Friday, Jul 1, 2016
by Rider Sports Information
The ninjas prided themselves on covert operations, attempting to not be seen.
Recently, millions of people around the world were able to see a pair of Rider University track & field alumni compete on national television on the “American Ninja Warrior” television show.
Now in its eighth season, the show features people from various backgrounds who have a story to tell, usually having overcome one of life’s obstacles, while taking part in a physically challenging obstacle course competition.
The show travels around the country and at the Philadelphia qualifying round, Rider alums Greg Smith ’15 and Anthony DeFranco ’15 were part of the fifth episode filmed in May and aired June 27-28. Greg graduated from Rider with a degree in secondary education and mathematics, and Anthony earned an accounting degree.
Smith, who overcame cancer while at Rider and came back to excel in the long jump after his ordeal, was nicknamed the “Scarred Ninja” on the show.
“Greg is just an awesome kid,” Rider head coach Bob Hamer said of Smith when he returned to competition after his operation, “and a big-time hero. The fact that he overcame cancer, sat out a year and to come back like this is amazing. He has made himself into the person he is today. My heart goes out to a person like Greg, who has overcome real life challenges, real life obstacles.”
On the show the top 30 competitors advanced to the local finals, and the leaders head to the national finals in Las Vegas where they compete for a $1 million grand prize.
Smith did not make the local finals, having trouble with the third obstacle, but was shown on television saying “I want people to know that you can be on your deathbed and you can come back better than you were before.”
The show also ran a feature on Smith and his training partner, DeFranco.
DeFranco was a four-time MAAC Champion at Rider, in the pole vault indoor and outdoor and twice as a member of the 4 x 100 relay.
“I’m going to try to hit the buzzer for Greg,” DeFranco said on the show, referring to the end of the sixth and final obstacle.
Not only did DeFranco hit the buzzer, he finished the course in the fastest time and won the round’s top spot.
Now, even though ninjas don’t like to be seen, Rider fans all over will be watching out for the “American Ninja Warrior” finals, featuring former Bronc Anthony DeFranco.