NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – Fans, friends and family gathered on the College Avenue Campus Tuesday afternoon as Anthony Ashnault, Nick Suriano and Rutgers wrestling head coach Scott Goodale rang the bell at Old Queens. The bell, gifted to the University from Colonel Henry Rutgers in 1826, is reserved to mark significant occasions universitywide.
The trio, along with Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs, addressed the crowd before heading inside with Rutgers University-New Brunswick Chancellor Christopher Molloy to partake in the historic tradition.
Ashnault and Suriano claimed the first individual national titles in program history last weekend at the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Pittsburgh, helping the Scarlet Knights to their first ever top-10 finish at the national tournament. The team performance earned Goodale Division I National Tournament Coach of the Year accolades.
"I want to thank everyone for coming out, this is pretty special," Goodale said as he addressed the crowd. "It was a magical weekend. There's no question about it. It was a magical weekend where all the stars aligned and some really good things happened."
"It's a blessing to be here at Rutgers," Suriano said. "I made the decision to come back home to New Jersey to represent my ability, my family and to get Rutgers where it needs to be from an athletic standpoint. I've had all of the support I needed to support my goals."
"I want to thank everyone for coming out," Ashnault said. "We're just really excited. I'm forever grateful for [Nick] coming to Rutgers. We fed off each other for the past two years while he's been here."
The Old Queens bell is a celebrated icon of the university's history. Before the university expanded beyond the Old Queens campus, the bell was rung to signal daily worship and the change of classes. As the university's footprint grew, the ringing of the bell took on new meaning and was reserved to mark significant occasions, including those of prized athletic success.
Teams to ring the bell for Rutgers Athletics through the years include the women's basketball team's AIAW National Championship in 1982 along with its Final Four appearances in 2000 and 2007. Football's undefeated teams in 1961 and 1976, as well as the 1976 men's basketball Final Four team have also rung the bell through the years.
The bell is also rung every year to mark commencement, welcome first-year students at the new student convocation and on Rutgers Day, the annual celebration of all things Rutgers.
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