Why is Richmond’s Mascot the Spiders?
WouterFor the most part, the University of Richmond’s Spiders mascot has been a bit of a mystery. It is a unique name for a college athletic team and is not commonly used elsewhere. However, it is a name that holds a number of meanings. It is also a symbol of painstaking perseverance, success and good judgment. The University of Richmond website has information about why the nickname was given to the athletic program.
In 1893, a professional baseball team came to Richmond. The team wore the same name as the city, but had no real connection to the school. A reporter at the Times-Dispatch called the team “Spiders.” It wasn’t long before the University’s athletic program adopted this name.
The spider mascot has morphed into several different designs over the years. The most recent version was a placid caped hornet-like character. It was designed by Rickabaugh Graphics. The headband-wearing spider was a winner in the contest for the best design.
Richmond has a number of athletic teams, including the men’s basketball and volleyball programs. The football team competes in the NCAA Division I. The women’s golf team plays in the Patriot League. The Richmond lacrosse team is currently in the Southern Conference, but will move to the A-10 league in 2023. The men’s lacrosse program is coached by Dan Chemotti. The university’s athletic logo is also a nod to Spyder, a sports gear company.
The Richmond men’s basketball live spider arrived in November. The live spider was named after the winningest coach in the program’s history. Tara is a green-bottle blue Venezuelan tarantula. It is 3.5 inches long and lives for up to 10 years. She feeds on small roaches and crickets on a weekly basis. The biology department on campus has been responsible for maintaining her.
