WebstUR has been listed among the best mascots in the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision and remains the only college spider mascot in the U.S. Just what is his origin story?  

In 1894, a lanky Richmond pitcher inspired a local writer to describe the athlete as taking “to the field…as a spider in a web,” and a new University representative was hatched. Initially, the new mascot was called Spidey, but because Marvel Entertainment had trademarked that name, it was necessary for a rename to WebstUR.

“Many people, especially when we are out in the community, still call him Spidey,” said Melissa Hassen, assistant athletics director for gameday experience & marketing services.

WebstUR as we know him today was first introduced in 2011 during Reunion Weekend. When a Collegian survey asked about redesigning the mascot, the majority of the 6,000 votes cast favored a “tough or realistic spider.” A muscular, mean-mugging mascot replaced the old one, who students said looked too friendly.

In the redesign, WebstUR received a uniform and a sweatband that fans could mimic at sporting events. The new Spider also features a special web-shooter that launches t-shirts and giveaways into the stands.

The makeover paid off. In 2018, USA Today voted WebstUR as one of the scariest mascots in college football. “WebstUR is the terrifying arachnoid that serves as the mascot for the Richmond Spiders,” the article read. But if you ask alum Christina Currie, she’ll tell you that he’s more of a cuddle bug.

Will the real WebstUR please stand up

Last May, Spiders around the world found out what Currie had been keeping a secret for four years. On Instagram, the senior revealed that she was the person dressed as UR’s beloved mascot. “My family knew, and my roommates knew. But other than that, I didn't tell anyone else because I had this idea that it would be cool to do a big reveal at graduation and surprise everyone,” said Currie.

Currie channeled the spirit of WebstUR, waving hello and giving hugs to UR fans since her first year on campus. “It was always just so much fun to be out there and to be walking around before the game, interacting with fans. All the little kids love WebstUR,” she said.

WebstUR attends about 100 games and events each year. How does one WebstUR do it all?  The reality is that there is more than one WebstUR. This year, three students and one alum suit up as the UR mascot. They share two identical costumes between them.

Currie compared wearing the costume to putting on a massive snow suit, with fur on the outside and lots of padding inside. “It definitely was very hot in there, but I got used to it after the first few times,” she said, noting that it was very hard to see out of the costume character’s head.

Currie admitted that she also didn’t attempt many cartwheels in uniform. “I didn't do too many of them because I was worried the head would come off. I feel like that's Mascot 101. Don't ever let the head come off,” she said.

Mascot prerequisites

Growing up, Currie loved watching college mascots at events. During her first year at UR, she attended many football and basketball games. In the spring of her first year, the men’s basketball team defeated the No. 1 seeded Davidson to win the A-10 Championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament.

“There was so much excitement and spirit around campus. It seemed really cool to be a part of that. I wondered if I could be the mascot,” she said, worried because she didn’t have much cheerleading or dance experience.

As it turned out, there were no tryouts. She shared her interest with Athletics in the spring of her  first year. “They told me, ‘We want anyone who’s interested. You don’t have to have any prior experience. If you want to do it, we want you to be here,'” Currie said.

Currie said that portraying WebstUR made her more outgoing and comfortable approaching people and talking with them.

“I just had so much fun, putting on my alter ego and being WebstUR,” she said.