Launched in 2005, the Highlander Athletics Campaign aims to raise $5 million for athletic scholarships, facilities improvements adn program funding that are needed to support the university's transition to Division I athletics.  Under the leadership of National Campaign Chair Herbert M. Iris '51, founder of Iris Construction Company, the campaign has already attained 60 percent of the goal with more than $3 million in gifts and pledges.  Major gifts have included several naming opportunities:

• Basketball court: Seymour "Zoom" Fleisher '51 and his son Bruce
• Scoreboard: Pepsi Cola
• Executive Director Office: Vincent Naimoli '62
• Electronic Message Scoreboard: King '74 and Helen Moy

The campaign includes several special funds honoring icons of the NJIT Athletics program:

The Robert and Dot Swanson Athletics Endowed  Scholarship Fund
Bob Swanson led the athletics program as well as student activities at NJIT for 34 years. He and his wife, Dot, made it their mission to educate the whole student, balancing the rigorous academic curriculum with an active program of physical education and social activities .  The scholarship fund, launched in 2005 with a goal of $250,000, aims to advance their philosophy by providing scholarship support to allow a scholar-athlete to reach his or her full potential both in the classroom and on the playing field.  In 2005, 66 donors contributed more than $80,000 in gifts and pledges.

The Mal Simon Soccer Fund
For nearly 50 years, the name of J. Malcolm Simon has been synonymous with athletics and physical education at NJIT.  During his 37 years with the university, he coached soccer, volleyball and basketball, taught physical education, directed intramural activities, and ultimately became NJIT director of physical education and athletics until hi retirement in 1993.  The Mal Simon Soccer Fund honors Mal by helping NJIT to support the scholar-athletes in its Division I Soccer Program.  Launched in autumn 2005 with a goal of $500,000, the fund has already raised $433,396 from 50 donors.

The Paul C. Hausser Fencing Fund
For nearly four decades, Paul Hausser served as mentor and coach, teacher and administrator to NJIT students.  He was fencing coach from 1953-1983, with 200 victories, an overall winning percentage of .780 and two North Atlantic championships.  In 2005, Ham Bowser '52, owner of Evanbow Construction in East Orange, NJ, and former member of the University Board of Trustees, initiated a campaign for Hausser Fencing Fund, to be launched in mid-2006.