"Garden State Hardwood Classic" Announced
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall University and Rutgers University Departments of Intercollegiate Athletics today jointly announced that their long-standing men's basketball rivalry will officially be branded "The Garden State Hardwood Classic." In addition to an exclusive logo, the rivalry will feature a very unique, perpetual trophy that will be kept by the winning team annually until the next season's meeting.
"We knew that it would be important to the New Jersey college basketball community to keep this rivalry going even though the programs are no longer in the same conference," said head coach Kevin Willard. "We believe the added branding and renewed focus will bring even more excitement to this annual event."
The trophy will be unveiled prior to this season's game, which will tip-off at 12 noon on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark and will be televised live on Fox Sports. This year's contest is the second in an eight-year agreement to continue the series at alternating home sites through 2020. The home arenas for Seton Hall and Rutgers, dubbed the "Rock" and the "RAC" respectively, are separated by an approximate 27-mile drive via the New Jersey Turnpike.
"This is tremendous for New Jersey basketball," said Rutgers head coach Eddie Jordan. "Having competed in the rivalry myself, I have an appreciation for the passion that exists, not only from the schools, but from the region as well. This is a game that everyone looks forward to. To shine a brighter light on it with additional branding and an annual trophy is very exciting."
The trophy is constructed primarily from recycled Asbury Park boardwalk planks, which were retrieved during a re-decking after Superstorm Sandy. New Jersey resident Colin Pezzano, a 2014 graduate of the University of the Arts who earned the prestigious Windgate Fellowship Award for woodworking, created the one-of-a-kind trophy. It is "definitively Jersey" in its presentation.
"College basketball in New Jersey goes back well over a century," said Seton Hall director of athletics Patrick Lyons. "As part of the sports fabric of the state, the Seton Hall / Rutgers rivalry has entertained generations of New Jersey citizens. It's only fitting that this yearly contest is celebrated on a scale appropriate of its importance."
Seton Hall and Rutgers have met 65 times meeting on the collegiate hardwood dating back to 1916, with the Pirates holding a 36-29 advantage in victories. Eighteen of the last 20 meetings have been decided by six points or less or in overtime. The teams have played 51 times since 1974-75 and have met every season since 1995-96. The Pirates captured last season's match-up, 77-71, at the RAC.
"Rutgers and Seton Hall collaborating to create unique elements to further this storied rivalry is really something special," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Julie Hermann. "The trophy that will be awarded annually captures the essence of the state and showcases our New Jersey pride."
The official logo of the Garden State Hardwood Classic was conceived and created by Seton Hall women's soccer student-athlete Peggy Nicolle.
Garden State Hardwood Classic tickets are currently on sale and offer two (2) amazing ticket packages. For a limited time, fans can purchase a Garden State Hardwood Classic commemorative package. This offer consists of two (2) tickets for the Seton Hall-Rutgers game as well as a Garden State Hardwood Classic commemorative gift. The Pirates Bundle Pack, is another great offer that allows fans the opportunity to receive a Seton Hall-Rutgers game ticket as well as a ticket to the BIG EAST match-up between Seton Hall and Butler on January 13, 2015. These ticket packages for the Garden State Hardwood Classic can be purchased through the Seton Hall Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC) at (973) 761-9673. To order via email, please contact the Seton Hall FRMC Manager, Chris Hernandez at chris.hernandez@shu.edu.
