The spider gets a makeover

NewSpiderBye-bye, Spidey; hello, WebstUR.

Last week the University of Richmond unveiled the design and name for its new spider mascot: a muscular, red-eyed spider named WebstUR.

The new mascot is a result of a year-long design process that allowed students, faculty and alumni to vote on three potential looks for the spider.

According to the UR website: “Meet WebstUR, an eight-legged spider with removable webbing and flashing LED eyes. WebstUR has a custom-designed, high-powered web shooter that can launch t-shirts and toys to the highest seats in Robins Stadium and The Robins Center, as well as uniforms to match the basketball and football teams and a chest plate for street attire.”

Of the almost 6,000 votes that were cast, 51 percent were for WebstUR.

There’s an interesting reason why a new name was a good idea, UR said upon announcing the change.

“During the redesign process, the University also learned that the name ‘Spidey’ — an informal name used in the past — is trademarked by Marvel Comics.”

WebstUR will be revealed incarnate June 4, the school said.

NewSpiderBye-bye, Spidey; hello, WebstUR.

Last week the University of Richmond unveiled the design and name for its new spider mascot: a muscular, red-eyed spider named WebstUR.

The new mascot is a result of a year-long design process that allowed students, faculty and alumni to vote on three potential looks for the spider.

According to the UR website: “Meet WebstUR, an eight-legged spider with removable webbing and flashing LED eyes. WebstUR has a custom-designed, high-powered web shooter that can launch t-shirts and toys to the highest seats in Robins Stadium and The Robins Center, as well as uniforms to match the basketball and football teams and a chest plate for street attire.”

Of the almost 6,000 votes that were cast, 51 percent were for WebstUR.

There’s an interesting reason why a new name was a good idea, UR said upon announcing the change.

“During the redesign process, the University also learned that the name ‘Spidey’ — an informal name used in the past — is trademarked by Marvel Comics.”

WebstUR will be revealed incarnate June 4, the school said.

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Barry D.
Barry D.
12 years ago

Have to say, not a fan, reminds me of “Poochie” from The Simpsons. By the way, isn’t the term “eight-legged spider” redundant?

Scott B
Scott B
12 years ago

The previous mascot costume was definitely showing its age. I’m looking forward to seeing pics of the new costume. WebstUR is a good choice for the name (I guess Emmanuel Lewis wasn’t available to replace the costume), but I think I’ll still call him ‘Spidey’ when I don’t see any Marvel Comics lawyers around. RE: redundant “eight-legged spider.” Yes it is redundant biologically speaking, but UR also has a huge inflatable spider mascot that only has four legs. It looks more like ‘Atom Ant’ (oops, I guess that’s trademarked too) than a spider, but in the world of mascot costumes,… Read more »

Bill R
Bill R
12 years ago

I’ve never liked the spider as a team name/image. The connotation of a spider is a small ugly little things that you immediately step on, that are easy to eliminate. They just don’t compete with big powerful things like bears, lions, etc. If you named not associated with violence,say, a lacrosse team, something like the Antelopes, I could see it; they’re associated with speed, agility, etc. Let’s start a new era: how about the Richmond Raiders?