For Christmas, a heartwarming story of love and sacrifice from a University of Richmond basketball player. It is definitely worth the read.

Moments that find this little family sharing the same space — moments such as today, Christmas, the last day of the Spiders’ six-day holiday break — are fulfilling beyond description. Goring, the younger sister of Washington Mystics post player Gillian Goring, was asked to describe the emotions that accompany a reunion with her son following a lengthy separation.

“I can’t,” she said. “I’m not sure words can explain something like that. I don’t know — maybe some people can put it into words. But I know I can’t.”

But soon thereafter, she did. Goring’s eyes and face seemed illuminated by a glow from within as she recalled a recent visit from Jabari.

“I picked him up and held him and I couldn’t stop smiling,” she said. “I held him for a long time . . . a long time. I didn’t want to let go. Finally my mother said, ‘You know, it’s OK if you want to put him down. He’s probably ready to play.’ And I said, ‘Not a chance. I’m going to hold him as long as he’ll let me.’”

Roanoke.com just announced The Edge’s first ever college awards. University of Richmond wins for most expensive college in the state at $37,610 a year. Amazing! Plenty of folks have never even earned that much in one year.

University of Richmond has a great women’s swimming program. I know firsthand. From 2002-2004, I swim for their head coach, Matt Kredich, as part of the Triathlonmoms team his wife ran. Since then, the pool has been revamped and the coaches have changed, but the heart of the program is the same.
The Bridgeton (N.J.) News reports this week that they’ve gained another great swimmer, Jill Smaniotto.

“They have a girl that going in as freshman swam 57 (seconds) in the 100 fly and now as a junior she is doing 53 (seconds),” she said. “In a year and a half she dropped four seconds. Their style of training is just phenomenal.”

That style features a more personal approach that focuses on what each swimmer’s heart rate should be at different intervals. It is a new, more scientific, approach that Smaniotto said is starting to get notice from other schools.

Can we get an “oops” on the behalf of a group of University of Richmond students that were in court, according to an article from the Times-Dispatch.

Must have been one shindig of a party with over 35 arrests and dozens more people involved. Sure, we all need to blow off a little steam but, wow, did they really think they wouldn’t get caught with that many people involved? Like I said: “oops.”

Love the quote the judge said. My sentiments exactly.

General District Judge Archer L. Yeatts III, whose father was state Alcoholic Beverage Control commissioner, told more than a dozen students appearing before him Monday that “You all aren’t as smart as I thought you were.”

And throwing the party a month after two fraternity officers were charged with helping an underage student get alcohol defies logic, the judge said.

According to an article from the Times-Dispatch, the University of Richmond has gained Harry Lee Daniel, a Highland Springs senior, via a verbal commitment.

Daniel was a key offensive element for the Springers, who were 10-0 in the regular season. Highland Springs was No. 1 in The Times-Dispatch Poll and was ranked No. 5 in the final Associated Press poll before being eliminated by Hermitage 21-20 in the Central Region playoffs.

Here’s the latest University of Richmond Spiders Sports update from Bob Black:

Gonzalvez Shoots Spiders Past Tribe
On the strength of a career-high seven three-pointers, sophomore David Gonzalvez poured in 21 points to lead Richmond’s 58-55 comeback win over William & Mary Wednesday night at the Robins Center. The Spiders posted their first home win, have won two of their last three and are back to .500 on the season.

Spider Football: Playoff Game, Ticket & TV Information
Tickets for Saturday’s football playoff game at Wofford (7 p.m. ET) are $20 for adults, $10 for youths (12 and under) and $10 for University of Richmond students with valid I.D. Tickets can be purchased at the Robins Center Ticket Office or by calling 1-877-SPIDER-1. Orders must be placed by Thursday at 5 p.m. ET. Tickets may also be purchased through the Wofford ticket office as available until game time. No online orders will be accepted. The telecast will be available in the Richmond area on WUPV-TV Channel 65 (Channel 13 on Comcast Cable). It is available for out-of-marketing viewing as part of the pay-per-view subscription ESPN Gameplan package. FOOTBALL TICKETS | ESPN GAMEPLAN INFO

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The University of Richmond’s Chapel Guild will conduct its biennial Christmas House Tour Dec. 6. Five homes along Kanawha, Bandy, Cary, Three Chopt and Cherokee roads will be open.

Tickets, limited to 500 people, are $30 and include lunch at the university’s Jepson Alumni Center. To purchase tickets, call (804) 288-2118 or the Chaplaincy Office at (804) 289-8500.

The Chapel Guild supports Cannon Memorial Chapel and the Office of the Chaplaincy at the university, including sponsorship of a choral production of “Messiah” every four years. In addition, the guild supplies Bibles and hymnals and decorates the chapel for major holidays. The house tour has been held every two years since 1983.

The University of Richmond’s Modlin Center has provided the following info regarding their upcoming events for the month of November.

Lionheart offers early classics and new works for men’s voices

Lionheart is one of America’s leading ensembles in vocal chamber music. This all-male sextet is best known for its interpretation of medieval and Renaissance a cappella music, with Gregorian Chant as the keystone of its repertoire. Hailed by Early Music America for their -rich, true tones and flawlessly blended harmonies,-Lionheart will mesmerize Richmond music lovers with -Wayfaring Stranger,- a diverse repertoire of a cappella music from the 13th century to the present day.

Check out Lionheart’s recording and take a listen

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Bob Black of the University of Richmond Athletics Department sent us the following release of a new fund established in the name of Dan Woolley, ‘05:

The University of Richmond community was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Daniel “Dan” Woolley `05. The thoughts of many at the University of Richmond community are with Dan’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Dan was such a remarkable, inspiring and encouraging person to be around. Although short in stature, Dan stood tall as an integral part of the men’s basketball program. He served as team manager from 2002-05 and was an inspiration for the University of Richmond community.

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The University of Richmond enjoyed great success with its EWaste initiative held on October 11-13. This community event invited all types of old computer and electronics equipment users ranging from consumers to businesses to schools to allow them to drop off their unused gear, at no cost to them, for recycling purposes. (Photo by VCU)

According to Richmond.com:

The Richmond campus hosted an e-waste recycling event Oct. 11-13, collecting about 250,000 pounds of computers, keyboards and other electronics. Organizers hope the event will be the first of many for the university.

If anyone has EWaste they’d like to let go of, St. Christopher’s School, 711 St. Christopher’s Road, also holds an annual event of this nature. We’ll keep our readers apprised of the event dates.

In addition, North Richmond News is reporting an event at the Diamond on November 17th.