The second year is supposed to be a stepping stone

from the first year. A program is supposed to show improve-

ments is all areas including the win column. The 2008-09 sea-

son for the Rider University women’s basketball team did ex-

actly that. Of course, as with any program that is rebuilding,

there were some ups and downs, but when the final horn

sounded Head Coach Lynn Milligan was pleased with the

growth the program has seen in her second season at the

helm. When asked about the season, Milligan commented,

“Now that we are a few months removed from the end of the

season, I can look back at the second year and be a little bit

more objective; we did some good things this year.” While

the season came to a very disappointing loss against Niagara in the first round of the MAAC

Championship, there were plenty of highlights that the team will take with them into the

summer.

After starting the season 2-1, an overtime loss at Monmouth catapulted the team

into an 11 game slide that came to that historic end. In January, the Broncs put

together a four game winning streak in January (the first such streak since

2000) in taking down Manhattan, Penn, Loyola and Iona. “I am very proud of

the players for that four game winning streak. We had just come off a very

tough 11 game losing streak where everything was going wrong, nothing was

going right, and we just couldn’t put our finger on what was wrong. When we

started the new year, we made a pact as a team to work harder and keep mov-

ing forward. That hard work was evident with the four game win streak as well

as winning eight the final 16 games of the season. The team easily could have

packed it in and taken the easy way out. Instead, they decided to tighten their

shoelaces and work a bit harder,” said Milligan.

Following the four game win streak, the Broncs followed that up with

a Buffalo sweep by winning at Niagara and at Canisius; the first ever for the

women since joining the MAAC. “The games up in Buffalo were a true snapshot of how this team can play,” said

Milligan. Against Niagara, the Broncs came out firing and raced to an 9-2 lead. The game see-sawed back and forth

for the rest of the first half, but the second half saw Rider build a 26 point en route to a 72-59 victory. Milligan

thought the weekend could be special after the Niagara victory. “The confi-

dence that we gained from winning the first game of a long road trip clearly

was carried into our game against Canisius.”

Against Canisius, Rider responded to a 0-2 deficit and went on an 11-0

run to open the game. “It was huge getting the early lead against Canisius,”

Milligan said. “They have a trend of being extremely hot in the first four

minutes that they play and holding them down early made the game more

manageable.” The game featured 11 lead changes and was full of drama

that ended with a 18 foot jumper by senior Shaunice Parker with 3.8 sec-

onds left in regulation that sealed the victory and the Buffalo sweep for the

(Continued on page 2)

VOLUME 2 , I SSUE 3

SPRING 2009 RIDER UNIVERSITY

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

MAAC Honors 2

Join Us For Camp! 3

Coaches Corner 4

Senior Salute 5

Alumni News & Notes 6

Final Results 7

Finishing Thoughts 8

Second year Head Coach

Lynn Milligan

Broncs.

Other highlights of the season included the Broncs third ever victory over Fairfield

University which was also first victory over the Stags on their home court.

The improvement that the team made was not only evident by the fans that at-

tended the games, but the conference recognized several Broncs as well. Tammy

Meyers was named 2nd Team All-MAAC and Sarah Homan was selected to the All-

Rookie Team.

“This year, as expected, we had several ups and downs,” said Milligan. “While we

were down a little longer than I had hoped, we saw a lot of progress in certain areas

and we grew as a team. We will miss Shaunice, Danielle and Maura tremendously,”

Milligan said of the graduating trio. “They made the most of a difficult situation (two

coaches in four years) and can be very proud of how their careers ended.”

While the second season is supposed to show improvement, the third season is

one that the Broncs are very eager to begin. With 10 returning letter winners, as well

as the addition of four talented recruits, Rider women’s basketball will be expected to improve upon their 7—11 (t-

7th place) MAAC finish. “We are excited about next season,” says Milligan. “But all of our players and coaches know

that nothing is going to be handed to us. No one is going to take Rider lightly anymore and for that we must be pre-

pared.”

