Upstream Red Team!
If you’re a New Jersey resident, chances are you have a connection to Rutgers. With three major campuses throughout the state, it’s well represented as The State University of New Jersey. With top notch academics in hundreds of fields, it’s an excellent choice for higher education. In recent years the Athletics Department has expanded greatly with bigger facilities and better competition, but there’s still a chance for families to enjoy the Athletics program and all its offerings.
Maybe you only equate Rutgers Athletics with football – if so you’re missing out! Football is only one of 22 teams that compete at Rutgers, some in the Big Ten Conference. Student athletes at Rutgers work hard in their sport and in the classroom, and showing your kids what’s available to them if they work hard too, is a valuable experience. It’s also a great chance to see some sports in action that you might not find professionally, or nearby, like women’s volleyball or rowing. Rutgers has some national champions both for teams and individuals, but all of the athletes are top notch and exciting to watch.
Rutgers Junior Knights, presented by Affinity Federal Credit Union
A great start for your mini Rutgers fans is the Rutgers Junior Knights Club, presented by Affinity Federal Credit Union. This FREE program is open to children ages 12 and under. Each season, anywhere from 1-3 games per sport will be designated as Junior Knight games. At these games your Junior Knight will get the opportunity to interact with the student-athletes, visit the field or court, and possibly some other special experiences open only to them. Sign up is here.
Be sure to sign up before August 21st’s Fan Appreciation Day! From 3-5 PM at High Point Solutions Stadium, fans will be treated to interactive events, music and autograph opportunities with select Rutgers football players. This is a FREE event, and all attendees receive a ticket to that evening’s Women’s Soccer game.
Members will also receive a membership booklet which they can get stamped at every Junior Knight game attended. For every five stamps a Junior Knight earns, they will receive a prize: 5 stamps= drawstring bag, 10 stamps= t-shirt, 15 stamps=hat. Junior Knights also get a free football ticket (this year it is to the home opener vs Howard on September 10th), and they receive a monthly eNewsletter with lots of info on all things Rutgers Athletics.
Our young Rutgers fan cheering on the football team
Low Cost Tickets, High Excitement Athletics
A definite benefit to Rutgers Athletics is the low cost! All Volleyball and Field Hockey games are free! If golf is your thing, this September look for the Men’s and Women’s golf tournaments which have free admission. Winter Swim and Dive meets are free, and in the Spring take your pick of Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Rowing, or Tennis – all free. Men’s and Women’s Soccer games are $5 for kids and seniors, but $7 for adults.
All teams are based at the New Brunswick campus, but games are played in Piscataway on Busch or Livingston campuses. There’s ample parking at all locations, and plenty of signage to get you around. Schedules can be found here.
Not too young for the Spring game!
Come out and support young athletes and you might see some impressive competition or even some future stars! Just be ready to wear red and cheer loud – bonus points for knowing the fight song!