Jim Merritt - new associate AD for basketball development

[SFspidur]

In this new role, Merritt will be charged with helping the Spider men's and women's basketball programs develop the resources required to continue to compete at a championship level in the Atlantic 10. That includes acquiring the capital to support direct payments to men's and women's basketball student-athletes, which Richmond announced it would begin this season following the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement.

Merritt Returns to Richmond as Associate AD for Basketball Development - University of Richmond Athletics

RICHMOND, Va. — Jim Merritt, a former Spider student-athlete who served Richmond Athletics in a variety of leadership roles in advancement and marketing for ...

richmondspiders.com

 

[Section9_RowD]

Merritt Returns to Richmond as Associate AD for Basketball Development - University of Richmond Athletics

RICHMOND, Va. — Jim Merritt, a former Spider student-athlete who served Richmond Athletics in a variety of leadership roles in advancement and marketing for ...

richmondspiders.com

Positive development for sure .. Chatted with him a fair amount in Buffalo at a function near the arena.

 

[MDSpider8]

Really happy to see this - glad we're finally hiring someone who can relate to the "GM" role that so many other leading programs have added recently. I wonder if he'll be involved in roster management/recruiting or if this is strictly revenue management and fundraising related. Regardless, a definite step in the right direction.

 

[spiders13]

He's no Steph Curry, but this is a positive develepment for sure!

 

[Mojo-Spider]

Really happy to see this - glad we're finally hiring someone who can relate to the "GM" role that so many other leading programs have added recently. I wonder if he'll be involved in roster management/recruiting or if this is strictly revenue management and fundraising related. Regardless, a definite step in the right direction.

can he help with the non conference scheduling?

Go Spiders!

 

[Spider17]

can he help with the non conference scheduling?

Go Spiders!

Whatever happened to Joe Lunardi? Guess we didn’t think his services were good enough anymore.

 

[97spiderfan]

This needed to happen. Hopefully, this guy can inject a little life into our MBB program.

 

[*23*]

Looks like he has been out in Malibu last 3 years. Maybe he can pull in a few of the billionares wandering around there, and not be so dependent on PQ. Hopefully this helps.

 

[Spider17]

I’m glad that we are doing this. All the top D1 programs are and it was imperative that we stay on track with everyone else who takes basketball seriously.

Does anyone know much about this new hire? What do we think his day-to-day role will look like? Will he help with only NIL fundraising or also other things like scheduling? Do we think he will be good at his job and elevate this program? A lot of questions, but it’s because I don’t know much about who Jim is or what the AD to basketball development role entails.

 

[*23*]

Meanwhile while we announce this, VCU is still out working. Not excited about this until we see results.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1962549505053647362

 

[URFan1]

I’m glad that we are doing this. All the top D1 programs are and it was imperative that we stay on track with everyone else who takes basketball seriously.

Does anyone know much about this new hire? What do we think his day-to-day role will look like? Will he help with only NIL fundraising or also other things like scheduling? Do we think he will be good at his job and elevate this program? A lot of questions, but it’s because I don’t know much about who Jim is or what the AD to basketball development role entails.

My guess is relationship building and fund raising only.

 

[Brown Recluse]

Good to see us branch out and bring in some fresh, new ideas from a new perspective and someone with no connections to UR and ... nevermind.

 

[Spider17]

Good to see us branch out and bring in some fresh, new ideas from a new perspective and someone with no connections to UR and ... nevermind.

I get where you’re coming from, but I think in this case, in house is not inherently a worse thing. If his role is “relationship building” and “fund raising” only like URFan1 says above, then maybe having someone who has been at UR for a long time, presumably with established connections might make the most sense for this job. Though, having a new and fresh perspective can be helpful too, I’m not arguing against that.

 

[Spider17]

Davidson has an 8 figure fund. You know Dayton, VCU, and SLU will have very competitive funds as well. I can see Saint Joes and URI being competitive too. Bottom line, is we’re going to need to be close to 8 figures as well. Not to say, every year 8 figures, no way. But having an 8 figure fund for our men’s and women’s team to pull from for however many years before replenishing it. Jim has his work cut out for him.