NJIT

[Glen Clark]

In 2008 - following a first-ever 0-29 season - The entire men's basketball staff at NJIT resigned. This year - playing as an independent after the dissolution of the Great West Conference - NJIT finished 18-11 with an RPI of 153. Here's a list of familiar names compared to that mark:

St Joe's - 174
George Mason - 216
Duquesne - 223
Fordham - 243
St Louis - 259

also:
Boston College - 160
BU - 200
UIC - 216
Miami (OH) - 231
Alabama A&M - 330

The Highlanders have a tiny on-campus facility - 48 year old Fleisher Center seats 1500 - but are an official tenant of the nearby Newark Prudential Center (8 years old, seats 18,711 for basketball)

Sounds like a great entry to the New York market for some forward thinking conference commissioner . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jer..._of_Technology

Oh - did I mention they won at Duquesne this season? They did. And at Michigan

_____________________
Whether your glass is half full or half empty, you still have more to drink

	St Joseph's ST. JOSEPH'S Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive educational experience. One of only 139 schools nationwide with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,200 full-time undergraduates and 3,100 graduate, part-time and doctoral candidates. Located in urban Philadelphia, SJU is a fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Hawks. Athletic claim to fame is is the Hawk mascot, a university student on full scholarship who wears a Hawk uniform and flaps his wings continuously for an entire athletic event. School spirit slogan is "The Hawk Will Never Die."

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

	Duquesne DUQUESNE Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located on 48 secluded acres, on a bluff above downtown. Founded in 1878 as a Catholic college by the Order of the Holy Spirit. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world. Duquesne offers 10 schools of study and 100 degree programs to 6,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Dukes.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.

[xubrew]

They're building a new on campus arena that will seat about 3500. I actually followed them really closely this year. In one of their last home games, they really had a chance to beat Albany, and probably should have, who is probably going to win the America East. NJIT wanted into that league two years ago after the Great West folded, but they ended up inviting UMass Lowell instead, who was moving up from div3. Many of the schools in that conference play hockey, and they had ties to Lowell through that, which is why they invited them instead.

I REALLY like NJIT, so I'm not going to say the A10 shouldn't invite them, but.....well, why not??

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

[Flyer68]

NJIT is the former New Jersey College of Engineering and is a very good engineering \ science school. It is in downtown Newark adjacent to Rutgers - Newark Campus. It is part of a very large downtown area that has been cleaned out over the last few years and encompasses those two schools, Essex County Tech, Essex County Community College, University of Medicine & Dentistry and St. Michael's Hospital.

On 12/6/14 they beat Michigan at Ann Arbor by 2. Only lost to Marquette in Milwaukee by 5. I might be wrong but I also think that NJIT is the only D1 independent school left.

There, now you know all there is to know about it. Go Flyers

[Bill McPeek]

My son's Alma Mater. Actually 68, it is the former Newark College of Engineering. Located in Newark's Central Ward.

[rollo]

5 more years of success, a couple post season bids and a name change is all it would take to get my Royal recommendation.

[Flyer68]

BMP - you are 100% correct and I have driven down MLK Blvd and University Avenue and thru the area 1,000 times over the years. Guess it is true what people say - I have no clue where I am!!! I live in Hawthorne. When will the snow melt in Vernon so I can golf at Seasons, Wild Turkey etc? Rollo, you can come too but I don't know where the "PalatialPlex" is.

[m21eagle45]

Until they prove this season wasn't a fluke and they have some sustained success...Pass

[Bill McPeek]

Originally Posted by Flyer68 BMP - you are 100% correct and I have driven down MLK Blvd and University Avenue and thru the area 1,000 times over the years. Guess it is true what people say - I have no clue where I am!!! I live in Hawthorne. When will the snow melt in Vernon so I can golf at Seasons, Wild Turkey etc? Rollo, you can come too but I don't know where the "PalatialPlex" is.

The snow will be gone in July! If and when you come to the "North Country" let me know!

[xubrew]

They should be better next year, as they're only losing one starter, but it's very difficult for them to recruit and to build a schedule, and to keep players from transferring.

Jeff Engles has done an amazing job as their coach. No one has more working against them than NJIT does, and he's got them winning more games than they lose. What really sucks is that if they were in a conference like the NEC or the America East, they'd be able to compete in it and maybe even win it. But, they're not.

I honestly think the A10 is way over their heads right now, but if they were to get in to the league, who knows?? No program in the country has done more with less. No program in the country really has less.

[jack72]

Maybe we could trade Fordham for NJIT.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

[maddog07]

Would think the question is much larger than just MBBall. Could they compete in the A10 accross the many other men's and women's sports that would be de rigureur.

