Broncs Second in Standings Only

Everyone's a Winner in Goodworks Challenge

For years Rider University student-athletes have been donating their precious spare time to community service. This year the 16 different events sponsored by the department of athletics led Rider to a second place finish in the MAAC Pepsi Goodworks Challenge.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Pepsi created the MAAC Pepsi Goodworks Challenge in 2009-2010, with each of the ten MAAC institutions competing for a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

The Broncs won the inaugural MAAC Pepsi Goodworks and have now placed runner-up the last two years.

Some of the many community service projects the varsity teams completed this year were with the Relay for Life, Race for the Cure and the University's Thanksgiving Celebration Donation.

Teams put on free clinics for local elementary schools, YMCAs and schools for children with special needs, took part in an Autism Walk, became pen pals and worked with Special Olympics.

Several teams took part in Playing for the Pink tournaments, they worked in soup kitchens, and almost one-fourth of all student-athletes helped the Rider freshmen move in to their new dorms.

"I am extremely proud of the community service our student-athletes provide," said Karin Torchia, Rider's Senior Woman Administrator and Associate Athletic Director for External Operations. "We've always stressed the responsibility and importance of giving back to the local community to our student-athletes and coaches and I appreciate the dedication they gave to the Goodworks Challenge again this year."

The Challenge ran from November 1 through April 30, with teams receiving points based on hours volunteered and number of volunteers.

Rider might have finished second in the standings, but everyone wins in the Goodworks Challenge.

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