Oct. 1, 2007

NEWARK, NJ - NJIT officials unveiled the Highlander Athletic Campaign, a $5-million effort to ensure future excellence for NJIT athletics, as part of the annual Hall of Fame ceremonies on September 29.

The Highlander Athletics Campaign will be a major component of the school's athletics future. NJIT aims to attract and support student-athletes who will follow in the footsteps of past success, including the Hall of Fame athletes who became leaders in their professions after graduation.

"The fund-raising campaign is already off to a strong start," said Charles R. Dees, PhD, president of the NJIT Foundation and vice president of University Advancement.

Supporters and friends, working hard behind the scenes, have raised $3.7 million of the $5 million goal.

"We started the campaign to raise funds necessary to upgrade selected athletic facilities and increase funds available for athletic scholarships," Dees added. "We want to use $3 million to upgrade athletic facilities, $1.5 million for scholarships and $500,000 for program support. Within these three areas opportunities exist for commemorative and honorary naming gifts."

Funds from the campaign have already gone to renovate the university's on-campus soccer field, Lubetkin Field, which now has a SprinTurf artificial surface, lighting for night contests and practices, and new bleacher seating for over 1,000 spectators.

The Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center gymnasium, home to NJIT basketball and volleyball, was renovated in the summer of 2006, with installation of a new floor, seating, scoreboards, lighting and sound system.

Upgrading NJIT's athletics program has been a priority of NJIT President Robert A. Altenkirch since his arrival on campus in 2002.

"Achieving academic excellence is of primary importance at NJIT for all students," said Altenkirch, "Students are also encouraged to participate in activities outside the classroom to enrich their collegiate experience. Many of them choose to don a Highlanders uniform and pursue excellence in athletics on the playing fields and courts of NJIT."

Seymour "Zoom" Fleisher ('51) is the new national chair of the campaign, succeeding his friend and former teammate, Herb Iris ('51), who was national chair from the fund's launch until his death in April 2006.

NJIT has a rich history in athletics going back to the 1920s. Among the highlights were back-to-back appearances in the NAIA men's soccer national championship game in 1960 (co-champion) and 1961 (runner-up) under legendary coach Mal Simon.

Baseball and men's basketball have been consistent postseason qualifiers over the past 30 years and men's fencing enjoyed an era of success that extended throughout the long career of the late coach Paul Hausser, who led the team from 1953 until 1985.

NJIT made the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III in 1974, eventually moving up to NCAA Division II in 1997 and then to NCAA Division I. Men's soccer became NJIT's first championship-eligible Division I member in 2005, followed by women's soccer in 2007. The remaining teams are scheduled to reach full Division I status in 2009-10.

NJIT sponsors 19 varsity intercollegiate teams with over 200 student-athletes competing. Sports offerings for women have grown since NJIT fielded its first women's teams in 1982.

Men's sports are baseball, basketball, cross country, fencing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field (indoor), track and field (outdoor) and volleyball. Women's sports are basketball, cross country, fencing, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field (indoor), track and field (outdoor), and volleyball.

To discuss options for contributing to the Highlanders Athletics Campaign, contact Darlene Lamourt, campaign director, University Advancement, 973-596-3403; darlene.lamourt@njit.edu.