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GRTC Connects: Route 20 – City Stadium to the Diamond

Wyatt Gordon | June 27, 2019

Topics: Arthur Ashe Boulevard, city stadium, GRTC, GRTC Connects, parking lots, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond kickers, The Diamond

The fourth installment of a monthly series in which a hometown Richmonder who has spent over a decade abroad explores the many different neighborhoods accessible by GRTC bus lines to discover the ways transit connects us all.

City Stadium:

Stranded in the triangle of land between the Powhite Parkway, the Downtown Expressway, and the place where they intertwine lies a quaint and oft-forgotten neighborhood of mostly one-story shotgun houses.  This charmingly demure part of town rarely receives any attention (or visitors) outside of the roughly dozen nights a year it hosts the fans of what has become a popular local institution. The neighborhood itself would lack a name were it not for its largest resident: City Stadium.

The University of Richmond constructed the stadium in 1929 at a cost of just $80,000 to serve as the home field for its football team.  Although considered small for today’s era of mega-stadiums, ninety years ago an arena that seats approximately 22,000 people would have been considered luxuriously capacious. Unglamorous as some may find it, the Richmond Kickers have declared City Stadium home, securing a 40-year lease on the property from the city in 2016. In exchange, the Kickers will invest $20 million worth of upgrades into the venue. Such forward thinking seems to come easily to the Kickers — a team that has built itself from the ground up over the past two and a half decades.

Founded in 1993, the Richmond Kickers are tied with the Charleston Battery as the oldest continuously-run soccer team in the country.  A year after the Kickers moved in to City Stadium (known as U of R Stadium until 2010 when the Spiders ended their lease and moved back onto campus), Richmond hosted the qualifying match for the North, Central American & Caribbean section of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The match attracted thousands of fans and put Virginia’s sole professional soccer team on the map.

Since the early years, the Kickers have more than quadrupled their average attendance. With the increasing popularity and inclusive spirit of the sport, the team believes investing in outreach could one day make them Richmonders’ top team to cheer for. The first demographic the Kickers targeted is the region’s skyrocketing Latinx population. Last season’s hosting of RCD Espanyol from the beloved La Liga proved a true coup, drawing huge crowds and marking the first time a team from Spain’s top flight appeared in Virginia.

This year the Kickers transformed their June 1st home game against North Texas SC into a Pride Night themed overture to Virginia’s LGBTQ+ community.  Live music, happy hour deals, and an auction of rainbow warmup jerseys that benefited Health Brigade added up to a strong effort by the Kickers’ management to make queer Richmonders feel not only welcome but celebrated.

Photo by Suzanne Velasco

The River City Red Army — a ragtag group of rabid fans who typically take over Section O of the stadium — took their dedication to inclusion a step further when they set off a rainbow-colored smoke bomb at the start of the game, instead of the usual bright red of the Kickers’ jerseys. The Red Army isn’t just making a show of supporting Richmond’s LGBTQ population, they are putting their money where their mouth is through a Prideraiser campaign to donate $200 per goal to Diversity Richmond for every goal the team scores during Pride Month. 

With over 4,500 attendees on Pride Night — a strong showing for Richmond’s soccer club — the Kickers’ embrace of our region’s growing diversity seems to be paying off. Just as City Stadium becomes an ever more popular destination, so too will homebuyers increasingly flock to the Stadium neighborhood, a surprisingly affordable pocket of the city whose proximity to Carytown and small-town feel cannot go ignored forever.

The Ride:

Standing at the corner of Freeman Avenue and Maplewood Road adjacent to the gravel-strewn expanse that serves as City Stadium’s parking lot, it struck me how convenient it must be to take the bus to a Kickers game. In just eight minutes, Route 20 will take you to or from the Science Museum Pulse Station. The same could be said of the Diamond, just a 15-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride from that same Pulse stop.

