Robins Center

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The Robins Center
Location	University of Richmond Richmond, VA 23173
Opened	December 2, 1972
Owner	University of Richmond
Operator	University of Richmond
Surface	Maple (basketball court)
Tenants
Richmond Spiders (Men's & Women's Basketball)
Seats
9,071

The Robins Center is a 9,071-seat multi-purpose arena in Richmond, Virginia. Opened in 1972, the arena is home to the University of Richmond Spiders basketball. It hosted the ECAC South (now known as the Colonial Athletic Association) men's basketball tournament in 1983. It is named for E. Claiborne Robins, class of 1931, who, along with his family, have been leading benefactors for the school. The opening of the Robins Center returning Spider basketball to an on-campus facility for the first time since the mid-1940s when it outgrew Millhiser Gymnasium. In the intervening decades, the Spiders played home games in numerous locations around the Richmond area, including the Richmond Coliseum (1971-1972), the Richmond Arena (1954-1971), the Benedictine High School gymnasium (1951-1954), Grays' Armory (1950-1951) and Blues' Armory (1947-1950).

The Robins Center has seen a number of upgrades in the last few years, including a new maple floor in 2003 and renovated locker rooms and offices in 2004. A new scoreboard and sound system is currently being installed for the 2006-2007 season. The Robins Center arena serves as the location of the University of Richmond's commencement exercises and hosted a 1992 Presidential debate involving Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush, and Ross Perot.

In addition to the basketball arena, the Robins Center also serves as the home of many of the other athletic programs at the University of Richmond. The Robins Center Natatorium serves as the home of the women's swimming and diving team, while most of the other programs have their coaches' offices in the building. An addition to the Robins Center, known as the Weinstein Center for Fitness and Recreation, will provide expanded facilities for recreational use on campus upon completion in early 2007.