Rutgers Reaches Out to Fans for Arena Input

The Rutgers Athletic Department is reaching out to the fans for input on renovations to Jersey Mike's Arena.

In a story published by NJ.com, Rutgers sent out a survey to season and single-game ticket holders about the arena's new look. According to Athletic Director Pat Hobbs, the goal is to "have everything done" for the 2025-26 winter sports season.

“Before the architects go forward, they need to get some feedback from our fanbase about what they want," Hobbs to NJ.com. "We already know what they want: don’t change the atmosphere. We’re not going to change the atmosphere. We’re going to maintain the atmosphere, but folks know we need better concourses. We need more concessions. We need premium seating. We need a few more bathrooms — maybe four times what we have now.”

Rutgers is hoping to create a 360 degree open concourse that will contain a new external lobby. There would also be updates to the concourse, club level and priority level seating and various other upgrades.

Hobbs added that the focus for the Athletic Department is to do something with Jersey Mike's Arena rather than build an entirely new facility.

AECOM is the architectural firm spearheading the project.

Rutgers expects to gather results from the survey and present its final renderings to University President Jonathan Holloway and the Board of Governors during their annual summer meeting, which is currently scheduled for June 20, 2024.

Formally known as the RAC (Rutgers Athletic Center), Rutgers signed a 20-year naming rights deal with Jersey Mike's.  The Arena has been the home to Rutgers men's, women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, and wrestling.

Prior to sitting at the table and indulging in an extravagant meal, it has become a tradition in many communities to partake in the annual Thanksgiving 5K. Perhaps you have to earn your forthcoming calorie intake! The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot race is also where you find four extraordinary kinds of people who enter this road race for very different purposes.

To take an overarching look at this holiday, Thanksgiving offers a coming home of all sorts. College students return to their stomping grounds to showcase how cool they have gotten in a matter of weeks. The person who you once knew as the quietest person in the room, is now a candidate for the loudest. Then, you have those who partied a bit too much the night before, and have no business running down the block, much less in a "race." In fact, they may not even remember they were in just a few short hours. Let's not forget those that also believe the Turkey Trot is a performance stage. Whether it's to flex your running skills or outfit skills, clearly this race is for all eyes to be on you.

Yes, much of this feature is tongue-in-cheek. However, most of these Thanksgiving 5k races take place within a tight-knit neighborly community. Furthermore, in the spirit of giving, often they benefit a great cause. For example, it can be a local non-profit, or as a benefit in the honor of a local hero. Still many participants show up to have a fun time. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. Yet, let's not lose sight of the hard work organizers put forth in an effort to achieve a goal. Ultimately, that is to impact something near-and-dear to your area.

In no particular order, here are the four types of people you will run, bump, stumble into, or hide from at this year's Thanksgiving Turkey Trot.

Here is the spectacle runner, who is decked out in a giant turkey costume. They can't breathe let alone run, but they certainly can waddle. If this person finishes actually runs and finishes the race, it is usually by Christmas time. Nonetheless, you must respect the fact that lots of thought and deliberation went into this decision. It may even take longer for the person to get properly fitted in the morning to get ready for the trot than it does for the actual turkey to cook.

With all due respect, this runner is there an hour early stretching, even though they already completely stretched at home prior to eating a full protein breakfast. This participant is fully rested, fully hydrated, and plans to smoke you like you are the turkey. Furthermore, while you are trucking through the first mile, gasping for breath, this runner is going to pass, but going the other direction. That is because this person finished the race already and is simply running back to the starting line as their "cool down." We get it, your cross-country skills are superhuman, and you now own the Turkey Trot best time. Just don't be the person that beats the day's honoree.

It's common knowledge that the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest party nights on the planet. It's a special occasion where people come out of the woodwork and return to their hometown. The local pubs may make their annual quota based on Thanksgiving Eve sales. It's great fun for sure, as long you have a responsible ride home. For some though, they have not even been home yet. It's much more convenient to walk two blocks to the left to the downtown starting line at sunrise than it is to trek a half of a mile down Main Street to sleep it off for a few hours. This person looks and smells like the party. If there are woods adjacent to the 5k running route, you will usually find this runner in there immediately.

Many towns that host Thanksgiving races are deep with tradition and local history. The families that call this place home often go back generations. Somehow, your grandmother had the same 4th grade teacher that your daughter currently has. The socialite is there to talk to everyone. They are in full-blown campaign mode, yet they are not running for anything. They simply love everything that has to do with their hometown and their mission for Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, is to see literally everyone, and spread some spirit. You have to respect that.