(Continued from page 1)

(Continued on page 4)

VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 3 PAGE 2

Junior Tammy Meyers (Willingboro) and freshman Sarah Homan (Upper Darby, Pa./Deco Christian) were honored by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Confer-ence at the end of the regular season. “We are very proud of Tammy and Sarah,” said Head Coach Lynn Milligan. “To have two of our players recog-nized by the MAAC is not only a credit to them but our team and the hard work we did this season.” Meyers, a 5-9 guard, was voted to the All-MAAC Second Team with Homan, a 6-3 center, named to the MAAC All-Rookie team in voting by the league head coaches. Meyers lead Rider (10-19, 7-11 MAAC) in scoring,

averaging 14.1 points per game and ranked third in the MAAC in minutes played, sixth in scoring and steals and seventh in assists, while starting all 29 games. Meyers was named to the preseason All-MAAC third team. “Tammy has established herself

as one of the best guards in the MAAC,” Milligan said. “She continues to work on her game every day to better herself.” Homan, a two-time MAAC Rookie of the Week selection, averaged 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while only playing 15.6 minutes per game. Homan was third on the team shooting 43.2% from the field and ranked third in the MAAC averaging 1.3 blocks per game. “Sarah had a great freshman season where she was able to adapt to life under the basket at the DI level which is not an easy thing,” Milligan said. “She is a quick study and continues to learn and advance her game on a daily basis.” Homan is Rider’s sixth MAAC All-Rookie selection and the first since Kara Borel ’07 was honored after the 2003-04 season. Meyers is the first All-MAAC selection for Rider since Becky Hower ’05 and Leanne Moore ’05 received Third Team All-MAAC honors following the 2004-05 season. “The team continues to believe in our process to turn the Rider program around,” Milligan added. “We have taken big strides with many left to be taken. This was a nice way to continue to gain respectability for the program.”

MAAC

Women’s Basketball

2008-09 Final Standings

1. Marist

2. Canisius

3. Fairfield

4. Iona

5. St. Peters

6. Siena

7. Rider

8. Manhattan

9. Loyola

10. Niagara

Freshman

Sarah Homan

Junior

Tammy Meyers

BRONCS’ BULLETIN PAGE 3

Rider University women’s basketball has set the dates for its 2009 girl’s

basketball camps and clinics. The team camp, which will run from

June 19-21, 2009 is open to high school and organized AAU teams. The

day camp, which runs from July 27-30, 2009, (9am-

5pm) is open to girls ages 8-17. The elite camp

which will begin in the afternoon on July 30 and

run through July 31, will be open to girls in grades

9-12. For more information on any of these won-

derful opportunities or to request a brochure,

please contact Assistant Coach Rashana Barnes at

609-895-5686 or rbarnes@rider.edu.

Team Camp

June 19-21

Day Camp

July 27-30

Elite Camp

July 30-31

Rider University

Women’s Basketball

Post-season Awards 2008-09

Most Valuable Player

Tammy Meyers, Jr.

Most Improved Player

Cintella Spotwood, So.

Defensive Player

Shaunice Parker, Sr.

Academic Award

Danielle Costantino, Sr.

Coaches Award

Maura Gillooly, Sr.

Unsung Hero

Stephanie Wisniewski, Jr.

Practice Player

Alyssa Parsons, Fr.

While the 2008-09 season is officially over, we hope that you will continue to support the Broncs. To help assist our fundraising efforts we will continue each year with the Friends of Rider Women’s Basketball Club and we hope that you will consider membership. There are a many different membership lev-els with several incentives available. All levels receive a 2009-10 pocket calendar with the Bronc logo on the front. The 2009-10 brochure will be made available later this summer. You will be sent a brochure, however if you would like to join now, contact our office at 609-896-5368. Our fundraising goals for 2009-10 include locker room improvements, a new gun shoot-ing/rebounding machine for the players, bol-stering our foreign tour fund and other ways to continuing to provide our student-athletes with a first-class experience while at Rider.

VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 3 PAGE 4

with Head Coach Lynn Milligan Hello Broncs! What a crazy and quick couple of months we have had. We have finished up year 2, recruiting, and post-season. We are very proud of our accomplishments this past season. Our 10 win total was the most since the 2000 season and our 7th place finish in the MAAC was the highest since the 2000 season. Junior Tammy Meyers was named to the All-MAAC Second team and Freshman Sarah Homan was named to All-Rookie team. This is a terrific honor not only for Tammy and Sarah but the whole team. We have concluded a hard and productive post-season and are heading into the summer with great anticipation for next season. We again will have a very challenging schedule ahead of us. The schedule is highlighted by a trip to Florida Gulf Coast University for a Thanksgiving tournament. Our home opener will be November 13 when the Big East’s Seton Hall comes to the Zoo. I want to again thank you for your continued support. It is a vital part of the continued overall success of our program. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the Women’s Athletics 5K/Walk Run on June 13. It is a great event held during Alumni Weekend. I would love us to be the most represented sport not only in attendance, but also support. We will have a women’s basketball tent there as a place for you and your families to hang out after the Walk. Yours in Hoops,

