LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Rider University Athletic Director Don Harnum has announced the hiring of BJ Merriam as Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance/Internal Operations. In this position, Merriam oversees compliance and academic support, while also serving as the departmental liaison to several critical areas, including Financial Aid, the Registrar, Residence Life, and the Office of Community Standards. He also serves as the sport administrator for Rider's men's and women's soccer, cross country/track and field and baseball programs.

"I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity to join Rider University Athletics," said Merriam. "Growing up in New Jersey and working at the MAAC office, I always knew that Rider was a very special place. Additionally, I would like to thank the search committee for their confidence in me to carry out the Rider Athletics mission. Don is a proven leader in collegiate athletics, and I'm very excited to help him drive academic and athletic excellence. Moreover, I look forward to adding value to the Rider campus community through my experiences as a former student-athlete and coach."

Merriam comes to Rider following more than three years at Rutgers University as Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Compliance. In his role, Merriam managed all facets of the NCAA compliance program for select teams, served as the secondary sports administrator for men's soccer while overseeing the Office of Athletics Compliance's intern program. He also acted as liaison to Rutgers Athletics Fundraising (R Fund) and Facilities and Operations. During his tenure, he was a member of the Rutgers Athletics DEI and New Hire Committees.

"This is a vital position within the department and I am confident we found the right fit in BJ Merriam," said Harnum. "He has years of experience to go along with his eagerness to learn and grow as an athletic administrator."

No stranger to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Merriam served as the MAAC's Director of Compliance & Student-Athlete Services for two years. Merriam has gained additional experience in collegiate athletics at Penn and Bucknell. Prior to his time in administration, Merriam was an Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Susquehanna University, where his teams won back to back conference championships.
Merriam is a member of the National Association of Athletic Compliance (NAAC) and previously served on the NCAA Initial Eligibility Waiver Committee. 

Merriam was a four-year men's soccer student-athlete at Susquehanna where he earned a B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in economics. Upon graduation, Merriam received his M.S. in education with an emphasis in college student personnel from Bucknell. He's currently pursuing his PsyD. In organizational and industrial psychology from Rutgers.