LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's basketball team met with the first President of the Women's National Basketball Association, Val Ackerman, on Thursday, October 15.
 
As a part of the Gail Bierenbaum Leadership Council Signature Event, members of the team along with others from the greater student body were able to sit in on a presentation by Ackerman on her collegiate and professional basketball career, her law career, her leadership during the founding of the WNBA, and her tenure as Commissioner of the Big East Conference.
 
"It was a great opportunity for our team to hear from Val Ackerman and learn from someone who has had such a significant impact on women's basketball," Head Coach Jackie Hartzell said. "Experiences like this allow our players to grow beyond the court, make valuable connections, and gain perspective on the opportunities available to them through this game. I'm glad they had the chance to be part of it."
 
"Our signature event showed what Gail Bierenbaum Leadership Council is all about, it is a community of diverse, accomplished students and alumni who champion leadership, mentorship, and philanthropy. Val's generosity with her time and her words made it a night none of us will forget," Mary Cherepko, Program Coordinator of Gail Bierenbaum Leadership Council said. "Val reminded us that there is not a lot of traffic on the extra mile. She spoke about leadership, resilience, and lifting up others as we rise. She took the time to talk with every student who attended and made them feel seen."
 
After the presentation, members of the team were able to join in conversation with Ackerman about the founding of the WNBA as well as the landscape of women's athletics and collegiate sports leadership.
 
"It was really important for us to meet and actually speak to her because of how big it is for women's sports, especially now with how the WNBA has just blossomed into what it is now." Graduate Student Guard Giana Hoddinott said.