Rowan has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2003 New Jersey Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship in a poll completed by the head coaches around the league. The Profs, who finished first last season in the regular season but fell to The College of New Jersey in the first round of the NJAC Tournament, will be seeking their 12th NJAC championship since the conference's inception in 1959.

Under the direction of 28th-year head coach Dan Gilmore, Rowan has posted a record of 437-100-38. The Profs return four 2002 All-Conference team members in midfielders David Halliwell and Tim Babbitt, and defenders Rich Dominiak and Nick Martinelli, the 2002 NJAC Rookie of the Year.

Richard Stockton, who captured its second consecutive NJAC championship last season, finished second in the poll. The Ospreys return four 2002 NJAC All-Conference team members in defenders Tom Ferron and Mike Muckley, and midfielders Jamie Nelson and Ken Masuhr. 
 
Rounding out the rest of the top finishers in the preseason poll are Kean in third, Montclair State in fourth, New Jersey City in fifth, TCNJ in sixth, Ramapo in seventh, William Paterson in eighth, Rutgers-Camden in ninth, and Rutgers-Newark in 10th.

Conference play in the NJAC will begin on September 17 when Kean hosts Ramapo and conference dark horse selection NJCU hosts Richard Stockton. The regular season will end on November 1 with all 10 teams in action.

The New Jersey Athletic Conference has expanded its postseason men's soccer tournament to include participation by the top six finishers in the regular season. The number one and two-seeded teams will receive first round byes.

The first round of the 2002 NJAC Championship Tournament will kickoff on November 4. The tournament semifinals will take place on November 6, and the 2003 NJAC champion will be crowned at the conference championship match on November 8. All tournament matches are held at the site of the highest seed. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.