NEWARK, NJ—The Atlantic Sun Conference and New Jersey Institute of Technology held a news conference Friday on the NJIT campus to announce that the Highlanders will become the eighth full member institution of the Atlantic Sun, effective July 1, 2015.
Ted Gumbart, Commissioner of the Atlantic Sun Conference, was on hand to welcome NJIT to the A-Sun. The current members of the Atlantic Sun are (listed alphabetically): Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers); Jacksonville (FL) University; Kennesaw (GA) State University; Lipscomb University (Nashville, TN); University of North Florida (Jacksonville); University of South Carolina Upstate (Spartanburg); and, Stetson University (DeLand, FL).
NJIT will compete for Atlantic Sun championships in six men's sports and seven women's sports in the 2015-16 seasons. The number will grow to seven men's sports and 14 total in 2016-17, when men's soccer, which has been in the Sun Belt Conference since 2014, transitions to the A-Sun in the fall of 2016.
As one of 32 multisport conferences in NCAA Division I, the Atlantic Sun's champions receive automatic qualifying berths into NCAA Division I postseason championship play. In addition to championship and postseason opportunities for teams, individual student-athletes from NJIT will be eligible for conference honors on a weekly and seasonal basis.
NJIT's journey to this point officially began in February 2003, when the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a plan to reclassify men's soccer to Division I from Division II. Within two years, the NCAA approved NJIT's request to begin the reclassification process for its entire athletics program.
Men's soccer began Division I competition in 2004 and the remaining programs began Division I competition in 2006-07. Men's soccer became Division I championship-eligible in 2005 and women's soccer followed in 2007.
The remaining programs, operating under a longer NCAA-mandated reclassification process, became championship-eligible as of September 1, 2009.
This new affiliation with the Atlantic Sun Conference marks the first time that NJIT has been a full member of an automatic qualifying NCAA Division I multisport conference.
Previously, most Highlander teams competed without conference affiliation and for the most part were the only teams in Division I to do so in their respective sports.. For example, NJIT men's basketball was the only Independent among 351 Division I teams nationwide.
Coming a few months before the announcement of the entry into the expanded Atlantic Sun Conference, NJIT also announced plans to build a new multimillion-dollar Wellness and Events Center on campus. The facility, which will include a 3,500-seat basketball court, is expected to break ground later in 2015, with the aim of completion and opening for full use by the entire campus community in 2017.
Quotes For the Atlantic Sun Conference: Dr. Tom Moore, A-Sun Presidents Council Chair and USC Upstate Chancellor:"On behalf of my colleagues on the Atlantic Sun Conference Presidents Council, I am proud to welcome New Jersey Institute of Technology as the newest member of the A-Sun."
"We are very pleased to be able to expand in partnership with an institution that shares the primary A-Sun values of academic and athletic success. NJIT adds an institutional academic profile that makes a great fit with our membership, and the Highlander student-athletes achieve at a rate that meets the record-setting levels of the rest of the A-Sun."
"This expansion provides a mutually beneficial increase in institutional and conference exposure for student recruitment, alumni engagement and media coverage of our athletic achievements."
Ted Gumbart, Commissioner of the Atlantic Sun Conference:"As we continue building the A-Sun, adding NJIT brings an overall institutional presence that will contribute academically, athletically, and with the overall student-athlete experience. We look forward to celebrating this announcement together and competing with them for championships this coming season."
For NJIT: Dr. Joel Bloom, President of NJIT:"We have developed excellent working relationships with the A-Sun Presidents and conference leadership.
"We share a commitment to academic excellence, quality student-athlete experience, and longstanding partnerships."
Lenny Kaplan, NJIT Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics"This is a great day for NJIT, our department, and most importantly our student- athletes.
"It has been an almost 10-year journey to find the right conference home for our athletic teams and I am excited that the Atlantic Sun is that home. Many people have put in a lot of work to get to this point, none more than our coaches and student-athletes, and I hope they all get to enjoy this day and the opportunities that will follow."
NJIT Head Coaches Men's Basketball Head Coach Jim Engles"This is such a great moment for NJIT and our student-athletes. They are terrific kids and have earned this opportunity. The Atlantic Sun is a terrific conference and we can't wait to represent them. They have established sone terrific academic and athletic standards and we are humbled to involved in their future."
Women's Basketball Head Coach Steve Lanpher "This is a benchmark opportunity for NJIT athletics. We are extremely excited and honored to be joining the Atlantic Sun Conference. Its women's basketball programs have made it one of the most competitive conferences in the country and we will look to compete with great pride, effort and passion."
Men's and Women's Tennis Head Coach Ira Miller"The tennis coaching staff and the men's and women's tennis teams are thrilled to be part of the Atlantic Sun Conference. We're looking forward to competing against such great teams and having the opportunity to earn a trip to the NCAA's Big Dance."
Women's Soccer Head Coach Mandi Risden"We are so excited that NJIT has found a home in the Atlantic Sun and so proud to be a part of such a successful conference! We look forward to being a part of a strong, competitive conference for women's soccer as well as to the overall experience and many opportunities it will bring to our student-athletes."
Men's Soccer Head Coach Didier Orellana"We are very excited to be joining the Atlantic Sun Conference. It's something we as a university have been striving for years. On behalf of the men's soccer team, I would like to thank everyone involved who made this possible, especially Athletic Director
Lenny Kaplan and President Dr. Joel Bloom for their leadership and tireless efforts."
Cross Country and Track and Field Head Coach Al Alonso "I am really excited with our acceptance into the Atlantic Sun Conference and their commitment to building winners for life through high standards in academics, athletics and community service all of which are very close to my heart. I feel that this conference affiliation will help us to continue to build our young cross country/track & field program to the next level."
Baseball Head Coach Brian Guiliana"An exciting day for NJIT! Thanks to the Atlantic Sun for finding us a home."
