College Athletics
Rider's Focht Retiring after 35 years
LAWRENCEVILLE—The Rider University Department of Athletics has announced that Bud Focht, Director of Athletic Communications, is retiring after more than 35 years of service to the University.
Focht's last day at Rider is Monday, October 3.
“On behalf of the entire Rider Athletics family, I would like to thank Bud for his 35 years of dedicated service in capturing and promoting the accomplishments of our student-athletes and coaches,” said Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum. “Individuals like Bud are few and far between as he handled tremendous responsibility with class, compassion, professionalism and enthusiasm over a long period of time. He will be missed by all.”
Focht is best known for his feature story writing with his efforts getting regular coverage in The Times of Trenton, Star Ledger, and The Trentonian with additional stories picked up by ESPN, channels 3, 6 and 10 in the Philadelphia area, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated among other news outlets. Focht was a regular contributor to Rider's Alumni Magazine and instrumental in researching nominations for the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame. Additionally, Focht's great knowledge of Rider's athletics history has always proven to be an asset in promoting Bronc student-athletes and coaches throughout the years.
In his time at Rider, Focht helped oversee the advancement of public relations and the coverage of the student-athletes into an operation that now includes a robust website, GoBroncs.com which includes LiveStats coverage for men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, field hockey, volleyball and men's and women's soccer. During his tenure, BroncVision the video portal of Rider Athletics, was established and provides in-game coverage for men's and women's soccer, field hockey, volleyball and men's and women's basketball.
Always quick with a joke, but yet the utmost professional, Focht has been a mainstay at the University for the last 35 years and will be greatly missed.
