Kristian Ferrell
Richmond, Virginia, is home to three professional sports teams, though none compete in major leagues. The city has gained national recognition for its two Division I college basketball teams, the VCU Rams and the Richmond Spiders, who play at the Stuart C. Siegel Center and the Robins Center, respectively. Richmond also has a semi-professional basketball team, Richmond Elite, which competes in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Richmond Elite has been ranked from #1 to #7 in the nation and has a record of 105 wins and 20 losses. The team has also won 5 Division Championships and has had 14 players advance to play basketball overseas. While Richmond has a thriving basketball scene, it is not geographically close to any major professional basketball teams or leagues. The closest major city is Washington, D.C., which is 96.87 miles (155.90 km) away.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of professional sports teams in Richmond, Virginia | 3 |
| Are any of these teams in a major professional league? | No |
| Examples of professional sports teams in Richmond, Virginia | Richmond Elite, Richmond Renegades, Richmond RiverDogs, Richmond Flying Squirrels |
| Examples of college basketball teams in Richmond, Virginia | Richmond Spiders, VCU Rams |
| Distance from Richmond, Virginia, to Charlottesville, Virginia | 66.1 miles or 106.4 km |
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What You'll Learn
Richmond Elite: the city's most successful basketball team
Richmond, Virginia, is home to several basketball teams, but none that compete in any major professional leagues. The city's most successful basketball team is arguably the Richmond Elite, a team that is part of the American Basketball Association (ABA), the largest professional league in the world.
The Richmond Elite Academy is one of the top athletic facilities in the Richmond, VA area. It offers a range of sports and fitness activities for the whole family, with a focus on basketball and football. The academy provides team practice, camps, personal training, and leagues for both sports, as well as Vertimax training. Their facilities are also available for rent for various events, from birthday parties to meetings.
The Elite Academy promotes physical fitness and athleticism in a fun, safe, and clean environment. It caters to both professional and non-professional athletes, providing a safe haven for community members of all ages, genders, and fitness backgrounds.
While Richmond may not have a major professional basketball team, the city has still gained national spotlight thanks to its two Division I college basketball teams: the VCU Rams and the Richmond Spiders. The VCU Rams men's basketball team reached the Final Four of the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, while the Richmond Spiders made it to the Sweet 16 of the same tournament.
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Richmond Spiders: the University of Richmond's basketball team
Richmond, Virginia, is home to three professional sports teams, none of which compete in any major professional leagues. The Richmond Braves minor league baseball team left for Georgia in 2008, and the city also has hockey and basketball teams.
The Richmond Spiders are the University of Richmond's basketball team. They are one of two Division I college basketball teams in the region, the other being the VCU Rams. The Spiders have appeared in ten NCAA tournaments, eleven National Invitation Tournaments, and three College Basketball Invitational tournaments. In 2011, they reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.
Three Spider players have had their numbers retired by the University, and the team has enjoyed some success in recent years, bringing Richmond into the national spotlight. Their overall record in the NCAA is 9-10, and in the NIT, it is 11-11. In the CBI, their record is more balanced at 3-3.
Some notable scores include a 69-65 victory against Richmond by Davidson, with Reed Bailey scoring 25 points. George Mason also defeated Richmond 64-60, with Darius Maddox scoring 18 points. Dayton won against Richmond with a score of 74-64, with Enoch Cheeks scoring 18 points, including four in the second overtime.
The University of Richmond's basketball team has a rich history and has achieved success in recent years, bringing recognition to the city and the region's sports teams.
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VCU Rams: Virginia Commonwealth University's basketball team
The VCU Rams are the athletic teams of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. The Rams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The university sponsors teams in seven men's and eight women's NCAA-sanctioned sports.
The VCU Rams men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball team that represents Virginia Commonwealth University. The team was founded in 1968, the same year that the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia merged to form Virginia Commonwealth University. The Rams joined the Atlantic 10 Conference in the 2012-13 season after previously competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
The VCU Rams men's basketball team has enjoyed success in recent years, reaching the Final Four of the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The team has also made several other notable appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including in 1985 when they received a #2 seed, the highest seeding the team has ever earned. In 2017, the Rams were ranked the 40th most valuable men's basketball program in the country by The Wall Street Journal, with a valuation of $56.9 million.
The first varsity basketball team was fielded in 1968 and coached by Benny Dees. The current head coach is Ryan Odom, who was preceded by Phil Martelli Jr. and Shaka Smart, among others. The team has produced several notable players, including Eric Maynor, who was drafted 20th overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz.
In addition to the men's basketball team, the VCU Rams have also achieved success in other sports, particularly men's tennis. The men's tennis team has been nationally ranked in the top 50 since 1993 and reached the NCAA Finals in 2000. The VCU Rams women's lacrosse team also made headlines in 2018 when they defeated UMass, ending their 61-game Atlantic 10 conference win streak.
