From: Charles Rose
Subject: UMBC Community Mourns the Passing of Tom Rider
Date: June 29, 2004 16:21:15 EDT
To: umbc-announce@listproc.umbc.edu
Message-Id: 40E1CF3B.8090601@umbc.edu

To: The UMBC Campus Community
From: UMBC Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation Department

Former UMBC Head Coach and administrator Tom Rider, 63, passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, June 27. Mr. Rider was associated with UMBC Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation from the early days of the university until last year.

A graduate of East Stroudsburg University ('62), Rider served as head coach of UMBC's first soccer and baseball teams in 1966 and 1967 respectively. He coached nine years of Retriever baseball, (1967-75) compiling a record of 63-88, and mentored one UMBC Hall of Famer, pitcher Fritz Lahner (1970-73). He served as head soccer coach from 1967-72, posting a record of 31-27-11, and also was the university's head fencing coach from 1976-80 and head golf coach (1976-79).

The Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania native served as Assistant Director, UMBC Athletics, coordinating the physical education and intramural programs throughout much of the 1970's and 1980's, until his retirement in 1992. The energetic Rider continued to teach in the department until 2003, serving as a part-time instructor with his popular Trail Hiking and Winter Survival Classes.

The men's soccer program instituted the Tom Rider Award in 1992, honoring a senior who contributes the most to the program. "TR" was also presented with the Charles M. Woolston Award in 1998, which honors an individual who has provided outstanding service to the UMBC Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation.

"Tom was one of the most respected people in the Athletics department, especially by our students," said Gary Rupert, associate director of development in the Alumni Relations and Development office, and former associate and acting athletic director at UMBC. "His office was always open and you could always find students there talking to him about anything and everything."

Viewing services will be held on Wednesday, June 30, from 3 to 5 and from 7 to 9 p.m., at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk, 7922 Wise Avenue. The funeral service will be held at the First Lutheran Church of Gray Manor, 212 Oakwood Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 on Thursday at 11 a.m.

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