Sept. 8, 2008

University of Richmond, Va. - Head coach Michael Shafer, junior Kara Powell and sophomore Crystal Goring all recently spoke at the Gayton Elementary School No Bullies Allowed Rally.

The annual rally is a proactive approach by teachers and school administrators to prevent bullying with a year-long emphasis on bully awareness and strategies for coping and prevention.

The Spiders were asked to return after speaking with the school last year.

"It was a great honor to speak at Gayton Elementary to kick off their NBA Spirit Rally," said Shafer. "We had a great time emphasizing that there is no place for bullying in schools or on teams. I thought the students were really receptive to the presentation. They showed a great deal of enthusiasm for us! It is always good to get out in the community and share some of our experiences with others."

First practice for the Spiders commences on October 17th.