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News Release

UMBC ATHLETICS MOURNS THE LOSS OF TOM RIDER, FORMER COACH, ADMINISTRATOR AND TEACHER

6/29/2004

Former UMBC Head Coach and administrator Tom Rider, 63, passed away after a lengthy illness on Sunday, June 27.

Mr. Rider was associated with UMBC Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation since the early days of the university until last year. The graduate of East Stroudsburg University (’62) served as head coach of UMBC’s first soccer and baseball teams in the 1966 and 1967 respectively. He coached nine years of Retriever baseball, (1967-75) compiling a record of 63-88, and mentored one UMBC Hall of Famer, pitcher Fritz Lahner (1970-73). He served as head soccer coach from 1967-72, posting a record of 31-27-11, and also was the university’s head fencing coach from 1976-80 and head golf coach (1976-79).

The Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania native served as Assistant Director of Athletics, coordinating the physical education and intramural programs throughout much of the 1970’s and 1980’s, until his retirement in 1992. The energetic Rider continued to teach in the department, serving as a part-time instructor with his popular Trail Hiking and Winter Survival Classes until 2003.

The men’s soccer program instituted the Tom Rider Award in 1992, honoring a senior who contributes the most to the program. “TR” was also presented with the Charles M. Woolston Award in 1998, honoring an individual who has provided outstanding service to the UMBC Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation.

Friends may call at Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk, 7922 Wise Avenue on Wednesday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m.  Funeral Service will be held at the First Lutheran Church of Gray Manor, 212 Oakwood Road, Dundalk, MD  21222 on Thursday at 11 a.m.