Tara Rienecker joined Montclair State University Athletics in 2000 as the first ever Academic Advisor for Athletics at Montclair and developed the academic support program for student-athletes. Since its inception, Rienecker's role has evolved to the current position of Director of Student Development for Athletes for the last 15 years.
Most recently, she was promoted to the Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator. Over the years, Rienecker has been recognized for her work on campus and off, earning the MSU Athletics Outstanding Team Player Award, the campus Fellowship Award and the Outstanding Campus Advisor Award in a Primary Role. Rienecker also served as the President of the NJAIAW, New Jersey Association for Intercollegiate for Women for over 15 years. In that role, she honored thousands of female student-athletes each year at the High School, College and the Community College level throughout the state of NJ for their achievements in sport.
A former soccer player for the University of Connecticut and Final Four appearance in 1994, Rienecker earned her degree in Sport Psychology at UConn and moved on to complete her Masters in Education from Springfield College. She specialized in Counseling and Psychological Services with a focus on Athletes while at Springfield. Immediately after graduation, Rienecker was named the Head Women's Soccer and Lacrosse Coach at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she was recognized as the MAAC Coach of the Year.
As a former coach, athlete and now Assistant AD, the program under her has developed and grown over the last 25 years and now encompasses the areas of academic excellence, personal development, career development, and community service under the umbrella of Student Development for Athletes (SDA).
Rienecker resides in Verona, NJ, with her husband Eric, a fellow Associate Athletic Director at St. John's University, and their three children, Zach, Brooke and Avery.
