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The accomplishment of one's goals is one definition of success. The favorable outcome of something attempted is another.   Some say success is loving what you have to do.

Success can be defined a number of ways. When 18 of the 20 varsity athletic teams earn a 3.0 or better grade point average, like they did last semester at 91����, that is success.

When six of the 10 women’s teams had over 80 percent of their roster above 3.0, and five of the 10 men’s teams had 75 percent of their roster above a 3.0, that is success.

“The spring 2016 semester might be considered the best ever for our student-athletes,” said , Rider's NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative.  “The women compiled an average semester GPA of 3.39, equal to their highest ever, and the men compiled a 3.17, their highest ever.”

Overall, Rider student-athletes compiled a 3.26 grade point average last semester, compared to the non-student-athletes average GPA of 3.0.

"Academically, this was a tremendous semester for our student-athletes,” said , Rider Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Internal Operations.  “Credit goes to these student-athletes, our coaches, and our academic support personnel for prioritizing the commitment to success in the classroom and not just in competition.”

Rider had 163 varsity athletes from 19 teams named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll for having a 3.2 or better grade point average. Rider’s 20th sport, wrestling, had two athletes honored on the national level as members of the All-Academic team.

Women’s Soccer player  earned First Team Academic All-America honors, after earning Second Team Academic All-America honors last year.

The men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams, the field hockey team, as well as the men’s and women’s track & field and cross country teams, were honored by their respective national Coaches Associations as All-Academic Scholar All-American teams.

Six teams had over 85 percent of their roster above a 3.0, with the women’s cross country and men’s tennis teams receiving Public Recognition from the NCAA for their Academic Progress Rate.

“The Spring 2016 semester’s academic performance was one of the strongest ever from our student-athletes,” Bidle said. “I continue to be impressed with 91����’s Department of 91����’ commitment to student success, both in the classroom and on the playing field.  The overall excellent academic performance of these student-athletes is a direct result of the ongoing and consistent efforts from a number of key individuals, in particular the coaches of these fine student-athletes.  Our coaches set high academic expectations for these students and hold them accountable not just on the playing fields, but for their performances in the classroom.  Other individuals deserving recognition for the academic success of our athletes go to , , Kendall Friedman and the staff of the University’s Student Success Center.  These individuals are to be commended for their dedication and support of all student-athletes, from the academically at-risk student-athletes, to those students with 4.0 GPAs."

Success can be measured in a number of ways.  In the Rider Department of 91����, it is being measured between 3.0 and 4.0.