Welcome to NJIT Day, and the rededication of Lubetkin Field.  The field, of course, is named after the Lubetkin brothers, who played sports at NJIT.  Bernie and Beverly have been long-time supporters of NJIT and NJIT athletics.  The rededication of the field finds its roots in the continued evolution of the intercollegiate athletic program at NJIT.  In 1996, NJIT moved its athletic program from NCAA Division III to Division II, a necessary step to a then-anticipated move to Division I.  In February of 2003, the Board of Trustees approved reclassifying the men’s soccer program to Division I and exploring the reclassification of the entire program, which is ongoing today.

In conjunction with the reclassification of the men’s soccer program, and securing membership in the Atlantic Soccer Conference, we embarked on a campaign to raise funds to improve the soccer field, the result of which you see here today, with the field being upgraded with an artificial grass playing surface and several aesthetic enhancements that are evident around us.

There are a number of reasons for upgrading a facility such as this one, not only for intercollegiate athletics, which forms a significant part of the traditions of college life in general and for NJIT, but for the use and enjoyment of all students, faculty and staff through intramurals and recreational activities.  It is all part of the transformation of NJIT to a residential campus providing all the elements of a comprehensive collegiate experience.

There are a number of individuals who were instrumental in making this all happen.  Mal Simon, who served as long-time soccer coach at NJIT and built the tradition on which we are building further today.  Mal coached some of the most outstanding players in NJIT history, who played on teams that competed for and won national championships, were selected All Americans, and went on to play professionally.  Perhaps without his leadership over the years we would not be here today.

In addition to Mal and Bernie, there are two others I would like to recognize who have stood with NJIT and NJIT athletics through the years: Zoom Fleisher, after whom the Estelle and Zoom Fleischer Athletic Center is named, and Herb Iris, who played basketball at NJIT along with Zoom.  Herb is serving as National Chair of the Highlanders Athletics Campaign and Zoom as Honorary Chair. Each is working tirelessly to raise funds to support NJIT athletics.

There are a number of donors to date who have provided the funding to allow us to go forward in enhancing this facility that leads to its rededication today, including Turner Construction, Schoor DePalma Construction, Thomas Balsley Architects, ANS Consulting, Vollers, Trematore, Torsilieri, MoMetal, Nording Dean, and James Morano.  Others who have been instrumental in supporting this project include Ed Cruz and his construction company, who provided much of the site work prior to the installation of the surface, Mal Simon, and in particular two anonymous donors who have made significant multi-year financial commitments.

In addition, we have with us today Andre Ameer and Joe Branco of ECI, who have made a significant scholarship commitment to athletics, and Joe Diaz and Jimmy Boyle, former NJIT athletes and long-time supporters.

There are a number of NJIT individuals who have played key roles in the implementation of the effort.  Chuck Dees, our Vice President for Advancement, who led and continues to lead—notice I said continues to lead, which means you can continue to contribute—and Joe Tartaglia and Henry Mauermeyer, who oversaw the financing, scheduling, and construction of the field and facility.  

Intercollegiate athletics is important to the life of a university.  It builds pride on campus, and community pride as well.  Many of the young women and men who compete in intercollegiate athletics for NJIT will remember the experience vividly for the rest of their lives.  It is important that we provide a quality experience for them, and, in turn, build the pride and alumni support that raises the currency of the NJIT degree even further.

As I mentioned last night after the men’s alumni soccer match, there are four important ingredients to a successful program: facilities, coaching and recruiting, and leadership.  As is evident, we are improving the facilities, and we have assembled an outstanding coaching team in soccer and other sports as well.  In Pedro Lopes, High School All American at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, and two-time All American sweeper for Rutgers, at which he served as an assistant coach before coming to NJIT, we have a young man who is dedicated to developing a top-ranked Division I team and is dedicated to Newark and its communities.  In Alyssa Radu, a four-year starter at Rutgers and a two-year assistant coach at Centenary College in New Jersey before coming to NJIT as women’s head coach, we have a recruiter and mentor, in whom we have great confidence and high expectations.

The final ingredient, of course, is leadership, which for the athletic program is provided by our Athletic Director Lenny Kaplan, who is responsible for hiring the coaching staff of which we are most proud.  Lenny has another important attribute.  Last night, he introduced himself to about 50 men’s soccer alumni as the Athletic Director here at St. John’s, to which my wife Beth replied, thanks for the material.  Lenny of course is easily confused: Lenny, you graduated from St. John’s; you work at NJIT.

You will see a number of freshmen on the field this afternoon for NJIT, and this is all part of the building plan, the recruiting plan. They have a great deal of enthusiasm for the program and NJIT.  They come from a number of states and countries, and bring with them strong support of family and friends. That level of support is important to the players and to NJIT as well.

Thank you for coming. I’m sure you enjoyed the women’s game and look forward to the men’s match with Howard, which will begin at 3:30 p.m.

And now, let me ask Mal Simon, Lenny Kaplan, and Chuck Dees to join me in cutting the ribbon.