Stadium Construction Kick-off Celebration

On Saturday, October 25, 2008 during Homecoming Weekend, a ceremony was held to celebrate the kick-off of construction for the new on campus multi-purpose stadium.  More than 100 alumni, faculty, friends, students and staff attended a brief ceremony at First Market Stadium.  The Pep Band was on hand as well as Spidey.  Jim Miller, Director of Athletics, Mandy Friend, ’09, Captain of the Women’s Lacrosse team and President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Justin Forte, ‘09 member of the Football team, Mike London, Football Coach, Rick Jeffrey, President of Special Olympics, Virginia and Dr. Ed Ayers offered remarks.  The surprise element of the ceremony was the arrival of the 2008-2009 Richmond Football Team which was able to stay for most of the ceremony before leaving to prepare for the Homecoming game against Georgetown.  The event concluded with a ceremonial kick-off including Spidey who kicked a soccer ball, Will Healy, ‘09 who kicked a football and Mandy Friend who tossed a lacrosse ball. Construction is scheduled to be complete in time for the season opening football game of 2010.