Thursday, Nov 2, 2017
Revived tradition held for first time since 2004
by Robert Leitner ’17
Hundreds of Rider alumni, students, faculty and staff came out on Oct. 28 to celebrate their cranberry connection and enjoy the festivities at the University's first Homecoming event since 2004.
This year’s homecoming offered activities for all — food trucks and a craft beer garden, a 5K color run/walk and flag football, live music from Rider’s faculty/staff band, Auld Skül, and a flash mob featuring Rider's dance team.
A soccer alumni game was held before the men’s soccer team played Marist College to a scoreless draw, and an alumni swimming and diving gathering was held before the men's swimming and diving team defeated Marist in the final home dual match of the 2017-18 campaign.
The Rider Women’s Giving Challenge kicked off during Homecoming with a reception featuring special guest and Action News anchor Sharrie Williams. More than $23,000 was raised during the two-hour reception, proving a solid start to an initiative in which a giving team will match — dollar for dollar — up to $255,000 of all new or increased gifts made by or in honor of women, potentially resulting in an additional $510,000 in support of current and future students.
“We were very happy with the turnout and the enthusiasm on display throughout the day,” says Alumni Relations Director Natalie Pollard. “Reviving this Rider tradition gives our alumni another fun reason to return to Lawrenceville and reconnect with their alma mater."