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Richmond Renegades: Richmond's most successful hockey team
The Richmond Renegades were a professional ice hockey team based in Richmond, Virginia. They played in the East Coast Hockey League from 1990 until 2003 when they folded. During their 13 seasons, the Renegades experienced great success, winning several championships.
In the 1994–95 season, the Renegades won the Riley Cup as league champions. The following season, they claimed the Brabham Cup as the regular-season champions. In the 1998–99 season, they added the Northern Conference championship to their trophy cabinet. The Renegades also came close to winning the Kelly Cup in the 1999 finals but fell short, losing to the Mississippi Sea Wolves despite leading the series 3-1 at one point.
The Renegades played their home games at the Richmond Coliseum, which they creatively marketed as the "Freezer" to emphasize the ice hockey experience. The team had notable rivals in the Hampton Roads Admirals, based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Several notable players graced the ice for the Renegades over the years. Krys Barch played for the Renegades in 2001–02 and went on to a successful NHL career with various teams. Frank Bialowas, a former Toronto Maple Leafs player, was also part of the Renegades in 1992–93. Andy Bezeau, known for his high penalty minutes, played for the Renegades in 1991–92. Brad Church, a former first-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals, spent his final playing years with the Renegades from 2001 to 2003.
Other notable players include Trevor Jobe, who broke ECHL records for goals and points scored while with the Renegades in 1991–92. Ryan Kraft, a former Sharks draft pick, spent two seasons with the Renegades before playing for the Sharks in the NHL. Rod Langway, a Stanley Cup-winning Hall of Fame defenseman, briefly came out of retirement to join the Renegades for part of the 1995 season, later returning as an assistant coach. Manny Legace, a Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings, played for the Renegades in the 1996–97 season.
After the original Renegades folded, the team name was revived by a new SPHL franchise that played from 2006 to 2009, owned by the original owner Allan Harvie. This iteration of the Renegades also played at the Richmond Coliseum and competed in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
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Richmond has no major sports teams
Richmond, Virginia, is home to three professional sports teams, but none of them compete in any major professional leagues. Virginia is the most populated state without a major sports team. This is likely due to its proximity to other markets, especially Washington, D.C.
Richmond has a rich history of minor league baseball, with the International League Baltimore Orioles moving to the city in 1954 and becoming the Richmond Virginians. They played at Parker Field and were part of the New York Yankees' organisation for most of their time in Richmond. In 1966, the Atlanta Crackers moved to Richmond and became the Richmond Braves, playing at Parker Field until 1984. The Richmond Braves left for Gwinnett County, Georgia, in 2008, and were replaced by the Richmond Flying Squirrels in 2010. However, the Flying Squirrels' owner has threatened to leave Richmond if they do not replace their current stadium, The Diamond.
Richmond has also hosted several minor pro hockey teams since the 1970s, including the American Hockey League Richmond Robins and the Richmond Renegades of the East Coast Hockey League. The Richmond Renegades played at the Coliseum from 1990 to 2003 and were the most successful of Richmond's hockey teams. The city has also had indoor football teams such as the Richmond Raiders and the Richmond Roughriders, who played at the Richmond Coliseum in 2017 and 2018.
Richmond has gained national attention in recent years due to the success of its two Division I college basketball teams, the VCU Rams and the Richmond Spiders. The VCU Rams men's basketball team reached the Final Four of the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, while the Richmond Spiders men's basketball team made it to the Sweet 16. The city also has a women's football team, the Richmond Black Widows, who play in the Women's Football Alliance, and a non-profit soccer team, the Richmond Kickers, who play at City Stadium.
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Frequently asked questions
Richmond, Virginia is home to the Richmond Elite, a professional basketball team and member of the American Basketball Association (ABA). So, not far at all!
The Richmond Elite has been ranked from #1 to #7 in the nation and 1st in the Mid-Atlantic Division. They have a record of 105 wins and 20 losses and have been to the playoffs each season, winning 5 Division Championships.
Yes, Richmond is also home to the Richmond Spiders men's basketball team, which represents the University of Richmond and competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The VCU Rams men's basketball team is another successful Division I college basketball team in the city.
Richmond has had a variety of sports teams over the years, but none that have competed in any major professional leagues. The city had a minor league baseball team, the Richmond Braves, until 2008 when they left for Georgia.
The Richmond Spiders have developed a reputation as a "giant killer" in the NCAA tournament, pulling off several upsets against higher-ranked opponents. They hold the distinction of being the only basketball program to win NCAA tournament games as a 12, 13, 14, and 15 seed.
