Anonymous Donors Pledge $2.5 Million To Rider Athletics

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University recently announced they received a $2.5 million pledge to upgrade the Alumni Gym. The donations were made by two anonymous donors.

The university said it hoped to elevate the gym into a modern NCAA Division I arena.

"Now is the time for all of us to do everything we can to support Rider athletes, and the best way to do that is to invest in the arena project,” one of the donors said in a media release.

“The project plans are fantastic, and we know just how impactful this facility upgrade will be for the entire University community. Now more than ever is the time for our fellow alumni and friends to do all they can to support this project in a significant way," said the donor.

The University has been raising funds in recent years to improve the facility. They’ve added the Jason Thompson Practice Court, new flooring, new lighting and sound system, a video board as well as upgrading locker rooms, team meeting and film rooms and providing new coaches’ offices.

Rider has raised $11 million from 112 donors through campaigns.

“We are incredibly grateful for this leadership gift,” Rider University President Gregory G. Dell’Omo said in a media release. “It will help us realize our vision of turning Alumni Gym into an arena and make athletic competitions there an even more enjoyable experience for both student-athletes and the spectators who cheer them on.”

The gift is among the largest in Rider history, and comes after the University announced a $1 million gift to upgrade seating inside the facility. The largest gift in the university's history came in October 2019 when Norm and Elaine Brodsky gave $10 million to name The Norm Brodsky College of Business in honor of the entrepreneur.

The upgrades will also expand the athletic training center, and add a dedicated locker room for volleyball players, while creating a new $1.2 million strength and conditioning center for student-athletes behind the facility.

Alumni who are interested in making a gift or learning more about current naming opportunities, can visit www.rider.edu/bringing-it-home or contact Associate Director of Major Gifts for Athletics Matt Mastrianni at 609-896-5291 or mmastrianni@rider.edu.