CALDWELL, N.J.- Caldwell University and the Athletic Department mourns the passing of Sister Michel Rodgers, O.P. on October 11, 2021. Sister Michel was a tremendous supporter of Caldwell Athletics and was as ardent supporter of the Cougars.
 
Wake and Funereal Mass
Monday, October 18
St. Aloysius Church
219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ
Wake: 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.
Graveside services will follow the mass at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds.
 
As Vice President for Student Life from 1996 to 2003, Sister Michel was a strong advocate for the athletic department on the college's executive administration. She also played an integral role in the transition to the NCAA Division II. As Assistant Academic Dean and later as a tutor in the Academic Support Center, Sister Michel helped many student-athletes with their academics.
 
A 1962 graduate of Caldwell College, Sister Michel held many positions at the college, including sociology professor, Coordinator of Academic Advancement, Director of Residence and Assistant Academic Dean. Before returning to her alma mater, Sister Michel was the girls' basketball coach at St. Mary's of Rutherford for four years, leading her teams to winning records each season.
 
For her tremendous support and contributions to the athletic department, Sister Michel was inducted as part of the Caldwell Athletics "Elite Eight" Inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2010. Her interest in athletics, as well as her support of Caldwell's student-athletes and athletic programs, never waned. After she retired from Caldwell, she attended most Cougar sporting events, cheering the Scarlet, White and Gold on to victory.
 
Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Mark A. Corino on Sister Michel, "It is with a heavy heart that I reach out today with the news of the passing of Sister Michel Rodgers. Our beloved leader for over 30 years, Sr. Michel was our spiritual leader, passionate supporter, our number one fan, and most importantly a loving friend. She has touched the lives of hundreds of student-athletes and athletic staff members with her never-ending guidance, support, and leadership. She has touched my life, and the lives of all in athletics in a way that is life lasting. She has provided me the opportunity to live my dream. Caldwell Athletics is not the proud program we are today without Sr. Michel's vision and her love for our institution & athletics. We will forever cherish our memories! She has been with us from the start of our athletic journey at Caldwell and I know she will continue to watch us from above as we move forward knowing she will be with us every step along the way. May Sr. Michel rest in peace and may God provide us the strength to continue to make her proud of what she has built for us at Caldwell. Thank you Sr. Michel, we will continue to work hard every day to make you proud. We love you, we honor you, and we celebrate you. Please know we will miss you every day of our remaining lives. May God Bless."
 
Associate Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach Dean Johnson on her passing, "I am tremendously saddened by the loss of Sr. Michel.  She was the second person I met here at Caldwell and I replaced her as Director of Residents in 1990.  She helped me on a daily basis with my transition here to Caldwell.  A lady you could always speak to, a person who cared about our student athletes, coaches, and staff.  She had a passion for athletics and without her support as well as President Sr. Patrice, we would not have the Newman Center.  I will always remember her sitting in a chair, in March, at the softball games with a blanket on, refusing to leave until the DH had ended, and her sitting in the stands, 3 rows up, center court, keeping the stats, for the women's and men's basketball games.  But also, coming into the athletic office, the next day after a game, asking "why did you do this, do that"....all my prayers are with her family and the Dominican Sisters....I will miss her."