer and themselves, it's also had an impact on the Spiders who volunteered their time.
Â
"One of my favorite parts of Street Soccer is talking to other athletes before and after their first time going to the event," said Jackson. "Every time, they end up having more fun than the kids. Seeing people come back, bring their teammates, and genuinely continuing to show up for their community is incredibly rewarding."
Â
Street Soccer RVA was founded by former Spider soccer star Katie Tritt during her time at UR, and later helmed by fellow Spider soccer alum Anna Garcia. For her efforts at directing the program, Jackson was named the winner of the Outstanding Civic Engagement award at this year's SPIDYs.
Â
As president of SACA, football's Ronald Anderson, a senior, prioritized building bonds between Spider student-athletes and underserved parts of the Richmond region. Among the group's many community engagement efforts this year, SACA members collected more than 100 pairs of sneakers to be donated through a Soles4Souls shoe drive, visited local elementary schools to participate in field days, became active members of the Best Buddies program, and collaborated with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on a food drive to benefit the Chimborazo Elementary food pantry.
"Giving back to my community means investing in the next generation, because the youth are the future and deserve support, guidance, and opportunity," said Anderson. "It's humbling when we can pour into the children to help build stronger lives, a solid foundation, and a better community for everyone."
Â
Individual teams also carved out time from their training and competition schedules to give back. The men's lacrosse team partnered with St. Mary's Hospital to provide cleaning and upkeep to the Evelyn D. Reinhart Guest House, used by the hospital to provide a safe and peaceful accommodation for patients and their families. Spider baseball attended Henrico County Public Schools' Challenger Day, which allowed the players to work with HCPS students and staff to participate in adaptive baseball activities designed for all ages and ability levels.
Â
Halloween was a little more special at nearby Tuckahoe Elementary School this fall, as SAAC contributed over 100 Halloween goodie bags for the school's Trunk or Treat event, and then attended the school to distribute the bags to students along with a special guest, UR mascot WebstUR.
Â
Spider student-athletes continued their support of "Run Your City," a volunteer-run organization that seeks to break down barriers to sport, especially for kids who might not otherwise have access. The six-week program was led by current Spiders in the roles of coaches and mentors, with sessions blending racing, play, and value-driven learning.
Â
While athletic and academic performance at the University of Richmond can often be easily quantified in championships won or GPA earned, the impact of Spider student-athletes across the greater Richmond community remains immeasurable.
"I think community service gives our student-athletes an opportunity to take a step back and realize that being a Richmond student-athlete is always bigger than just their sport. These experiences allow them to connect with others, recognize the impact they can have, and see that so many young people truly look up to them," said Jalynn Spaulding, the Coordinator for Leadership Development and Engagement for Richmond Athletics. "I think it also reminds them that once upon a time, they were those same kids looking up to college athletes, so giving back and being present in the community is incredibly important. These moments not only impact the people we serve, but they also help shape our student-athletes into more thoughtful leaders, teammates, and individuals."
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