Garden State Hardwood Classic Sold Out
Dec 09 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY - Rutgers Athletics announced today that the annual Garden State Hardwood Classic men's basketball game between Rutgers and Seton Hall at the RAC on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 12 noon is sold out to the general public. All fans are encouraged to wear scarlet to the rivalry contest, which will mark the 69th meeting between the schools since 1916.
"This is exactly the way it should be, Rutgers and Seton Hall, a packed RAC, with bragging rights for the year at stake," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs. "Everyone is excited for this great Jersey rivalry. I know I can't wait."
Rutgers students can still acquire tickets for the much-anticipated contest by clicking here. Tickets are going fast, so students are strongly encouraged to enter their claim in order to guarantee a seat.
All fans seated in the lower bowl that day will receive complimentary glow sticks, with students also receiving rally towels. One Rutgers student will have the opportunity to win $25,000 by making a half-court shot during a second half media timeout. The contest also marks the fourth Greek Game of the season. Direct weekend shuttles will be available for students from the Busch Campus Center, Cook Recreation Center and Brower Commons two hours prior and after the game. Drums of Thunder, a percussion ensemble comprised of fourth and fifth graders from Hillside Elementary School, will perform at halftime.
The Rutgers and Seton Hall Army ROTC programs will run the game ball from South Orange to the RAC on gameday with the help of state police. The run will unfold as a relay, with groups of four (two cadets from each school) traveling four miles each. All 20 cadets will participate in the final 1.6 miles. The game ball will be delivered beforehand to Hobbs, who has served in leadership roles at both schools and was instrumental in the hiring of each head coach.
The sellout marks the first at the RAC since the Scarlet Knights hosted Ohio State on Feb. 8, 2015 and the first against Seton Hall in Piscataway since Feb. 12, 2011.
The winner will be awarded the #GSHClassic Trophy. The perpetual trophy is constructed primarily from recycled Asbury Park boardwalk planks, which were retrieved during a re-decking after Superstorm Sandy. The official logo of the Garden State Hardwood Classic, which was conceived and created by former Seton Hall women's soccer student-athlete Peggy Nicolle, adorns the base. New Jersey resident Colin Pezzano constructed the trophy, which stands 32 inches tall and weighs 33 pounds, in a workshop on a farm in Cumberland County, N.J.
This year's contest is the fifth in an eight-year agreement to continue the series at alternating home sites through 2020. Seton Hall holds a 39-29 advantage, including four straight victories. The Pirates won the last three match-ups by double digits, but 18 of the 20 prior meetings were decided by six points or less or in overtime. The teams have played 54 times since 1974-75 and have met every season since 1995-96.
The Garden State Hardwood Classic will be televised live nationally on BTN.
Single game tickets for the other 11 remaining men's basketball home games are available online or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase flex ticket plans or a "Pikiell's Presents" package. Flex ticket plans enable fans to select any four games from the home schedule to create their own package. "Pikiell's Presents" includes two section 110 tickets to the games versus Stony Brook (Dec. 22) and Hartford (Dec. 28), along with two food vouchers per game and ugly holiday sweater t-shirts.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.
"This is exactly the way it should be, Rutgers and Seton Hall, a packed RAC, with bragging rights for the year at stake," said Rutgers Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs. "Everyone is excited for this great Jersey rivalry. I know I can't wait."
Rutgers students can still acquire tickets for the much-anticipated contest by clicking here. Tickets are going fast, so students are strongly encouraged to enter their claim in order to guarantee a seat.
All fans seated in the lower bowl that day will receive complimentary glow sticks, with students also receiving rally towels. One Rutgers student will have the opportunity to win $25,000 by making a half-court shot during a second half media timeout. The contest also marks the fourth Greek Game of the season. Direct weekend shuttles will be available for students from the Busch Campus Center, Cook Recreation Center and Brower Commons two hours prior and after the game. Drums of Thunder, a percussion ensemble comprised of fourth and fifth graders from Hillside Elementary School, will perform at halftime.
The Rutgers and Seton Hall Army ROTC programs will run the game ball from South Orange to the RAC on gameday with the help of state police. The run will unfold as a relay, with groups of four (two cadets from each school) traveling four miles each. All 20 cadets will participate in the final 1.6 miles. The game ball will be delivered beforehand to Hobbs, who has served in leadership roles at both schools and was instrumental in the hiring of each head coach.
The sellout marks the first at the RAC since the Scarlet Knights hosted Ohio State on Feb. 8, 2015 and the first against Seton Hall in Piscataway since Feb. 12, 2011.
The winner will be awarded the #GSHClassic Trophy. The perpetual trophy is constructed primarily from recycled Asbury Park boardwalk planks, which were retrieved during a re-decking after Superstorm Sandy. The official logo of the Garden State Hardwood Classic, which was conceived and created by former Seton Hall women's soccer student-athlete Peggy Nicolle, adorns the base. New Jersey resident Colin Pezzano constructed the trophy, which stands 32 inches tall and weighs 33 pounds, in a workshop on a farm in Cumberland County, N.J.
This year's contest is the fifth in an eight-year agreement to continue the series at alternating home sites through 2020. Seton Hall holds a 39-29 advantage, including four straight victories. The Pirates won the last three match-ups by double digits, but 18 of the 20 prior meetings were decided by six points or less or in overtime. The teams have played 54 times since 1974-75 and have met every season since 1995-96.
The Garden State Hardwood Classic will be televised live nationally on BTN.
Single game tickets for the other 11 remaining men's basketball home games are available online or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans also have the opportunity to purchase flex ticket plans or a "Pikiell's Presents" package. Flex ticket plans enable fans to select any four games from the home schedule to create their own package. "Pikiell's Presents" includes two section 110 tickets to the games versus Stony Brook (Dec. 22) and Hartford (Dec. 28), along with two food vouchers per game and ugly holiday sweater t-shirts.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.
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