Featured image credit: Rutgers Athletics
The Rutgers Athletics division of Rutgers University has entered into a partnership with Middlesex County that will see the Scarlet Knight baseball program utilise a stadium that is due to be developed on the campus of Middlesex College.
Middlesex is the largest feeder college to Rutgers and the partnership will extend to enhanced access to the latter’s curricula, mentorship opportunities, and the potential for expanded shared educational programming.
The new multi-purpose venue will be in Edison – roughly 15 minutes from the team’s existing facility on Livingston campus. From the 2026 season, it will serve as the home venue for select series and games for the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers will continue to utilise Bainton Field and its on-campus facilities at Jersey Mike’s Arena, adding that the new venue will have no effect on planned upgrades to Bainton Field and on-campus facilities for the baseball program.
In addition to welcoming Rutgers Athletics as the newest partner to the County’s $250m (£195.6m/€227.7m) CIO Strategic Investment Plan, County officials also highlighted substantial enhancements to the Multipurpose Community Venue.
The $70m venue, to be financed with state, county and federal funds, will boast dedicated Rutgers amenities, including well-equipped locker rooms, air-conditioned batting and pitching tunnels, and top-tier broadcast streaming capabilities.
These enhancements will not only provide support to Rutgers baseball and meet the athletic standards of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Big Ten Conference, but also seek to position Middlesex County and its college as a premier destination for sports and recreation in New Jersey and the region.
“Our deep relationship with Rutgers University continues to grow and strengthen with this new partnership with Rutgers Athletics,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director, Ronald G. Rios.
“The County’s strong fiscal position, coupled with the opportunity of significant state and federal investment in the CIO Strategic Investment Plan, gives us the advantage to seize crucial opportunities like this for the benefit of our residents and partners like Rutgers University. This is just the beginning of many more transformative and innovative changes at Middlesex College and in our County.”
Rutgers athletic director, Pat Hobbs, added: “This new chapter with Middlesex County will only help coach (Steve) Owens and his team continue their pursuit of Big Ten championships and more. We will continue to explore other ways we can partner with the County, but this is a great first step.”
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