Women's College Basketball
National Girls and Women in Sports Day and
NCAA Pack the House Challenge - February 14

The Rider University Department of Athletics will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day with a free sports clinic for girls aged 5-17 and compete in the NCAA sponsored "Pack the House" Challenge on Sunday, February 14 during its women's basketball game against Loyola University at 2 p.m. 

The goal of the "Pack the House" program is for each participating school to set a women's basketball attendance record. The NCAA will select 32 winning institutions (one from each of the 31 Division I conferences and one independent) based on creative marketing strategies, and sellouts or the largest percentage increase from the previous year's single-game record attendance. Rider's single-game attendance high for the 2008-09 season was 1,421 set against Saint Peter's College on February 21.

"We've already had tremendous support for our women's basketball team this season from our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members, but our goal with this event is to sell out Alumni Gym and set a Rider women's basketball attendance record," said Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations and Development/SWA, Karin Torchia.  "It's my hope that Rider fans will come out to the Broncs' Zoo in record numbers and support our women's basketball team."

As part of its celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Rider University in partnership with University Orthopaedic Associates, LLC and Rutgers University, invites girls ages 5 to 17 to a free basketball clinic from 11:00 am - Noon followed by an all-sports clinic with Rider's eight other varsity women's athletics teams and cheerleading from noon-1:30pm on Sunday, February 14 prior to the women's basketball game.  The clinic also features a session on injury prevention tips from certified athletic trainers and physicians for parents.  Light lunch will be served along with complimentary tickets to the Rider University vs. Loyola University women's basketball game at 2 p.m.  Girls do not need to have any prior experience in any of the sports to participate in the clinic.  All equipment will be provided and the swimming and diving portion of the clinic will be out of water exercises only.  To pre-register for the clinic, call 609.896.5054 or e-mail voorhees@rider.edu.  For more information, visit www.uoanj.com.  

Speaking at the student-athlete clinic prior to the game is  Michele A. Powers from EmblemHealth.

Michele joined EmblemHealth as Vice President, Operations in January 2009.  She has responsibility for health claims delivery for the company's 3.4 million medical and dental members.  Michele's operation is responsible for servicing all of EmblemHealth's managed care insurance products with approximately 800 employees performing functions such as mail room operations, claim processing, correspondence, adjustments, grievance and appeal, overpayment recovery and business system testing.  She is accountable for a $91M annual budget and must meet stringent Federal and State and company goals with regard to timeliness and accuracy.

Michele has over 25 years experience in the health care industry.  Prior to joining EmblemHealth, she was Vice President, Operations for CIGNA HealthCare managing claim and call centers in Chattanooga, TN and Charlotte, NC supporting 2.9 million members and 1400 employees. She started her career at Prudential HealthCare as a management trainee and held a variety of service operations positions during her 17 year career that included 5 relocations and numerous temporary assignments.

Michele received her Bachelor of Science in Commerce in Management and Organizational Behavior from Rider University in 1984 where she also participated on the Women's Basketball team, the Women's Field Hockey team and was an officer in Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.  In 1988, she received her Masters in Business Administration from Monmouth University while maintaining her fulltime employment at Prudential HealthCare.

Michele's parents, Michael (Mickey '60) and Ann (Anna Rostock '58) are also proud graduates of Rider University.

Tickets to the women's basketball game on February 14 at 2 p.m. are free for all kids 17 & under and adult tickets are discounted to $3. Fans can purchase tickets or get more information on the day's events by calling the Rider Athletics ticket office at 609-896-5054.