Assembly Resolution Honors Rutgers Football Team; University hosts Coach's Reception to thank supporters
President Richard L. McCormick, Athletic Director Robert E. Mulcahy III, Schiano, and several players represented Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Trenton today when Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. congratulated the Scarlet Knights on the most successful season in the programs 137-year history with a resolution from the General Assembly.
Prior to the resolutions presentation in the Assembly Chambers, Rutgers thanked legislators and officials with a Coachs Reception in the State Welcome Center in the State House Annex. Among invited guests were U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, Gov. Jon S. Corzine, Roberts and Senate President Richard J. Codey. Each received an autographed football.
Our states leaders rooted hard for the Scarlet Knights in word and deed, McCormick said. We salute Governor Corzine and Senate President Codey for their sideline support and Senator Lautenberg for helping more viewers see the Texas Bowl. Today, we also thank Speaker Roberts and his Assembly colleagues especially Chivukula, Stanley, Diegnan, Burzichelli, Van Drew, and Bateman for honoring Coach Schiano and his remarkable team.
Roberts saw fit to place Schiano in some lofty company. Greg Schiano has become as much a part of New Jersey as Bruce Springsteen and diners, and the status of the Rutgers football program is quickly rising up alongside Notre Dame and Penn State, Roberts said. The can-do attitude exhibited by the Rutgers football team this season captivated the state and made New Jersey proud.
On behalf of the Rutgers football team, I would like to thank Speaker Roberts and the sponsors of the resolution, Schiano said. It is thrilling to see the support from the entire state of New Jersey surrounding Rutgers football.
Ray Rice, Joe Radigan, Sam Johnson and Nkosi Remy were among the players on hand.
Rutgers was one of only 14 teams in the nation to record 11 or more victories during the 2006 season. The 11 wins tied a single-season record for the Scarlet Knights and enabled them to become only the fifth team in Big East Conference history to reach that figure in a given year. The team was ranked No. 12 in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the USA Today/Coaches Top 25 polls. The final No. 12 ranking is highest in the universitys history, eclipsing its No. 15 standing in the final Associated Press poll in 1961.
Schiano has been recognized as the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year, the FWAA/Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, the Walter Camp Football Foundation Coach of the Year, the Big East Conference Coach of the Year, and the Home Depot National Coach of the Year.
Contact: Steve Manas
732-932-7084, ext. 612
E-mail:smanas@ur.rutgers.edu