Football fans and tailgating families alike celebrated with unexpectedly clear skies last weekend at the university's annual family weekend.
About 950 families participated in a variety of university-sponsored events from Friday to Sunday.
Saturday's football game against Old Dominion University, a Richmond rival, attracted a large Spider fan base at E. Claiborne Robins Stadium. The original allotment of 1,000 tickets was sold out after being distributed through a lottery system. No waiting list was kept, said Beth King, director of special events.
The new policy was more fair than previous years, and some families who had not won the lottery received last-minute tickets, King said. The lottery system would likely continue, she said.
Before the game, families and students tailgated across campus in several parking lots, including those by the Robins School of Business and the Jepson Alumni Center.
Senior cheerleader Brooke Duffany said that the family-friendly atmosphere at the stadium had made the game more enjoyable for her.
"There was a lot of spirit beyond what there normally is at our games," Duffany said. "Looking around, the stadium was packed. It was a great experience that families were able to share together."
The football game was not the only event that drew a substantial crowd. Campus a capella groups performed two concerts on Saturday, including a show in the Greek Theatre.
Other activities focused on student development and academia. In addition to faculty seminars and deans' discussions, President Edward Ayers held a talk on the Civil War.
"I felt parents and families took advantage of many of the events on the schedule," Steve Bisese, vice president for student development, said. "I popped in and out of a number of sessions and felt the attendance was great."
Some parents traveled from as far away as Europe to spend the weekend with their children.
Family weekend offered sophomore Louise Andersson a chance to expose her parents, native Swedes, to her and her brother's lives at Richmond. Her brother Fredric is a senior. Andersson's family attended the Westhampton Deanery open house, Business School speeches and a tailgate at the lodges, she said.
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"Since we don't usually see our parents between summer and Christmas, it was fun to see them now, even if it was only for a couple of days," Andersson said. "We shared what we usually do during a normal week at Richmond. My mom got to see another side of me when I gave a Spider Key campus tour and was impressed with where I have come since I left home."
The golf outing at Crossings Golf Club on Friday was well-attended, as was the Fearless Friday program on the Odyssey High Ropes Course, Bisese said.
At the 33rd annual Arts Around the Lake show, about 100 local artists bought booths from the university to display their artwork. The show was held on Lakeview Lane and Richmond Way from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A number of families had remained on campus all day Sunday specifically to attend Arts Around the Lake, Bisese said.
Sunday had come too quickly for many members of the senior class, senior Bryan Scalici said. Scalici said the weekend had been both entertaining and bittersweet.
Many members of the graduating class of 2013 gathered on the Westhampton Green Friday night for Senior Cheers. Students and parents mingled, danced and enjoyed a variety of beers, wines, sodas and hors d'ouvres.
"It's always exciting to see your family and friends together," senior Bryan Scalici said. "From dinners, to tailgating, to Senior Cheers, it was an amazing weekend."
Bisese said he had thought it had been a truly special weekend and that he had admired all that those who had planned and handled the registration processes had done.
"Most important was that it didn't rain," King said. "That was a huge plus. Last year it was a deluge, and that really dampened the weekend."
Contact staff writer Jenna Robinson at jenna.robinson@richmond.edu
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