Shereen Lightbourne from Elmsford, N.Y. has signed a national letter of intent to further her education and athletic career at Rider University, as announced by Bronc Head Coach Lynn Milligan. "We are very excited to find a player of Shereen's caliber in the late signing period,” said Milligan. “Shereen was under the radar for most of her junior and senior year and we feel that we have a found that 'diamond in a rough' player." Lightbourne, a senior at Alexander Hamilton High School, averaged 18.3 points and 5.6 re-bounds per game, earning Third Team All-New York All-Section 1 honors. A 5-11 guard, Lightbourne was a 1,000 point scorer and team co-captain. “She can play either guard spot as well as the small forward in a pinch,” Milligan added. “Her versatility to play different positions as well as her athleticism will have her in the mix for playing time immediately. We are very happy to have Shereen join the Rider family" Lightbourne joins Carleigh Brown, Cailin Bopp and Dior Brown who signed NLIs in November as members of the Rider University Class of 2013.

The 2009-10 season will have the Broncs tested imme-

diately with a home contest vs. the Pirates of Seton Hall

University. Other teams scheduled to battle the Broncs

include Colgate, Monmouth, FDU, Princeton, Penn, La

Salle, and Fordham. The schedule will also feature a

Thanksgiving tournament at Florida Gulf Coast University

and a post-Christmas face-off at Big East power, Syracuse

University. “I think we worked hard to put together a

competitive, yet balanced schedule for next season,”

Milligan said regarding the schedule.

The second season is now officially over...let the third

one begin!

(contributions to this article were made by

Brian Solomon, Rider University Sports Information)

(Continued from page 2)

*** In the next issue of the

Broncs’ Bulletin we will be add-

ing a new feature called Basket-

ball and Beyond. It will take a

closer look at some of our cur-

rent student-athletes and what

they are doing off the basketball

court. The feature will also be

made available on our new blog

Rider Women’s Basketball and

Beyond, which can be found at

http://riderwbball.blogspot.com

There you will find weekly, some

times daily, updates on the pro-

gram as well as other things that

are of interest to us. We hope

you check in often! ***

BRONCS’ BULLETIN PAGE 5

This issue of Broncs’ Bulletin will say our good byes to three seniors who have exhausted their eligibility this season.

Maura, Shaunice and Danielle graduated on May 15, 2009 and are now beginning the next chapter of their lives. The

Broncs’ Bulletin had some final questions for the trio:

B.B. ~ So now that your basketball career as a Bronc is over, what is next for you?

S.P.-Next is starting my life as an adult. I plan to start my own Web based company, get in the music industry somehow,

and continue writing songs.

M.G.-I am trying to get an assistant basketball coaching job. (Now why would she want to do that!!)

D.C. - I am currently job searching. I am interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry. Due to the current eco-

nomic situation, my recent job offer from McNeil Consumer Healthcare has been put on-hold. However, I am hopeful

that this situation is only temporary and I am excited about entering the next stage of my life.

B.B. ~ What is your best memory in a Rider uniform?

S.P. -My best memory is when we beat Princeton at home with a buzzer beater.

M.G.-My best memory of being in a Rider uniform is senior year, sweeping our games up in Buffalo.

D.C. - My best memory in a Rider uniform is playing my first collegiate game on Rider's home court. The feeling was

immeasurable, reaching a milestone, fulfilling a goal and living my dream was now a reality.

B.B ~ What will you miss most about begin a Bronc? What will you miss least?

S.P.-Hanging out with my teammates and laughing with them all the time is what I’ll miss most. Waking up early, going

to practice when I was tired, and going to study hall is what I will miss least.

M.G.-The thing I am going to miss most about being a Bronc is having that second family always there for you.

The thing that I am going to miss least about being a Bronc is the early morning practices and running on the track.

D.C. - What I will miss most about being a Bronc is being in a Rider uniform and playing the game. What I will miss least

is the "long long bus rides", especially the Buffalo Trip.

B.B ~ Do you have any final thoughts for all of those who have followed the Broncs this year?

S.P.-I want to say thanks to those who supported us through everything….Not just when we won, but when we lost.

Thanks for making us feel like winners!

M.G.-I would just like to thank everyone for following us, it was a pleasure to be part of the program. The team is going

in the right direction and hopefully you all will continue to follow them as they have success in the future.

D.C. - First, I would like to say thank you to my parents and brother and sister for their support throughout my career at

Rider. It was a great feeling to see them in the stands at home or away games. As well as, having their support on and

off the court. Secondly, I would like to thank all the fans at Rider for their support for the past four years. Having

cheering fans meant a lot. They stuck with us through good times and bad.

VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 3 PAGE 6

We want to hear from you! Have you moved, changed jobs, had an addition to your family? If so we would like to know. Please keep us posted on anything new and or exciting. We will feature alums in every issue of the newsletter. If you have a picture to send along that would be great. Also, if you have any comments or sugges-tions, we would love to hear them.

Please contact:

Pam Durkin 609-896-5368

pdurkin@rider.edu

At the Alumni game on January 25, Long-time Broncs supporter

Herb Young ‘50 takes time to be photographed with former

Broncs Maureen (Ryan) Loughran ‘93, Lauren Thomer ‘04, Chel-

sea (Brown) Capstraw ‘92 and on the right by Lynn (Donovan)

Milligan ‘92, Kim Peto ‘05.

Schedule of EventsSchedule of EventsSchedule of EventsSchedule of Events

Saturday, June 13, 2009

9:30 a.m. Check in by the Student Recreation Center

(Complimentary refreshments available)

10:15 a.m. Welcome and Jr. Broncs Races (Ages 10 and under)

10:30 a.m. 5K Walk/Run begins on the Rider University Campus Mall

11 a.m. Lunch on the Campus Mall

(a la carte or all-inclusive options available for a small fee)

Registration and Donations All individual walker/runners are welcome. The registration fee is $25 and includes a t-shirt and water bottle. Additional donations are always wel-come.

For more information visit www.gobroncs.comFor more information visit www.gobroncs.comFor more information visit www.gobroncs.comFor more information visit www.gobroncs.com

Have Kids? Bring them along! Kids are welcome to hang out in the “KidZone” dur-ing the walk/run. Members of the Rider women’s basketball team will be on hand with arts, crafts, games and face painting.

Also new this year...Jr. Bronc Races—Prizes!

BRONCS’ BULLETIN PAGE 7

Nov 14 @ Seton Hall L 48-64 Nov 16 Colgate W 68-56 Nov 21 @ Fairleigh Dickinson W 65-64ot Nov 24 @ Monmouth L 48-50ot Dec 01 Texas-Pan American L 52-57 Dec 05 Iona* L 81-92 Dec 07 @ Loyola* L 78-86 Dec 19 Navy L 64-71 Dec 21 @ La Salle L 47-63 Dec 28 Virginia+ L 38-83 Dec 29 UMBC+ L 55-76 Jan 04 Marist* L 45-69 Jan 06 @ Princeton L 54-68 Jan 09 @ Siena* L 54-58 Jan 11 @ Manhattan* W 76-66 Jan 13 Pennsylvania W 76-63 Jan 16 Loyola* W 62-47 Jan 18 @ Iona* W 61-58 Jan 23 Canisius* L 59-71 Jan 25 Siena * L 56-70 Jan 30 @ Niagara* W 72-59 Feb 01 @ Canisius* W 65-64 Feb 06 Fairfield* L 65-67 Feb 08 Saint Peter's L 63-74 Feb 13 Manhattan* L 55-71 Feb 15 Niagara* W 56-40 Feb 21 Saint Peter's* L 59-69 Feb 23 Fairfield* W 51-46 Feb 28 Marist* L 56-81 MAAC Championships – Albany, NY Mar 05 Niagara L 67-71 + Denotes Marriott Cavalier Classic – University of Virginia * Denotes Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game

Final Results: 10-20, 7-11 in the MAAC

June 13, 2009 5K Walk/Run for

Rider Women’s Athletics Join us for the third an-

nual fundraising event. It is also reunion weekend so come out and remem-ber all of the great times! Rider women’s basketball

will have a tent at the luncheon. After you walk or run, relax in the shade!

For more information, please con-tact Cherie Voorhees at 609-896-5054 or visit www.gobroncs.com.

Visit us on the web:

www.gobroncs.com

2083 Lawrenceville Rd. Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648 Contact: Pam Durkin Phone: 609-896-5368 Fax: 609-895-5664

E-mail: pdurkin@rider.edu

Rider University Women’s Basketball

In the next issue of Broncs’ Bulletin:

• What I did on my summer vacation...Part One!

• Basketball and Beyond...A Player’s Account

• Meet the Team

… and as usual, much, much more!

We would like to introduce you to the newest way to read all about your favorite team! Starting this summer, you can read your news on the official women’s basketball blog...Rider Women’s Basketball and Beyond! The blog will feature frequent updates of anything and everything that surrounds Rider, the team, and much, much more. Follow throughout July as the coaching staff blogs about the rigorous and whirlwind re-cruiting trail. Rider Women’s Basketball and Beyond will supplement the Broncs’ Bulletin to give you the most extensive coverage!

The blog can be found at: http://riderwbball.blogspot.com We hope you will add it to the Web sites you check often!