The University of Richmond has accepted an invitation for its football team to join the Patriot League, the institution announced Tuesday. This move comes after the Spiders’ successful stint in the Colonial Athletic Association, with the transition expected to occur ahead of the 2025 season.

The decision follows a thorough review initiated by Richmond after the 2023 football season, prompted by ongoing changes in the national landscape of Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conferences.

Richmond will become the eighth football member of the Patriot League, joining Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh. The Spiders are the first school to enter or exit the Patriot League football conference since 2004.

“This is a big change for Spider Football, but our goals will stay the same: win conference championships, advance in the FCS Playoffs, and compete for national championships,” Spider Football Head Coach Russ Huesman said. “The Patriot League is full of great football programs and great schools, and I think it will be a great fit for Richmond.”

Richmond’s move to the Patriot League marks the first conference affiliation change for the team since 2007. The team previously competed in the Atlantic 10, Southern Conference and Yankee Conference.

Richmond football boasts an impressive record with 13 conference championships, 13 NCAA Playoffs appearances, and the 2008 National Championship, marking the University’s first NCAA title.