By Adriana King

Fleming teaching Middle School. Photo credit: Collegiate School.

The Fleming family has been intertwined with Collegiate for many generations. Rives Fleming III (‘83), a beloved coach, mentor, and teacher, began his time at Collegiate as a student in 1971 and has been an integral part of the community ever since. Fleming was born in 1965 and grew up in Richmond, and his mother Mary Pease Fleming had taught music at Collegiate in the 1950s. After his time as a student, he attended the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of the Arts in English. Soon after earning his degree, Fleming was offered his first teaching job through connections with an old friend, Collegiate’s recently-departed Interim Head of School Billy Peebles. Peebles was teaching at Powhatan School, located outside of Winchester in Boyce, Virginia, and offered Fleming a job directly after college. 

Fleming worked there for two years, teaching math, and physical education, and as the K-8 computer coordinator. Shortly after, Fleming was fortunately offered a teaching position at Collegiate, where he was eventually able to work alongside his sister Kate Parthemos (‘71) and now-wife Suzanne.

Parthemos worked at Collegiate for 30 years before retiring in 2022. She had a significant impact on the Collegiate community while serving as a Lower School receptionist, Cougar Shop manager, and Collegiate’s Fine Arts assistant throughout her career.

Suzanne works as Collegiate’s Director of Service Learning and Civic Engagement, leading the Responsible Citizenship department. According to the Collegiate website, this department strives to “promote civic literacy, address issues, and build community both locally and globally through action by individual and collective citizens.” The Fleming family proceeded to send their four children to Collegiate: Rives (‘14), Ellie (‘16), Katie (‘18), and Mary Grace (‘20). 

Throughout Fleming’s 36 years of teaching and coaching at Collegiate, he has watched the past gradually shift into the modern-day. When he was a student, Fleming attended Collegiate School for Boys, prior to the unity of the girls and boys schools. Because of the gender separation, Fleming reflected on how Collegiate feels “like a bigger school now.” He continued, “I was petrified of girls, so I didn’t really mix with them, which made Collegiate feel much smaller.” According to Fleming, there have been significant changes at the school, but almost everything has been an improvement. 

Although there have been adjustments, Fleming believes that a few aspects of Collegiate’s culture have never wavered: the desire to succeed and the community. Fleming observes that “at Collegiate, we are always pushing ourselves to be better.” He explained that through his experience teaching and coaching, there is a mutual understanding between students and teachers to try their best and put their best foot forward. He expanded by noting that the community has stayed consistent throughout his time at Collegiate: “It is just such a great community, and I think that has always been at the heart of it and everything we do.”

Although Fleming was involved with various extracurriculars as a student, including The Match, his favorite hobby was sports. Fleming was a committed athlete and a consistent member of the cross-country team throughout his time as a student. Despite trying a variety of sports, such as tennis, baseball, lacrosse, and basketball, Fleming began running cross country to impress his coach, retired Middle School teacher and long-time running coach Weldon Bradshaw: “Mr. Bradshaw was going to be my basketball coach, and I wanted to impress him before the season, but it truly transformed my life, and now I have been running for 46 years.” Throughout college, Fleming continued his athletic career being a committed intramural athlete at UVA, practicing many hours each day and playing three seasons of intramural sports.

Although Fleming was unsure of his future career when he left for college, it didn’t take long for him to find his interest. While pursuing teaching, he was pleasantly surprised by how passionate he became. Fleming described that as a result of specific teachers’ and coaches’ effect on him growing up, he desired to have a similar impact: “I always enjoyed working with kids, and knowing the influence some teachers had on me, I felt like it was something I would enjoy.” When Fleming accepted his position at Collegiate, he became a Middle School English, math, and reading teacher for girls and boys. 

The girls varsity basketball team celebrating Fleming’s 300th win as a coach in 2023. Photo credit: Adriana King.

As soon as Fleming arrived, he became a three-season coach. From the beginning, Fleming coached cross country and basketball, eventually becoming the varsity girls basketball coach, which he did for 27 years until the 2022-23 season. He was celebrated in January 2023 for winning over 300 games while coaching the team. In the spring, Fleming coached lacrosse for about 17 years before moving to JV girls softball. This past winter, he began coaching the Cub basketball girls green team, consisting of 7th to 8th Graders. Fleming reflected on this experience positively: “I had to adjust my expectations to a different level, but it was super fun and satisfying to teach different skills to different kids.”

In his last few years of Upper School, Fleming became a student assistant coach for the boys basketball team alongside Bradshaw. Fleming recalls that it was those types of experiences “that made me know I wanted to be a teacher and coach.” Being a part of a team, whether playing in the games or not, provides a space for Fleming to be competitive and challenged. Coaching an assortment of teams has given Fleming the opportunity to connect and build relationships with students that he wouldn’t be able to build otherwise. He “loves seeing the kids outside of the classroom and seeing them pursue something they are passionate about.” 

Through various sports camps growing up and eventually, as a player on the girls varsity basketball team, Fleming was a coach and mentor of mine for about 12 years. I can attest that he brings passion and enthusiasm into his coaching. He creates a comfortable and supportive environment for his athletes, allowing each individual to learn more about sports, teamwork, and also themselves. Fleming emphasizes the importance of attitude and effort, pushing each player to reach their full potential and develop fresh life skills. Before basketball tryouts had even begun, Fleming and the captains of the team began instilling a theme for the season. The theme encapsulated the importance of hard work and dedication to better support yourself and your team. By the end of the season, Fleming was just as passionate about teamwork as he was in the beginning. The constant emphasis on effort pushed his players each day to come onto the court and try their best, no matter what. 

Ever since he began running cross country at Collegiate, Fleming has found immense joy in running. When he was growing up, running was “the new fad,” and it quickly became a newfound passion of his, as he continued his running career throughout high school and college. As time progressed, he became more interested in long-distance running, ultimately leading to completing his first two marathons in his 20s. 

Fleming coaching the girls varsity basketball team during a game. Photo credit: Maggie Bowman.

After taking a short break, Fleming resumed his training by joining SportsBackers, which, according to their website, is “designed to motivate and guide you as you prepare for the Richmond Marathon, with a comprehensive 23-week training plan, expert coaches, and a supportive group of teammates cheering you on every step of the way.” As a result of his intense training, Fleming has run an extraordinary total of 11 marathons, attempting to complete two per year. Additionally, Fleming has qualified for the highly competitive Boston Marathon in three separate years including 2021, 2022, and 2023, competing against the most talented runners in his division. 

Fleming describes running as a “happy place… it makes me feel good and helps me clear my head. It helps me be a better teacher, better parent, and a better family person.” Furthermore, running has guided Fleming to recognize the importance of spending time outside. His love for running served as a catalyst for him to dive deeper into the impact of exercise and continues to provide a space for him to incorporate his passion for sports into his everyday life. Fleming now works as a coach for SportsBackers, where he helps individuals of all ages train to compete in marathons, combining his love for coaching with his love for running. 

Fleming continues to serve as a mentor, coach, and teacher to countless students and athletes. Through his authenticity, enthusiasm, support, and patience, he is able to build strong relationships with individuals across the Collegiate community.