September 21, 2006 - Pasquariello Named Head Coach
September 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rider Names Pasquariello Head Coach Track & Field/Cross Country
Bob Hamer Assistant Coach
LAWRENCEVILLE--Rob Pasquariello has been named Head Coach of the Rider University men’s and women’s track & field and cross country teams, and Bob Hamer has been named the Assistant Coach of the track & field and cross country teams, Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum announced.
Pasquariello, who served as Acting Head Coach of both the track & field and the cross country programs last year, is in his sixth season at Rider, four years serving as the assistant track & field head coach directly in charge of the field events.
Hamer took Pasquariello’s place in an acting capacity as full-time Assistant Coach last season.
“Both Rob and Bob have done a terrific job as assistant coaches and have handled their interim roles extremely well,” said Harnum. “Rider has a very strong tradition in track and field, as well as cross country, and I am confident that our current coaching staff will not only carry on that proud tradition, but will successfully build on it.”
In his tenure at Rider, Pasquariello's athletes have led the women’s track & field team to its first-ever Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship in 2004. His athletes have broken 24 school records and won 26 MAAC gold medals while setting three Conference Championship meet records. A total of 35 athletes have qualified for the ECAC/IC4A championships, eight have qualified for the NCAA Regionals and two have earned All-East honors.
“I am extremely grateful to Don and the department for their faith in allowing me the honor of leading the Rider Track and Field and Cross Country programs,” said Pasquariello. “It is an opportunity and a charge I don’t take lightly. I feel both programs are on the verge of achieving new levels of competitiveness as evidenced by last year’s results. I am also grateful to my student athletes and my staff, for their support and patience. They deserve the majority of the credit for last year’s success in the field and on the track and for coping with what could have been a difficult transition with maturity, humor and intelligence. I look forward to working diligently with them to propel the program to greater heights.”
Hamer, now in his fourth year at Rider, came from St. Joseph's University, where he held a similar position. A graduate of Penn State University, Hamer was twice a track & field All-American, competing in the 1500 meters and the distance medley relay. Hamer won the Big Ten Conference Championship in the 5000 meters. In cross country, he twice helped the Nittany Lions finish among the top 15 teams in the nation.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to continue working for Rob and helping to fulfill the goal of developing a championship program at Rider University,” said Hamer. “Rob is extremely supportive and creates an environment that will foster an unprecedented level of success for the track & field and cross country programs.
Hamer received his Master degree in Sports Administration in 2000 from West Chester University. He is also a USA Track & Field Level II certified coach for endurance events. Before coaching at St. Joseph's, Hamer was the head track & field coach at Devon Preparatory School.
Justin Lindsey, the 2001 Rider Athlete of the Year, returns for his second year as an assistant coach with the Rider track & field program.
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