On Sunday, April 10, groups of Rider University students put their leadership and team-building skills to the test as they raced – in cardboard canoes of their own building – across the university’s Richard A. Coppola Pool.

It was the second year for the “Team Leadership Challenge.”

The day-long event began with Jonathan Millen, assistant dean for Liberal Arts, speaking about leadership and Karissa Kozlak, a student in Rider’s masters program in organizational leadership, directing activities intended to teach leadership styles, interpersonal skills, teamwork, goal setting, time management, life management and conflict resolution.

Later in the day, participating students were divided into teams and given cardboard, plastic bags and tape to build their own "canoes."

Construction of the boats took place on the basketball courts of the Student Recreation Center. Students then paraded their completed canoes across campus to the pool at the Maurer Center for the race.

To the cheers of a large crowd gathered in the gallery, students climbed into their boats and did their best to paddle across the water before their cardboard crafts sunk.