Increasing the frequency of the 20 to 15 minutes rather than 30, or even changing the schedule to five- or ten-minute intervals during the hour or two before and after Kickers’ and Flying Squirrels’ home games may be enough to convince more city dwellers to ditch their cars in favor of transit. The Kickers’ small gravel lot isn’t a huge eyesore and doesn’t contribute to our city’s terrible urban heat island; however, the Diamond (mis)manages its footprint on the city very differently.

The overwhelming majority of the area surrounding the Diamond is wasted on endless asphalt. More successful sports arenas strategically surround themselves with the dense housing, retail, offices, and greenspace needed to activate the neighborhood beyond the few dozen days a year the team is in town.  

Venues like our capital’s Nationals Park, or Boston’s Fenway Park, have reinvigorated entire neighborhoods. It doesn’t take much imagination to envision an alternate future for the Boulevard, similar to the rapid development of D.C.’s Navy Yard. Repurposing industrial and unused land has the added bonus of not displacing anyone, an increasing concern for the city.

As I pondered ways to manage the symptoms and side effects of gentrification, I checked the GRTC app (powered by Google Maps) and Transit App to figure out when the next bus would come. GRTC estimated a 20-minute wait while Transit predicted just five. Exactly five minutes later the 20 arrived, providing more evidence that GRTC should cut the budget for its app and invest the savings in increasing coverage or frequency of service.

In just 17 minutes, the 20 zipped its way northward to the Diamond through Carytown, past Cary Street Station, up Robinson Street in the Fan, and through the southeastern corner of Scott’s Addition, passing some of Richmond’s choicest watering holes. The two sports arenas and the plethora of dive bars and small eateries along the route make the 20 an ideal bus for an evening out on the town, whether it’s a game with your friends or a date with your boo.

The Diamond:

Sometimes nomenclature can be so important to us that we duke it out for decades until we decide what to call something. Other times, a name can sit on a map for a century and a half without anyone speaking it or even knowing its providence. Such is the duality surrounding Richmond’s second stadium: the Diamond.  

The formal name of this post-industrial area bounded by I-95/64 to the North and the CSX line to the South is Acca Yard. Assumptions the name must be a long-forgotten railroad acronym for something like the “Atlantic Coastal Connection Area” are unfounded.  

According to the Virginia Historical Society, this part of Richmond was once owned by Preston Belvin, a successful furniture manufacturer. As the head of the local Shriners chapter, Belvin named his farm where he raised Arabian racehorses after the ancient Palestinian city of Akka, which is today Acre in Israel. When he sold his farm at the turn of the nineteenth century, the railroad simply kept the eccentric name which still floats above the area — largely ignored — on Google Maps.

Photo via Arthur Ashe Boulevard Initiative/Facebook

Far from being a nonissue, the renaming of the Diamond’s main corridor, the Boulevard, proved to be a three decade long endeavor.  After Arthur Ashe’s passing from HIV/AIDS in 1993, his family and many admirers made multiple attempts to rename the Boulevard in his honor.  The third time was the charm, thanks to a healthy does of white guilt following the blackface revelations of our Commonwealth’s Governor and Attorney General as well as the diligent work of City Councilmember Kim Gray, who introduced the measure and represents the area, yet was relegated to a mere prop at the celebratory ceremonies in favor of a lineup of all male speakers.

Despite the recent revelry now that Richmond has finally dedicated one of its most prominent promenades to a black man — 400 years after the first enslaved Africans were brought to these shores in chains, there is another positive renaming of sorts this area is known for: the Flying Squirrels. In 2008, the Richmond Braves ended 42 years of problematic chanting and chopping the air like fans’ forearms were tomahawks and moved to Gwinnet County, Georgia in a hissyfit after the city’s plans to build a new stadium in Shockoe Bottom collapsed.

Two years later the Flying Squirrels swooped in. Despite their overly gendered mascot duo of Nutzy and Nutasha, the Squirrels’ irreverent approach to America’s national pastime has resonated with Richmonders who seem to enjoy going to a game more as an excuse for a beer and a hotdog than as an opportunity to watch athletics in action. The team consistently fills up two thirds of the roughly 9,000 seats available since large advertising banners began occupying the upper quarter of the arena.  

