Thursday, September 12th was a day that many former and current coaches, players, fans and athletic staff have dreamed of for decades. It has finally happened, as Rutgers officially opened a dedicated practice facility, the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center, for it’s winter sports teams: men’s and women’s basketball, wrestling, and gymnastics.
When Pat Hobbs took over as athletic director four years ago this November, Rutgers was tragically behind in regard to facilities. Not just behind its fellow Big Ten members and every other power five program in Division I, but also multiple mid-major schools as well. NJIT, a low major just up the road in Newark, opened its own privately funded, 50+ million dollar event center two years ago.