Friday, Oct 11, 2024
Community service event part of ongoing partnership with the NFL team
by Rachel Stengel '14, '20
A group of Rider University students had the opportunity to participate in a sports clinic with athletes from Special Olympics New Jersey on Oct. 10 as part of the University’s ongoing partnership with the New York Giants.
Held at Special Olympics New Jersey headquarters in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, the clinic allowed athletes to test their skills in a variety of activities, including catching passes from Giants legend Eli Manning, who surprised the participants.
Seeing the athletes’ reactions and being able to have an active role in the event was very meaningful for senior and Student Government Association President Christina Natoli.
“Participating in this event was incredibly rewarding,” she says. “Yes, the opportunity to collaborate with Eli Manning was great, but the experience of supporting the athletes and aiding in their enjoyment was something I’m so lucky to have been part of.”
In 2023, Rider became “An Official Higher Education Partner of the New York Giants.” Through the partnership, students have been able to gain hands-on experience across Giants business functions through part-time, full-time and game-day internships, case study projects with the team’s leadership and community service events. The collaboration embodies Rider’s commitment to providing real-world learning opportunities as demonstrated by its Engaged Learning Program.