To chart a future course towards sold out games the Squirrels are following the same playbook as the Kickers: outreach to the relatively untapped markets of potential Latinx and LGBTQ fans. Every Friday home game this season, Richmond’s baseball team has been transforming into Las Ardillas Voladoras (“the Flying Squirrels” in Spanish) in an effort to draw in our region’s booming Latino population.

With Virginia Pride as their ally, tonight the Squirrels hope to knock their queer outreach out of the park with their first-ever Pride Night at the Diamond. Even if the game is no good, this evening’s debut of the 2019 Pride Guide by GayRVA and Virginia Pride means attendees will at least receive some interesting reading material. However, with ticket pre-sales already scraping 4,000, the event looks set to be one of the Squirrels’ biggest nights of the year; similarly, the Kickers’ Pride Night proved to be their second-best attended of the season.

Richmond’s two largest sports arenas have an outsized impact on our city, just as the Kickers and Flying Squirrels play a central role in the cultural branding of the Commonwealth’s capital. The success or failure of these athletic franchises will play a crucial role in the development of the neighborhoods which host them. The increasing popularity of the Kickers has the potential to bring a wave of revitalization to one of the sleepiest swathes of the city — or it could result in rising rents and displacement for Stadium’s overwhelmingly elderly population.  

A deal to relocate ABC’s headquarters to Hanover County could provide the required space for a new ballpark, transforming the Diamond into the mixed-use multi-modal neighborhood Scott’s Addition pretends to be. Or such a deal could simply lead to a bigger ballpark with more impermeable asphalt parking lots, and doom the Diamond to be as dead most days as it is now.  

Whether you attend a game or not, Richmond’s two local sports teams will continue to shape the fabric and culture of our city.

You can support Richmond’s teams by going out to a game. Get your tickets for the Richmond Kickers and the Flying Squirrels today!

Photos by Wyatt Gordon, except where noted

Kicking For Pride: The Richmond Kickers Celebrate Pride Month

Oliver Mendoza | June 13, 2019

Topics: city stadium, Diversity Richmond, health brigade, Pride Night, Prideraiser, Red Army, Richmond kickers

Beginning June with Pride Night at City Stadium and holding a fundraiser for Diversity Richmond throughout the month, the Richmond Kickers are going the extra mile to show their pride.

The Richmond Kickers, Richmond’s sole soccer team, kicked off their first game of June, celebrated as LGBTQ Pride Month, with a special Pride Night event. City Stadium had live music and happy hour drink specials for their match against North Texas SC.

The team and many of its supporters are advocates for social justice and equality, especially in regards to the LGBTQ+ community. The squad came out of the locker room in limited edition Pride-themed warm-up jerseys that were later auctioned off to benefit Health Brigade.

Health Brigade is Virginia’s oldest free and charitable clinic, committed to serving marginalized low-income populations for 50 years. This includes low-income and uninsured transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals, who are able to receive free or greatly reduced-cost transition related health care through the organization..

Charles White, who works with the Richmond Kickers Marketing and Brand Management, said the organization recently got new leadership whose focus is on reaching out to newer demographics in Richmond.

“Part of this new vision, reaching different communities that we haven’t reached before, was a big focus of Pride Night,” White said. According to White, the event on June 1 sold 1,600 presale tickets and 4,500 in total, which qualifies as a good turnout for the Kickers. Going forward from Pride Night, the Kickers hope to continue a tradition of recognition and support for the LGBTQ+ community.

The River City Red Army are a group of the Kickers’ most avid, passionate supporters. While many team supporters can be spotted around town wearing the classic red jersey, or sporting a Kickers bumper sticker on their car, the Red Army goes the extra mile in their dedication to bring a passionate atmosphere to RVA soccer. The Red Army can be spotted at City Stadium in section O, aka “The Red Zone” — beating drums, waving their arms, and chanting for their team.

The passion of the Red Army is unparalleled, and is driven by a belief in diversity and inclusion. This belief is exemplified by their recent Prideraiser for the month of June. In the tradition of crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, Prideraiser is a soccer-focused crowdfunding site that raises money for LGBTQ-related causes.

