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In the first such meeting between the two
conferences, the NJAC Women's and Men's Basketball Seniors will face their
counterparts in the Skyline Conference in the inaugural NJAC-Skyline
Senior Basketball Games to be held at New Jersey City University on March
22. The women's game will tip-off at NJCU's John J.
Moore
Athletics Center at
6:00 PM, followed by the men's game at 8:00 PM.
Admission to both contests is free.
Both teams will consist solely of senior players who have exhausted their
collegiate basketball eligibility. The purpose of the games is to give
conference rivals - many of whom have competed against each other for four
seasons - the opportunity to participate on the same team for one
contest.
For the past five years, the NJAC Seniors had competed against their
counterparts in the City University of New York Athletic Conference. This
year's contests will mark the first of at least two meetings between the
NJAC and Skyline Seniors, with the 2007 contests to be held at a Skyline
Conference institution.
All of the NJAC and Skyline Women's Basketball teams are aligned in the
NCAA Division III Atlantic Region. During the 2005-06 regular season, NJAC
and Skyline women's squads met seven times in head-to-head match-ups, with
the Skyline holding a 4-3 edge in those contests. In four postseason
meetings between the two leagues, the Skyline posted a 3-1 record,
highlighted by
Farmingdale
State's three-game run to the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament Championship
with wins over Rutgers-Newark, Montclair State and Kean.
The NJAC and Skyline Men's Basketball teams are also aligned in the NCAA
Division III Atlantic Region. During the 2005-06 regular season, teams
from the two leagues met seven times in head-to-head match-ups, with the
NJAC holding a 6-1 edge in those contests. In two postseason meetings
between the two conferences, each recorded one victory in the first round
of the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament as Kean defeated Manhattanville, while
Mt.
St. Mary defeated Rutgers-Newark.
As of Mach 17, 12 NJAC Senior Women's players have committed to
participate in the contest, including five players who garnered
all-conference honors in 2005-06. The NJAC Women's Team will be coached by
the league's Co-Coaches of the Year - Beth O'Boyle from
Montclair
State and Kevin Morris from Rutgers-Newark.
The Skyline Senior Women’s team will consist of 13 players, including five
players who garnered all-conference honors in 2005-06. The Skyline Women’s
Team will be coached by
Mt. St. Mary’s J. Randall Ognibene, who was selected as
conference Coach of the Year by his peers after guiding his Blue Knight
squad to the 2005-06 Skyline Championship.
On the men's
side, 16 NJAC Senior players have committed to compete in the contest,
including eight players who garnered all-conference honors in 2005-06. The
NJAC Men's Team will be coached by TCNJ's John Castaldo, the NJAC Coach of
the Year as selected by his peers.
The Skyline Men’s team will consist of 15 participants, including eight
players who garnered all-conference honors in 2005-06. The Skyline Men
will be coached by
Farmingdale
State’s Erik
Smiles, who guided the Rams to the 2005-06 Skyline Championship en route
to being named the Skyline Coach of the Year by his peers.
Both games will be played under standard NCAA rules, with two slight
modifications in the men's game. The men's game will feature four
12-minute quarters as opposed to the traditional two 20-minute halves. In
addition, the team foul totals will be reset at the conclusion of each of
the first three quarters of play in the men’s game.
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Driving Directions to New Jersey City University:
From New York City (Holland Tunnel)
After exiting the Holland Tunnel, go straight and up the hill. Maneuver
yourself into the center lanes (an exit from the Turnpike will be on the
right; then an exit for Routes 1 & 9 will be on your left). Continue
through approximately seven lights. You will enter Journal Square. Follow
Kennedy Boulevard as it turns right at Journal Square. Continue on Kennedy
Boulevard to the University.
From the New Jersey Turnpike
Take the New Jersey
Turnpike to Exit 15E (Newark/Jersey City). Pay toll, and follow signs to
Routes 1 & 9 North (Truck Route). Cross over two drawbridges and move into
the right lane after the second bridge. Exit onto Route 440 South and
proceed through three traffic lights to the jug handle for Culver Avenue.
Follow Culver Avenue straight for two lights. At the second light (West
Side Avenue), make a right and then a quick left to remain on Culver. The
Athletic & Fitness Center will be on the left just past the Miss America
Diner.
From Routes 78, 1 & 9
Take Route 78 East to Routes 1 & 9 North. Route 1 & 9 will split. Stay to
the right (1 & 9 North Truck Route). Do not go to the Pulaski Skyway. Take
1 & 9 over two bridges to a traffic light. Stay straight at the light.
After the McDonald's (on the right hand side) go to the 2nd traffic light
and make a right turn on Kennedy Boulevard. NJCU is 12 blocks down on the
right hand side.
From Garden State Parkway (Northbound)
Take the GSP North to Exit 140, Route 22 East. Take 22 East to Routes 1 &
9 North. Follow directions above from Routes 1 & 9.
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