Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs said that school officials are "in the process of inking a deal with a sponsor who will place a few boats in the open space beyond the end zone in the north end of High Point Solutions Stadium" for Rutgers' Sept. 1 game against Washington, according to Keith Sargeant of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. For many New Jerseyans, the Friday of Labor Day weekend "represents a travel day to the Jersey Shore." Hobbs said, "Let's have a party and kick off the Shore weekend at Rutgers. ... We have a little extra room there, so I think we're going to try to get several boats and have a little marina there." He added that it is an "homage to Washington's Husky Harbor." Kickoff for the season opener is set for 8:00pm ET, and Hobbs said that an FS1 crew "may stage a pregame show from one of the boats." As part of the "War before the Shore'' theme, Hobbs said that Adidas, the athletic program's new apparel supplier, will "give out beach towels to the first 5,000 students and there will a T-shirt giveaway as well" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/7).
INDUSTRY LEADER: Rutgers on Sunday unveiled the Marco Battaglia Practice Complex, the school's new $8.5M football practice facility. Hobbs said, "I am proud to unveil the best practice facility in professional or college football today." Hobbs: "This fall we want to be able to come out and make an announcement that we’re moving forward with a soccer and lacrosse (facility). That’s so important because it takes the teams out of the Hale Center and that gives us an opportunity to do something with our football locker rooms, which obviously for our football team, is the next step up.'' He added, "Facilities like this will help remove the doubt that’s existed with the Rutgers faithful about, 'Can you get things done?'" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 8/7).