The Red Army’s rainbow-colored Pride Night smoke bomb. Photo by Suzanne Velasco

This Pride month, the Red Army is partnering with Diversity Richmond to support the local LGBTQ community. For every goal scored by the Richmond Kickers in the month of June, the total amount pledged per goal will be donated to Diversity Richmond. Despite a 3-0 loss at home on Pride Night, the Red Army has still managed to raise nearly $200 per goal, with over 30 different fans contributing.

Richard Hayes, one of the leaders of the Red Army, said they have done fundraising efforts before, but never in this direction. Hayes said the group is unsponsored, and that most of the legwork is done by four or five members. This hasn’t stopped the Red Army from shedding some light on LGBTQ awareness in the city, as well as in the world of soccer and the Richmond Kickers.

“Opening up a discussion is the most important thing. And raising awareness,” Hayes said. They’re doing their part — while the Red Army would normally set off red-colored smoke bombs for the start of games, on Pride Night they set off a rainbow-colored smoke bomb, further demonstrating the love, support and inclusion the Red Army and the Richmond Kickers have for the LGBTQ community.

With over half of June left and three matches remaining, the Red Army still hopes to attract some more pledges. The Kickers have yet to score a goal this month, but even if just one goal is scored, it would be a great help for the Diversity Richmond and the local LGBTQ community. To pledge your support, visit the Red Army’s Prideraiser page.

This Saturday’s game against the Chattanooga Red Wolves is the last remaining June home game for the Kickers, and tickets are still available, ranging in price from $13 to $22. The game starts at 7 PM and takes place at City Stadium, located at 3201 Maplewood Ave. Grab your tickets here, and come out to support the Kickers and Diversity Richmond.

Top Photo via Richmond Kickers Red Army/Prideraiser

Kickers Host Harrisonburg at 25th anniversary season opener this Saturday

RVA Staff | March 23, 2017

Topics: city stadium, community, Harrisburg City Islanders, Richmond kickers, RVA soccer

RICHMOND, VA – (Thursday, March 23, 2017) – The Richmond Kickers, the oldest continuously operating professional soccer club in the country, open their 25th Anniversary season this Saturday, March 25 when they host the Harrisburg City Islanders at 5:00 p.m.

The pre-game party, presented by Woodfin, starts at 3:30 p.m. with live 90’s music by Supervixen, RVA food trucks, over 20 craft beers on tap and free commemorative replica jersey t-shirts for the first 500 fans. As part of a landmark TV deal with WTVR CBS 6, the match will be broadcast live on the station’s main 6.1 channel, Comcast 9 and 212 and Verizon FiOS 6 and 506 as well as DirecTV. Tickets are on sale now at RichmondKickers.com.

With a rivalry spanning more than a decade, the Kickers hold an all-time series record of 18-5-8 over the City Islanders. Sweeping the two-game series last year, the Kickers edged Harrisburg 3-1 to open the 2016 campaign before earning a 3-0 victory on the road in July.

Established in 1993, the Kickers embark on their 25th season this weekend. The club finished with an overall record of 13-10-10 and qualified for postseason play for the 13th consecutive time in 2016 before a short-handed side suffered a heartbreaking 2-0 overtime loss to Louisville City FC in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Saturday’s match kicks off a three-game series between the two clubs, with the City Islanders returning to City Stadium on Saturday, May 13 before the rivals swap home field advantage on July 15. Following this weekend’s home opener, the Kickers travel to defending USL Champions New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, April 1 before returning to City Stadium to host Louisville City FC and the second annual Carytown Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, April 8.

