E. Claiborne Robins Stadium

E. Claiborne Robins Stadium
Former names First Market Stadium; Soccer/Track Complex
Location 238 Boatwright Drive
Richmond, VA 23173 USA
Owner University of Richmond
Operator University of Richmond
Capacity 8,700
Surface FieldTurf
Construction
Broke ground October 25, 2008[1]
Opened September 18, 2010
Construction cost $28 million[2]
Architect BCWH Architects
McMillan, Pazdan, Smith
Structural engineer Dunbar Milby Williams Pittman & Vaughan[3]
Services engineer Thompson Consulting Engineers[4]
General contractor Hourigan Construction[5]
Tenants
Richmond Spiders
(football, soccer, lacrosse, track & field)

E. Claiborne Robins Stadium is an 8,700-seat multi-purpose stadium at the University of Richmond. It is currently home to the Richmond Spiders men's football, women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, and women's track and field team. Known for many years simply as the Soccer/Track Complex, the facility was renamed First Market Stadium in 2001 in recognition of a major gift from First Market Bank.[6] In 2002, the stadium's track was completely rebuilt,[7] and in 2003 was named Fred Hardy Track in honor of the longtime Spider coach.[6] The playing surface was changed from natural grass to FieldTurf artificial turf in 2004.[8] On September 16, 2009, the University of Richmond announced that First Market Stadium would be renamed E. Claiborne Robins Stadium to honor the legacy of E. Claiborne Robins, Sr. and his historic philanthropy to the school.[9]

Moving football on-campus

The Spider football team played its home games at City Stadium, which was named University of Richmond Stadium from 1988–2010, for over 80 years. The stadium is located approximately three miles from the campus,.[10] As the stadium aged and demand grew for an on-campus facility, plans were proposed for expanding First Market Stadium in order to accommodate the football program. The plans called for an expansion to 8,700 seats and an opening date for football of 2010. In excess of $25 million was committed to the project by the university and donors, including a $5 million gift from the Robins Foundation.[11] Demolition on the old stadium began on December 20, 2008, coincidentally the day after the Spider Football team won the school's first National Championship. With the 2 events coinciding, some were prompted to comment "Some teams tear down goal posts when they win a championship, Richmond tore down a stadium.[12]" The facility will continue to serve as the home of the soccer, lacrosse, and track and field programs along with the football program. The first football game at Robins Stadium was Richmond's overtime win over Elon University on September 18, 2010.

References

  1. ↑ "Homecoming Weekend". The Alumni Magazine. 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ University of Richmond Alumni Magazine – Winter 2010: Around the Lake: Construction stays on track
  3. ↑ "U of R - Robins Football Stadium". Dunbar Milby Williams Pittman & Vaughan. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ "LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)". Thompson Consulting Engineers. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Awards". Hourigan Construction. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  6. 1 2 First Market Stadium/Fred Hardy Track
  7. ↑ Track Renovations Complete
  8. ↑ New FieldTurf In First Market Stadium Unveiled
  9. ↑ New on-campus stadium to be named E. Claiborne Robins Stadium
  10. ↑ Richmond Official Athletic Site - Facilities - University of Richmond Stadium
  11. ↑ Robins Foundation awards $8 million to University of Richmond for on-campus stadium and Westhampton Center
  12. ↑ http://www.richmondspiders.com/view.gal?id=39940

Coordinates: 37°34′51″N 77°32′12″W / 37.580892°N 77.536805°W / 37.580892; -77.536805

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