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October 28, 2005
NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology will host the 14th annual Nick Russo Collegiate Classic cross country race on Sunday on the famed Van Cortlandt Park course in the Bronx, NY.
Teams of men and women representing nearly 20 colleges are slated to compete in the race, which was renamed in memory of the late Nick Russo, the longtime sports information director at Polytechnic University, who was a driving force behind the race each year from time of its founding in 1992, until his death at the age of 52 in 2003.
This year’s field includes teams from the NCAA Division II and Division III levels, as well as some two-year colleges, mostly from New Jersey and New York.
NJIT's outstanding freshman, Umar Saeed, who won last weekend’s Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship, has won his last six races.
On Sunday, Saeed is slated for a rematch with the only college runner to beat him. Vassar's Patrick Murray, who edged Saeed in the season-opening Vassar Invitational on September 10.
Other top NJIT runners vying for individual honors on Sunday are: Pierre Bastie winner of the NJIT Classic, Matt Magnifico, Duc Tran and on the women’s side, Elizabeth Mayo.
The Nick Russo Halloween Collegiate Classic was founded in 1992 by NJIT's head coach, Adalberto M. Alonso, who was then the coach at his alma mater, Stevens Institute of Technology, Russo of Polytechnic and Stan Watson from Yeshiva University.
Alonso handled the technical aspects of the event, while Russo was responsible for the media, photos and, true to the Halloween theme, the candy at the end. Watson filled in any capacity needed in order to make the event a success. Rich Lucian, another Polytechnic alumnus has stepped in for the late Russo to help keep the tradition going.
“Nick will continue to be with us in our hearts and keeping an eye on us from above,” said Alonso of his late friend.