Players to Watch
Kickers: Defender Braeden Troyer (#31) was the only player to appear in all 33 matches with the Kickers in 2016, amassing 2,860 minutes during his sophomore season. The versatile player split time between the midfield and the back line, anchoring the third best defensive unit in the league that allowed just 26 goals in 30 regular season games. Nineteen-year old midfielder Luiz Fernando (#71) earned 10 starts in 25 matches last season, contributing two goals and an assist before departing midseason to tend to family business in his native Sao Paulo, Brazil. Joining the renowned Brazilian club S.C. Corinthians as a homegrown youth player, he was a starter with the Corinthians U20s and also featured regularly with AA Flamengo before signing with the Kickers. Forward Oliver Minatel (#9) signed with the Kickers in December following an extensive career in Brazil, Holland and Portugal. The Brazilian newcomer most recently spent one season with NASL side Puerto Rico FC following a stint with Ottawa Fury FC where he led the team with seven goals in 22 appearances en route to the NASL Fall Season title in 2015.

City Islanders: Veteran goalkeeper Nick Nobel (#1) returns for his sixth season with the City Islanders as the club record holder for wins, career saves, matches played by a goalkeeper, minutes played by a goalkeeper and career shutouts. Making 121 appearances in Harrisburg over five seasons, he helped lead the City Islanders to the 2014 USL Championship match. A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, newcomer Travis Brent (#4) is set to make his USL debut this season after beginning his career in the Netherlands. A Marshall University product, the defender earned Conference USA Third Team honors after appearing in all 67 matches over four years. Veteran Nigerian National Team midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi (#12) signed with the City Islanders earlier this month, following a prolific career in the Nigerian Premier League. He most recently spent the 2015 season with the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer where he made seven appearances and tallied one assist.

DRIVE SMART Designated Driver Program
In a continued effort to foster an authentic atmosphere and safe fan experience at City Stadium, the Richmond Kickers are proud to partner with DRIVE SMART Virginia to kick off the DRIVE SMART Designated Driver Program at the club’s 25th Anniversary Home Opener on Saturday, March 25.

Kickers fans who make the DRIVE SMART Designated Driver pledge at City Stadium will receive one soft drink or water and a special gift from DRIVE SMART Virginia. Designated Drivers will also be entered to win a VIP Experience at a Kickers home game in September.

Founded in 1995, DRIVE SMART Virginia is a non-profit organization charged with raising awareness and changing behavior in order to improve the safety of the roadways of the Commonwealth.

Richmond Kickers Season Tickets
Experience the passion, excitement and authentic atmosphere at City Stadium when the Richmond Kickers 25th Anniversary season kicks off this spring. Richmond Kickers Season Ticket Benefits include 45-60% off match day prices, exclusive invitations, merchandise discounts and VIP benefits. Guaranteed to see all regular season, US Open Cup and playoff games for the best possible pricing, Kickers Season Tickets are a fantastic way to get together with friends, family and colleagues for an unforgettable experience – order now.

Tickets for this Saturday’s home opener $12-$20 and can be purchased here. Doors at 3:30 pm, game at 5 pm.

Kickers smash Toronto FC at home game over the weekend

Brad Kutner | July 25, 2016

Topics: city stadium, Kickers, Richmond soccer

The Richmond Kickers (8-6-5) defeated Toronto FC II (5-12-5) 3-0 at City Stadium on Saturday night. Richmond have now picked up three wins in their last three matches.
[Read more…] about Kickers smash Toronto FC at home game over the weekend

English Premier League’s Swasea City takes on the RVA Kickers this weekend

Brad Kutner | July 11, 2016

Topics: city stadium, English Premier League Soccer, Richmond kickers

This Saturday, July 16th, the Richmond Kickers welcome back the English Premier League to host Swansea City at City Stadium, in what is sure to be one of the most exciting games of the season.
[Read more…] about English Premier League’s Swasea City takes on the RVA Kickers this weekend

RVA Kickers and Bethlehem deadlocked in a scoreless draw at City Stadium this weekend

Brad Kutner | June 27, 2016

Topics: city stadium, Richmond kickers, RVA soccer

RICHMOND, VA – (Saturday, June 25, 2016) – The Richmond Kickers (5-5-5) and the Bethlehem Steel FC (4-4-6) played out a 0-0 draw at City Stadium on Saturday night.
[Read more…] about RVA Kickers and Bethlehem deadlocked in a scoreless draw at City Stadium this weekend

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