Richmond women’s basketball launches “Operation: Code Red” to fill Robins Center

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)-- The Richmond Spiders women's basketball team is launching "Operation: Code Red," an initiative to draw the largest crowd the Robins Center has seen in 25 years for Sunday's matchup against VCU.

After back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances and A-10 regular season championships, the Spiders are in an era of unprecedented success.

The mission of "Operation: Code Red" is to bring five thousand fans to the Robins Center to showcase the rivalry between the two programs and to spotlight women's basketball in the community.

The two schools are separated by only two miles, and Spiders senior forward Maggie Doogan says the rivalry runs deep.

"With VCU coming up, it's a it's a hometown rivalry and they're right down the street," Doogan said. "So I feel like they're going to bring some fans too. But you know, with with it being at Robins and on our home floor, we're going to take a lot of pride and try to defend the home floor."

As big as the impact is that their fans make while they are on the court, Spiders guard Rachel Ullstrom says sometimes it is fans’ support after the buzzer that really hits home.

"It's just so amazing to see the support even from campers that come to our games and afterwards they're always talking to us and just trying to get to know us on a personal level, like that just shows it's bigger than basketball," Ullstrom said.

With Richmond and VCU both being in the A-10 conference, they have met 94 times in women's basketball history. The all-time series is tied 47-47, meaning whichever team wins on Sunday will take the lead.

Spiders head coach Aaron Roussell says there would be no better time for the robins center to be a full house.

"I think we've created a great atmosphere. I think our players feed off of that," Coach Roussell said. "Hey man, if there's some VCU fans that want to come over here to it as well, let's make it an awesome atmosphere. I think this is a basketball town, a basketball community. And if we can get this place rocking, I think that says a lot about this program. I think it says a lot about basketball in Richmond with both programs as well."

Tipoff between the Spiders and the Rams and the launch of Operation: Code Red is set for Sunday, Jan. 18 at noon.