Campus Overview

Rider University is a mid-sized private university located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, offering a comprehensive educational experience for approximately 5,000 students. The university provides a balanced academic environment with a focus on personalized learning and professional preparation.


Location & Setting Suburban campus situated in Lawrenceville, NJ, located in the greater Princeton metropolitan area. The campus offers a peaceful, park-like setting with easy access to both Philadelphia and New York City, providing students with urban opportunities while maintaining a comfortable suburban atmosphere.

Campus Life Moderate residential campus with a mix of on-campus housing options. Student life is active but not overwhelming, with numerous clubs, organizations, and campus events. Moderate Greek life presence, with several fraternities and sororities. Weekend activities include both on-campus programming and opportunities to explore nearby urban centers.

Student Body Predominantly from the Northeast United States, with a growing national and international student population. Student body is diverse, with a balanced mix of first-generation college students and traditional undergraduate students. Strong representation of business, education, and arts/sciences majors.

Academics Known for strong undergraduate programs in business, education, and liberal arts. Offers a comprehensive curriculum with emphasis on experiential learning and professional preparation. Average class sizes are small, typically 15-20 students, allowing for personalized attention and interactive learning experiences.

Athletics & Sports NCAA Division I program competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Strongest athletic programs include basketball, baseball, and soccer. Moderate campus athletic spirit with good student support for varsity teams. Offers opportunities for both varsity athletes and intramural participants.

Lifestyle & Weather Typical Northeastern climate with four distinct seasons: warm summers, mild springs and autumns, and cold winters. Campus is mostly walkable, but having a car is beneficial for accessing nearby towns and cities. Proximity to Princeton and Philadelphia provides additional recreational and cultural opportunities.

Field Hockey (2025)

Level
D1 Low
RPI Rank
#66
2025 Record
Overall: 8-10
Conference
Northeast Conference
Coach
Gina Carey-Smith
Recruiting Events:
Disney Showcase 2026

School

Type
Private
Classification
Master's: Larger Programs
Common Majors:
Business (30%)
Accounting and Related Services (28%)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (28%)
Marketing (14%)
• Human Resources Management and Services (13%)
• Finance and Financial Management Services (12%)
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (3%)
• Business/Managerial Economics (1%)
• Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (1%)
Visual Arts (12%)
Music (57%)
Film/Video and Photographic Arts (15%)
• Design and Applied Arts (9%)
• Dance (8%)
• Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management (7%)
• Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (3%)
• Fine and Studio Arts (1%)
Education (11%)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (69%)
• Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (31%)
Psychology (10%)
Homeland Security (6%)

Student Body

Total
4,031
Undergrad
79%
Demographics
57% women
Student:Faculty
12:1

Programs of Interest

Environmental Science (0.9%)
Psychology (10.3%)
Biology (3.0%)
Sports Med / Kinesiology (5.0%)
French (0.4%)

Academics

Admission Rate
79%
SAT Median
1,205
SAT Range
1,100-1,310
ACT Median
25
Retention
82%
Graduation
63%

Costs

In-State
$38,900
Out-of-State
$38,900
Room & Board
$16,730
Avg Net Price
$25,287
Net price = average after financial aid

Weather

Winter
Moderate
HighLow
January40°24°
April63°42°
July86°67°
October66°46°
Oct/Apr = field hockey season

Location

Setting
Suburban (Suburb: Large)
Nearest City
New York, NY
Distance
49 miles

Coaching Staff

Name Position Contact Bio
Gina Carey Smith Head Coach gsmith@rider.edu View Bio
Ally Tarantino Assistant Coach atarantino@rider.edu View Bio
Jaclyn Douglas Assistant Coach jdouglas@rider.edu View Bio
Jacqueline Panico Athletic Trainer
Brett Davis Mental Performance Advisor
Allie Hadden Dietician
Blaine Johnson Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance

Roster Breakdown

18 players

Geographic Recruiting

In-State: 39% (7 players)
US Out-of-State: 39% (7 players)
International: 22% (4 players)
New Jersey: 39% (7 players)
Pennsylvania: 33% (6 players)

Position Breakdown

Forward: 8 (44.4%)
Forward/Midfielder: 2 (11.1%)
Midfielder: 1 (5.6%)
Midfielder/Defender: 1 (5.6%)
Defender: 5 (27.8%)
Goalkeeper: 1 (5.6%)

Class Year Distribution

Freshman: 4 (22.2%)
Sophomore: 6 (33.3%)
Junior: 5 (27.8%)
Senior: 3 (16.7%)

Full Roster (18 players)

# Name Position Year Height Hometown High School
1 Ang Borisow M Jr. 5-5 Harleysville, PA Souderton
2 Sam Connolly F/M So. 5-2 Havertown, PA Cardinal O'Hara
4 Liv Cox F/M Jr. 5-3 Conestoga, PA Penn Manor
5 Kate Mahmud D Jr. 5-6 Downingtown, PA Downingtown West
6 Amanda Walker F So. 5-1 Stockton, NJ Hunterdon Central
7 Semra Said F Sr. 5-3 Mannheim, Germany Feudenheim Gymnasium Mannheim
8 Jaime Haas F So. 5-1 Burlington, NJ Florence Township Memorial
9 Valeria Perales F Sr. 5-6 Madrid, Spain IES Mirasierra
10 Megan Normile D Sr. 5-7 New Egypt, NJ New Egypt
11 Martina de Cespedes F Fr. 5-5 Málaga, Spain Novaschool Sunland International
13 Samantha Biondi F R-Fr. - Bridgewater, NJ Bridgewater-Raritan
18 Anna Finn D So. 5-6 Windsor, NY Windsor Central
20 Ryleigh Damminger F Fr. 5-4 Paulsboro, NJ GCIT
21 Sarah Fitzpatrick M/D Jr. 5-8 Bethlehem, PA Liberty
22 Mackenzie Smith F Fr. 5-4 Hillborough, NJ Hillsborough
23 Hailey Hoffman D So. 5-6 Washington, NJ Warren Hills
24 Emma Bonshak D Jr. 5-4 Whitehall, PA Whitehall
33 Jade Regnart GK So. 5-2 Cape Town, South Africa Fairmont