[AC91]

I also think that, as the A10 continues to position itself as a top tier basketball conference (for TV, credibility, etc), there is no way it can look to add a school like NJIT. It would have to have some sort of track record beyond a season or two. You just cannot say "elite basketball conference" and "we are adding NJIT" at this point. Not saying it cannot happen, but we are not at that point yet. And in terms of doing more with less, it is fantastic that they can, but can they sustain it and how often do we read complaints about the number of programs whose arenas are too small and don't seem to put the resources in that are required to be a part of a strong league, top to bottom. I love that they are building a program, with a new arena, but remember the size of their new arena is the same size as others that we lament. it just seems like they need to prove to themselves and t others that they are ready to support an excellent program over time through resources, coaching changes, upgrades, etc. I'm not trying to knock them, but i would think at this point it is just premature to consider it.

[priceg75]

Adding an up-and-coming school whose greatest claim to fame is getting an RPI near 150 while having no resources, being independent, and marginally being in a good TV market is a gambit for conferences like the NEC, the Patriot, or the Colonial.

Not the A10.

[rollo]

I thought the NJIT to the A10 was sort of a joke...especially considering there are many respected programs within established smaller conferences that most certainly would be offered membership long before NJIT.

[ud2]

Originally Posted by Flyer68 I might be wrong but I also think that NJIT is the only D1 independent school left.

Yes, they are the lone independent in d1 men's basketball.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/teams

[LI2UD2PA]

If the A10 wants a piece of the "Big Apple" it needs to be: St Johns and/or Seton Hall who will never come over unless they are dumped by the NBE. Hofstra out on LI which is not a fit and Marist and Siena are too far off the beaten path. That leaves Manhattan and/or Iona both of which would die to join the A10. The Jaspers made the big dance for the second year in a row. Both academically straight up but play in "high school" gyms. Hate to say it but we should stick with the Rams and demand they put some money into their facilities.

On a similar note I went to the La Salle game and their "gym" has Div 3 written all over it. The Ram and Explorer players must be in awe of the St Louis and Dayton venues.

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.

[Flyer68]

Rollo - I certainly thought that the NJIT was a joke but somehow it got a life of its own. The school (9,500 students) is not a joke and probably does not have classes where "student athletes" can not attend and yet get credit for (do I hear Syracuse or North Carolina?)

[Viperstick]

Originally Posted by LI2UD2PA If the A10 wants a piece of the "Big Apple" it needs to be: St Johns and/or Seton Hall who will never come over unless they are dumped by the NBE. Hofstra out on LI which is not a fit and Marist and Siena are too far off the beaten path. That leaves Manhattan and/or Iona both of which would die to join the A10. The Jaspers made the big dance for the second year in a row. Both academically straight up but play in "high school" gyms. Hate to say it but we should stick with the Rams and demand they put some money into their facilities. On a similar note I went to the La Salle game and their "gym" has Div 3 written all over it. The Ram and Explorer players must be in awe of the St Louis and Dayton venues.

I've been to Fordham, LaSalle, Richmond, Davidson, GW, and GMU. Without a doubt, the Arena far outclasses them all. I went to Cintas and 5/3 as well and similarly felt that the Arena was superior (even though 5/3 is larger). It has its warts (narrow central aisle around the Arena being the most noticeable), but the UD Arena certainly has a "big time" feel to it.

	Richmond UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Founded in 1830, the private liberal arts university in the Commonwealth boasts 2,800 students in 57 majors within its picturesque 350-acre campus. The Robins School of Business is one of the Top-20 business schools in the country. Nickname is the Spiders and are fellow A10 Conference members.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

[xubrew]

Originally Posted by jack72 Maybe we could trade Fordham for NJIT.

Trading Fordham for a box of tic tacs would be an upgrade.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

[The Gem]

I don't necessarily mind the little gyms in the A-10 as long as they are full. I watched all or part of all the road games and the only game with a poor atmosphere was LaSalle. Even the Fordham game was OK as Rose Hill was full, even if that is because a lot of UD fans show up. The Duquesne atmosphere also was bad, their experiment with CONSOL Energy Center is not working.
Outside of UD, SLU, and Umass, they all have little gyms, but The Mullins Center is a terrible atmosphere as it's always half empty.

	Massachusetts MASSACHUSETTS UMass Amherst, the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, 90 miles from Boston and 175 miles from New York City. The campus provides a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. UMass enrolls over 20,000 undergraduates and 5,000 post-grad students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Minutemen. Women's teams known as the Minutewomen. Sports achievements include NCAA Final Four appearances in men's basketball and women's soccer.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

	Duquesne DUQUESNE Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located on 48 secluded acres, on a bluff above downtown. Founded in 1878 as a Catholic college by the Order of the Holy Spirit. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world. Duquesne offers 10 schools of study and 100 degree programs to 6,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Dukes.

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.

[BOF02]

URI has a decent arena.

