Tuesday, Apr 17, 2018
The building will greatly enhance the daily operations of the track and field program
by Rider Sports Information
At the April 14 track and field naming ceremony in honor of Coach Mike Brady '76, the Rider University Department of Athletics announced its plans for the creation of the Michael P. Brady Track Operations Building & Pavilion.
The building will greatly enhance the daily operations of the track and field program, professionalize meet management and bolster recruiting efforts while honoring the legacy of former track and field coach Mike Brady '76.
"This building will be a tremendous asset to our program," Rider Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Bob Hamer said. "It is a game-changing facility that we will utilize every day. It will help to make the track area a facility, which is really important to us. It is a significant upgrade for our meet management operations and it will be a beautiful showpiece for recruiting. I am really excited about how much of an impact this building will have on our overall program."
Brady, who was inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002, passed away at the age of 63 in late November.
"It will also be a constant reminder that Coach Brady was a very special coach and every time our athletes step out on to the Michael P. Brady Track, they will compete with heart, determination and pride," Hamer added. "Those are all of the characteristics that Coach Brady inspired his athletes to compete with every day."
Named head coach at Rider University in 1980, Brady led the Broncs to Eastern prominence in both cross country and track within five short years. His cross country teams captured five consecutive New Jersey collegiate championships and two straight East Coast Conference titles. Brady also guided the Broncs to three indoor and four outdoor ECC track and field championships. Rider captured the ECC indoor and outdoor crowns in each of his last two years, and the Broncs won their final 64 indoor dual meets. Brady's squads compiled a 121-37 record in cross country, a 71-2 mark in indoor track and a 61-4 record in outdoor track.
The victories on the track are not what Coach Brady's student-athletes remember most about their time at Rider. Instead, they recall his determination to prepare them for success in life as well as the guidance and friendship he displayed in pursuit of that endeavor.
"I sincerely thank all the people who have contributed to this exciting project," Brady's wife, Anita said. "The generosity of family, Rider alumni, and the track and field community has far exceeded our expectations. With additional support we can build the Michael P. Brady Track Operations Building and Pavilion which will have such a positive effect on one of Mike's greatest passions – the Rider track and field program and its student-athletes."
Those wishing to support the Michael P. Brady Track Operations Building & Pavilion can make a gift by clicking on the link below. For more information on the project, including how to make a gift, please visit https://www.rider.edu/BradyTrackBuilding.