Garden State Hardwood Classic Trophy Unveiled
Dec 03 | Men's Basketball
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EDISON, N.J. (December 3, 2014) - The Rutgers University and Seton Hall University Departments of Intercollegiate Athletics today unveiled the perpetual trophy that will be bestowed upon the winning team annually in the "Garden State Hardwood Classic." The trophy was unveiled at a media conference held Wednesday at the Skylark Diner in Edison, N.J.
The trophy is constructed primarily from recycled Asbury Park boardwalk planks, which were retrieved during a re-decking after Superstorm Sandy. The trophy topper is formed in the state of New Jersey with the base mimicking the form and texture of a basketball. "1916" is branded on the topper, which signifies the year of the initial meeting between the schools on the hardwood. The athletics logos are hand painted on the topper at their geographic locations. The official logo of the Garden State Hardwood Classic, which was conceived and created by Seton Hall women's soccer student-athlete Peggy Nicolle, adorns the base.
The trophy stands 32 inches tall and weighs 33 pounds.
New Jersey resident Colin Pezzano, a 2014 graduate of the University of the Arts, created the one-of-a-kind award. The trophy was constructed in a workshop on a farm in Cumberland County, N.J.
Rutgers and Seton Hall have met 65 times meeting on the collegiate hardwood dating to 1916, with Seton Hall holding a 36-29 advantage in victories. Eighteen of the last 20 meetings have been decided by six points or less or in overtime. The teams have played 51 times since 1974-75 and have met every season since 1995-96. The Pirates captured last season's match-up, 77-71, at the RAC, but the Scarlet Knights have won three of the last four meetings. Rutgers Head Coach Eddie Jordan competed in the series as a player and helped RU to a 2-1 mark in those contests.
The Joe Calabrese Award, named in honor of the late sportswriter who covered the series extensively, will continue to be presented to the game's most valuable player post-game.
This season's game will tip-off at 12 noon this Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark. This year's contest is the second in an eight-year agreement to continue the series at alternating home sites through 2020. The home arenas for Rutgers and Seton Hall, dubbed the "RAC" and the "Rock" respectively, are separated by an approximate 27-mile drive.