	Rhode Island RHODE ISLAND The University of Rhode Island was chartered as the state's agricultural school in 1888. The school became the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892. Located in southern Rhode Island, URI is a quintessential New England campus - rural in feeling yet close to the city of Providence, the state's capital. Linked to the city, the beaches, and nearly every corner of the state by both rail and public transit, the campus is easily accessible from Boston and New York URI currently offers 100 majors in seven degree-granting colleges. There are more than 12,000 students on the Kingston campus, about 3,000 in Providence, and a complement of about 700 faculty. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams.

[bigred]

This is probably the worst expansion idea I have ever heard. Home and home with conference foe NJIT -- no thanks. Need to aim much higher.

[priceg75]

Would just like to note that NJIT won their opening round CIT game last night, 84-77 over New Hampshire.

[xubrew]

Originally Posted by priceg75 Would just like to note that NJIT won their opening round CIT game last night, 84-77 over New Hampshire.

That was a really fun game to watch. NJIT is a really unique and interesting story.

[Glen Clark]

Originally Posted by bigred This is probably the worst expansion idea I have ever heard. Home and home with conference foe NJIT -- no thanks. Need to aim much higher.

Not expand - replace.
NJIT would be an improvement over Fordham in every sense of the word.

_____________________
Whether your glass is half full or half empty, you still have more to drink

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

[xubrew]

NJIT is quickly becoming college basketball's most exciting team. They win at the buzzer over a pretty good Cleveland State team, and the fans storm the court!! Again!! It's fun watching them just poor out of the bleachers onto the court.

On to the CIT Quarterfinals!!

[xubrew]

NJIT is in the CIT Final Four!!

Another great back and forth game!! Another court storming, albeit delayed as they wanted Canisius and NJIT to shake hands first!!

A great game!! A great crowd!! Sometimes I forget what it is I REALLY love about this game, and then games like this remind me of it. NJIT is an incredible story. The fans that had seats, but didn't have seats, were great!! Most people just stood, and it was awesome!!!

The Elite Eight is going on right now, and I'm not even watching. I've DVR'd it and am about to start watching, but I actually care less about it, as great as it is.

I just love stories like this, and it is a GREAT story. It's not big time, but it's exciting basketball in a great atmosphere, and CONGRATS TO JIM ENGLES AND THE NJIT HIGHLANDERS!!!!

He's done a FANTASTIC job as the coach of that team!!

And, now I'll start watching the much more important, but less compelling to me personally, Elite Eight games.

[m21eagle45]

Originally Posted by xubrew NJIT is in the CIT Final Four!! Another great back and forth game!! Another court storming, albeit delayed as they wanted Canisius and NJIT to shake hands first!! A great game!! A great crowd!! Sometimes I forget what it is I REALLY love about this game, and then games like this remind me of it. NJIT is an incredible story. The fans that had seats, but didn't have seats, were great!! Most people just stood, and it was awesome!!! The Elite Eight is going on right now, and I'm not even watching. I've DVR'd it and am about to start watching, but I actually care less about it, as great as it is. I just love stories like this, and it is a GREAT story. It's not big time, but it's exciting basketball in a great atmosphere, and CONGRATS TO JIM ENGLES AND THE NJIT HIGHLANDERS!!!! He's done a FANTASTIC job as the coach of that team!! And, now I'll start watching the much more important, but less compelling to me personally, Elite Eight games.

And who do they play in the final? Quinnipiac? St. Francis? Stony Brook?

[jack72]

What does this have to do with UD basketball?

[Glen Clark]

Originally Posted by jack72 What does this have to do with UD basketball?

um . . . I think it's the off-season . . .
let's talk Wright State.

_____________________
Whether your glass is half full or half empty, you still have more to drink

[NCkevi]

Originally Posted by jack72 What does this have to do with UD basketball?

You posted earlier in this thread
maybe you should have asked then

[Glen Clark]

Originally Posted by m21eagle45 And who do they play in the final? Quinnipiac? St. Francis? Stony Brook?

The CIT final four (March 31, at campus sites):
UT-Martin (21-12, OVC) @ Evansville (22-12, MVC)
NJIT (21-11, Independent) @ Northern Arizona (22-14, Big Sky)

_______________________
Man in Black: You're just stalling now.
Vizzini: You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? You've beaten my giant, which means you're exceptionally strong, so you could've put the poison in your own goblet, trusting on your strength to save you, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But, you've also bested my Spaniard, which means you must have studied, and in studying you must have learned that man is mortal, so you would have put the poison as far from yourself as possible, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.
Princess Bride

[xubrew]

Originally Posted by jack72 Maybe we could trade Fordham for NJIT.

Originally Posted by jack72 What does this have to do with UD basketball?

They're at Northern Arizona.

It has very little to do with UD basketball, but it's a pretty good story in regards to general college basketball, that some people seemed to have expressed interest in.

[jack72]

Originally Posted by NCkevi You posted earlier in this thread maybe you should have asked then

I was being sarcastic, but some just go on, and on and on, sort of like Wright State.