Monday, Oct 17, 2016
The Bronc’s official name was announced at annual MAACness event
by Rider Sports Information
For the first time in Rider University’s history, the mascot has an official name. “AJ” the Rider Bronc was formally introduced to the University community at Friday night’s “MAACness – The Bronc Awakens” event celebrating the start of the 2016-17 men’s and women’s basketball seasons.
A month-long contest sponsored by Athletics, SGA, the Office of Campus Life and Barnes & Noble College, the University’s bookstore partner, invited students, faculty and staff and alumni to submit their suggestions for the Bronc’s name with a rationale as to why it should be chosen. Close to 200 entries were submitted with over 80 unique names during the nomination period and a committee of students, faculty, staff and alumni narrowed that list to the top five names. Those names, AJ, Andy, Blaze, Brock and Rowdy, were then announced at Cranberry Fest on Sept. 17 and the final voting took place until Oct. 7.
The winning name, AJ, was submitted by Haley Johnston ’16, who noted in her entry that she chose the name in honor of Rider’s first president, Andrew J. Rider. She indicated that not only is it historic, but it’s also a cool, catchy and fun name for a mascot.
“This contest provided us with a great opportunity to engage students, faculty, staff and alumni while further enhancing pride in the University in a fun way,” said Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations & Development/SWA Karin Torchia. “We’ve been asked many times what the actual name of the Bronc is and never had an answer until now. I think the name AJ is a wonderful representation of the University and our rich history.”
One of Rider’s most popular figures, the Bronc is seen at many events throughout the year both on and off campus. From now on though, he’ll have the name AJ proudly displayed on the back of his uniform.
MAACness “The Bronc Awakens” was a huge success this year, attracting close to1,400 students, faculty and staff members as well family and friends of the basketball, cheer and dance teams. They all packed Alumni Gym Friday night for what has become an annual University tradition.
This year's theme could be seen throughout MAACness as the Bronc, cheer and dance teams all incorporated elements of Star Wars into their performances. Instead of getting a MAACness T-shirt this year, students were given replica light sabers upon entering to correspond with the theme which added to the atmosphere of the event. The night also featured a basketball highlight video, introduction of the men's and women's teams, a shootout contest with members of the women’s team partnering with a student and the dunk contest which was won by freshman Dimencio Vaughn.
Because of the ongoing construction to the men’s and women’s basketball locker rooms, the stage at the far end of Alumni Gym was used for the team introductions and provided a spectacular visual as the players entered through elaborate lighting and sound trusses and then proceeded down a ramp to center court.
"It was great to see so many students come out and support the basketball and cheer and dance teams again this year at MAACness," Torchia said. "It’s such a collaborative event and athletics is really thankful to have the support throughout campus to pull it off. This year showed us that everyone is really spirited and excited and we hope to see that kind of energy at all of our basketball games this season."