In honor of Dr. Gregory G. Dell’Omo’s dedicated service as Rider University’s seventh president and passionate support of Rider Athletics, the Board of Trustees formally dedicated the athletic complex in his name.
The Gregory G. Dell’Omo Athletic Complex encompasses the university’s baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, recreational field, track and field complex, and turf field, which is home to Rider’s men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams. Of the University’s 21 Division I sports, 13 programs utilize the complex.
“Your name will greet generations of student athletes as they train, compete and continue to bring home championships,” Board Chair Joan Mazzotti said during a presentation to unveil the naming.
Throughout his decade-long tenure, Rider’s Division I athletic teams have seen incredible success with Dell’Omo and his wife, Polly, frequently cheering on the Broncs in the stands.
The university won 40 conference championships, produced 18 All-Americans and won two consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s Commissioner’s Cups. Rider Athletics added women’s lacrosse as its 21st Division I sport, saw its first wrestler compete in the Olympics and had the first wrestler advance to the national championship bout.
“The naming of the outdoor athletic complex for President Dell’Omo couldn’t be more appropriate,” Athletic Director Don Harnum said. “Greg loves sports, has been extremely supportive of Rider Athletics during his tenure and has witnessed a plethora of Bronc victories in that part of campus. This is a very deserving honor and recognition.”
Rider has made a number of additions and renovations to its athletic facilities in the past 10 years, including the construction of the Jason Thompson ’08 Court in the basketball practice facility and the Michael P. Brady Track Operations Building & Pavilion, and renovations to the Gary Taylor Wrestling Center and Richard A. Coppola Pool, both located in the Canastra Health & Sports Center.
Additionally, to honor Dell’Omo’s legacy as he sets to retire, the Board of Trustees created the Presidential Impact Fund, an unrestricted fund that allows Rider to respond to its most pressing priorities. The fund, which has raised more than $800,000 to date, is yet another way to support the university’s largest fundraising campaign ever, Transforming Students — Transforming Lives. Dell’Omo’s stewardship of the campaign has created nearly 100 new scholarships, advanced key campus improvements and inspired gifts from more than 18,000 donors — including 19 seven-figure commitments and one historic $10 million gift.
