NEWARK, N.J. Seton Hall University president Monsignor Robert Sheeran announced Wednesday that effective for the upcoming 2007-08 season, the University’s men’s basketball team will play its home games in the new Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Sheeran made the announcement at a press conference at the Seton Hall Law School that also featured New Jersey Senate President Richard J. Codey, City of Newark Business Administrator Bo Kemp, Devils Arena Entertainment President and Chairman Jeffrey Vanderbeek and Prudential Center General Manager Dale Adams as speakers.
"Since the 1930s, Seton Hall has 'grown up' with Newark, has become a friend and partner with Newark and has become a vital part of the city with our nationally recognized Law School,” said Sheeran. “And there is much more to come with Seton Hall Basketball at the Prudential Center."
Prudential Center, set to open in October 2007, will feature 76 luxury suites, 2,330 club seats, 750 television monitors, a 4,800 square-foot, state-of-the-art exterior LED screen and a gourmet restaurant overlooking the event floor and an array of fan amenities and conveniences, including the richly appointed Fire and Ice Lounges for premium seat holders. Prudential Center will seat 17,625 people for hockey games, 18,500 for basketball games, and 19,500 for concerts.
The Seton Hall men’s basketball team will play all of its home games at the Prudential Center, affectionately nicknamed “The Rock,” and the Pirates women’s basketball team will also play select games there in the future.
“We are thrilled to welcome Seton Hall University and their fans to Prudential Center,” said Vanderbeek. “This world-class facility is going to be an exciting place to watch BIG EAST basketball, and we are glad to be the new home of the Pirates.”
The men’s basketball team will call the Prudential Center its home court after 26 seasons at Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands.
“We are deeply appreciative of the tireless efforts of the management and staff of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority during our long-standing tenure at the Meadowlands,” said Seton Hall Director of Athletics Joe Quinlan. “The Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils have offered us a warm welcome to their new home. We are looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of a new and exciting chapter of Seton Hall basketball history in Newark.”
Seton Hall University is a proud member of the BIG EAST Conference - the largest and most diverse athletic conference in the country. The conference was formed in 1979 and represents the athletic interests of 16 member institutions including the University of Cincinnati, University of Connecticut, DePaul University, Georgetown University, University of Louisville, Marquette University, University of Notre Dame, University of Pittsburgh, Providence College, Rutgers University, St. John's University, Seton Hall University, University of South Florida, Syracuse University, West Virginia University and Villanova University. The BIG EAST has captured 25 national championships in six different sports. For more information on Seton Hall Athletics, please visit www.shupirates.com. For more information on the BIG EAST Conference and its membership, please visit www.bigeast.org.
