Lanier tells defending champion Spiders to “continually improve”

University of Richmond football coach Mike London Tuesday called an expert witness to address sustained excellence.

Willie Lanier spoke to the Spiders.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer and 1963 graduate of Maggie Walker High School told the Spiders the performance level that led to the program's 2008 Football Championship Subdivision title should be the baseline from which they operate this season.

"Figure out how to continually improve," said Lanier, 64 and the president of The Lanier Group, a Richmond-based firm that seeks business acquisition opportunities. "Create your own measurables. Improve individually, and then it comes to the team."

Lanier also stressed the importance of attention to detail. He drew only five penalties during an 11-season professional career (1967-77) that included eight all-league selections.

"It's managing the process," said Lanier, a former senior vice president for Wheat First Union. "And you can apply that to any business situation."

Lanier for years has been friends with Beverly Bradshaw, the administrative coordinator for the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond. When Bradshaw recently mentioned to Lanier that he should meet London, Lanier concurred.

None of the Spiders was alive during the career of Lanier, a Morgan State alumnus who earned the nickname "Contact" for his highly physical approach to the sport as a 6-1 245-pounder. So before Lanier's address, London introduced his players to Lanier via video. London asked UR's staff to put together some highlight clips of Lanier's days as a Kansas City Chief.

The Spiders "saw [Lanier] play middle linebacker, saw him knock people down, saw NFL Films talk about how tough he was, how smart he was," London said.

Lanier doesn't frequently speak to groups. But this opportunity seemed right to him.

"At this time of the year, what else are you supposed to do but be close to football some way?" he said.

. . .

Six UR players have been named to the College Sporting News preseason All-America team. Offensive lineman Matt McCracken, linebacker Eric McBride and defensive back Justin Rogers were first-team selections. Offensive lineman Drew Lachenmayer and kicker Andrew Howard were second-team choices. Quarterback Eric Ward was named to the third team.

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .