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Building the Brand in Athletics |
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| From the time NJIT first welcomed
students in 1881, recognition
of the university's commitment
to educational opportunity
and leading-edge research has
continued to grow. Now, in the
21st century, NJIT's debut in the
Division I athletics arena is energizing
even greater awareness
of the university as an institution
that strives for nothing short of
maximum achievement in every
field. And with $4.2 million
already pledged, the $5 million
Highlanders Athletics Campaign
will do |
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much to advance NJIT in
athletic competition nationwide,
as well as to promote recreational
sports and personal fitness for
all members of the university
community.
There are many who share this
view of athletics at NJIT and the
significance of the Highlanders
Campaign. One supporter is
John Olson '61, MS '66, a member
of the university's Board of
Overseers who retired after a
long career with Morgan Stanley.
Olson, whose family generously
supports NJIT academic
scholarships, says that fostering a
school's prominence in athletics
is part of the "big picture" today
when it comes to building the
national reputation that attracts
top students. "It's a matter of
promoting brand-name recognition
as a university that strives to
be the best in every way."
Other supporters of the
Highlanders Athletics Campaign
cite important benefits for all
students, faculty and staff. In addition
to intercollegiate competition,
NJIT has long encouraged
recreational sports and personal
physical fitness. The Highlanders
Campaign is helping to improve
athletic and fitness facilities
available to all on campus --
such as the immensely popular
running track that is part of the
renovations at Lubetkin Field.
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James Boyle '58, a former
NJIT soccer player now retired
from Public Service Electric and
Gas, remembers how important
physical activity was as a student
majoring in electrical engineering.
"It really helped to ease the stress
of very demanding classes and
actually helped me to be a better
student. I think this aspect is
even more important today given
all our stresses and our tendency
to be less physically active."
Then there are the important
life skills that athletics can build.
John Seazholtz '59, NCE soccer
player and current chairman
of the board at Westell Technologies,
says that teamwork,
consideration of |
others, dealing
with disappointment and defeat
are not innate personal qualities.
"We have to learn these skills,
and my experience has been that
athletic competition at its best
really encourages that learning,"
Seazholtz says.
Seazholtz also feels that attracting
academically talented
top athletes to NJIT through
Division I play brings young
men and women to campus who
are role models on and off the
field or court. "They encourage
better athletic performance at
all levels, and academic effort as
well," he says.
National Division I success,
building the NJIT brand for
excellence in all areas, personal
fitness for life, enrolling the best
student-athletes -- all are moving
forward with the help of the
Highlanders Athletics Campaign.
If you haven't yet contributed,
join the numerous supporters
of a great university who have
brought the campaign close to a
$5 million win. There's still time
to get in the game and make a
gift for general program support,
scholarships, and improvement
of facilities, including naming
opportunities.
For more information, contact
Darlene Lamourt, campaign
director, at 973-596-3403 or
darlene.lamourt@njit.edu. |
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