Turf Field to Be Named Friday Night
Last year, Rider University enjoyed its new home-field advantage with the addition of a lighted turf field for men's and women's soccer and field hockey. Now, just a year after its nighttime debut, the field's name will be unveiled.
On Friday, September 16, the entire University community is invited to attend the dedication ceremony of the Ben Cohen Field, located in the back of the Lawrenceville campus. The ceremony will begin at 6:45pm, prior to the 7pm women's soccer game between Rider and Temple.
Key donors who supported the turf-field project will also be honored during a barbecue at the residence of President Mordechai Rozanski and his wife, Bonnie, earlier in the evening.
Benjamin Cohen '10, who received a bachelor's degree in Communication, is the son of David and Rhonda Cohen, who donated to the turf field in his honor. David Cohen, who received an Honorary Doctor of Laws at Rider's Undergraduate Commencement ceremony in 2010, is an executive vice president of Comcast Corporation.
"The new turf field facility has been a tremendous benefit for our student-athletes and coaches in men's and women's soccer and field hockey," said Don Harnum, Director of Athletics. "Ben Cohen is a true fan and supporter of all of our programs and we greatly appreciate him and his family's generosity in naming the field."
During his time at Rider, Ben was a loyal supporter of Rider athletics who attended countless games.
"Athletics played a significant role in Ben's experience at Rider," explained Steve Rudenstein, Associate Director of Major Gifts for Athletics, who is coordinating the dedication ceremony. "We are excited to celebrate this special night with Ben and his family."
The ceremony will take place before the 4-2-1 Broncs host the 2-4 Temple Owls.
The Broncs have won two in a row and four of their last five games. Temple has lost its last four contests.
Rider and Temple have only met once in women's soccer, a 5-1 Bronc victory in 2004.
This season Rider is led by junior Abi Cottam and sophomore Jen Meier, the top two scorers in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Cottam has five goals and 12 points while Meier had three goals. Cottam is also seventh in the nation in game-winning goals with three. Six players are tied for first in Division I with four game-winners.
Following Friday night's game the Broncs return to the Ben Cohen Field Sunday to host Drexel at 1pm.
-ru-
