Dear Rider Community:
As we all know, these continue to be unprecedented times for collegiate athletics. That being said, I want to once again acknowledge the impact that COVID-19 has had on our student-athletes and coaches as seasons and tournaments being cancelled was incredibly heartbreaking for everyone. The impact of the cancellations was even more significant for our seniors who had their athletic careers ended abruptly. To each and every one of them, especially the senior student-athletes on our spring sports teams who had barely started competing, I extend my heartfelt thanks for your dedication to your sport and pride in representing Rider University.
Recognizing that we are still in the midst of this global health crisis, I thought sharing some of the positive news regarding what was shaping up to be one of the best years in the history of Rider Athletics might be a welcome distraction for a few moments. For example, we had several coaches win Coach of the Year honors, student-athletes win individual awards, programs with victories over high level teams like Penn State, Xavier, Georgetown, Minnesota, Virginia, Maryland and Duke, our men's and women's basketball teams went a combined 23-2 at home in Alumni Gym, men's swimming & diving won its ninth consecutive MAAC Championship, women's indoor track & field won its first conference title in 13 years and women's basketball senior Stella Johnson was recently picked 29th overall in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
For the second year, we self-produced content for ESPN3 and ESPN+ and utilized our state-of-the-art production trailer to air 43 contests throughout the fall and winter seasons on those two networks. Additionally, we livestreamed 21 other events on BroncVision via our website and had three home basketball games air on ESPNU. Meanwhile, at the time of the cancellation of the spring sports seasons, Rider was in first place overall in the Commissioner's Cup which is awarded annually by the MAAC based on the accumulation of points for men's and women's sports throughout the year.
Those are just a few of the amazing highlights our programs and the department realized during the 2019-20 seasons. The newsletter link below outlines even more accomplishments and I hope you'll take some time to read it as we are extremely proud of our Broncs and all they achieved in their respective sports, the classroom and the community.
-- 2019-20 Newsletter – (PDF)
I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge Wayne '72 and Jill '72 Canastra for their continued support of Rider Athletics. Their recent generous gift, the largest secured in Rider Athletics history, contributed toward multiple projects on campus, including the renovation of the facade of the Canastra Health and Sports Center and the Center's Richard A. Coppola Pool.
We're also thankful for the many generous track and field alumni donors and the tireless efforts of Anita Brady, wife of former head coach Mike Brady, who helped us complete the construction of the new Michael P. Brady Track and Field building and pavilion on campus and create an endowed scholarship that will support track and field student-athletes in perpetuity.
In addition, we have other facility projects about to get underway including the Alumni Gym bleacher seating project, thanks to the generosity of Chuck and Isabel Baker, and the replacement of the turf at Ben Cohen Field along with a new branded fence wrap enclosing that facility. We think the enhancements to all those facilities will positively impact the student-athlete and fan experience at events moving forward.
In closing, while the 2019-20 sports seasons ended abruptly, we still have much of which to be proud. As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, it is my hope that as a community of resilient Broncs we will continue to support one another. I anxiously await returning to competition as much as you do. Until then, be well, stay safe and as always, Go Broncs!
Sincerely,
Don Harnum
Director of Athletics
