NEWARK, NJ—The NJIT men's basketball program will play in the Wellness and Events Center (WEC) Inaugural collegiate game on Saturday, November 11 at 6pm when the Highlanders host the Seahawks from Wagner.

This will mark the first game outside the Fleisher Athletic Center for the men's basketball program, since the Highlanders concluded its 2016-17 campaign with a 17-point come-from-behind victory over ASUN Conference opponent USC Upstate on February 23, 2017.  NJIT finished 8-4 in its final season competing in the Fleisher Athletic Center.

"The men's basketball team is honored to play the inaugural game in the WEC," second-year head coach Brian Kennedy added.  "We are so thankful to President Bloom, the Board of Trustees and Board of Overseers, the entire NJIT Administration and Community of Newark for this fabulous opportunity.  The WEC represents a transcending time for all NJIT students and ties in so much with the new Life Sciences and Engineering Building, the beautiful re-construction of the historic Central King Building, The Albert Dorman Honors College and The Greek Village Complex.  NJIT students and student-athletes will experience a state-of-the-art athletics and recreation facility which will only enhance the overall experience of attending such a great academic institution for years to come."

Wellness and Events Center
The design of the three-story, 220,000-square-foot building features a number of flexible spaces that can be quickly configured to support the numerous and varied missions of the university community.

The WEC will accommodate the rapid growth of the school's athletic department, student body, and campus community.  In addition to a number of conference, academic, and community facilities, the building will house a first-class basketball arena, natatorium, locker rooms, indoor track, concessions, suites, offices, and a fitness center.

The 3,500 seat basketball arena will compare favorably with many Division I mid-major facilities throughout the country, allowing NJIT to continue to grow their men's and women's basketball programs.

"I am very excited for the opening of our new Wellness and Events Center," Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan added. "This facility has been in the works for quite some time as our old facility was small and outdated. The arena, surrounded by first class amenities for all our student-athletes including spacious locker-rooms, strength, rehabilitation, and hydrotherapy areas, as well as plenty of meeting and gathering space will make this one of the best mid major facilities in the region.  Other great spaces include enlarged fitness center, indoor turf area, extra basketball courts, and an eight-lane pool will allow for continued growth in our intramural and recreation program which includes students, staff and alumni.  On behalf of all the NJIT students, and especially our student-athletes, it's an exciting time to be a HIGHLANDER!!"

Inaugural Game on ESPN3
The game can be seen on ESPN3 (all NJIT basketball games can be seen on ESPN3).

A simple way to find ESPN3 is on NJIT's official athletics website, www.njithighlanders.com. Near the middle of the home page NJIT TV section, click Upcoming Events for a list of scheduled NJIT contests. After finding the event, click the camera icon to the right of the event listing. That brings you to an ESPN3 portal where you can access the desired program.

Matt Provence, the voice of the Highlanders, will be on play-by-play with expert analysis from Rob Kennedy.

All-Time Series vs. Wagner
The Highlanders and Seahawks will play each other for the 20^th time in program history in the new state-of-the-art venue.

NJIT holds a 16-3 all-time record against Wagner; 2-1 since competing at the Division I level (first season 2006-07).  The two teams met twice in 2009 with the Highlanders coming out on top 56-51 on November 24 in Newark and 65-56 on December 28 in Staten Island, NY.  Wagner last won on December 28, 2008 in Newark, 68-58.

Top Moments in the Fleisher Athletic Center
--Men's Basketball first CollegeInsider.com Tournament win in front of a standing only crowd vs. New Hampshire on March 16, 2015 | NJIT 84, UNH 77

--Women's Basketball first all-time win in the ASUN Conference against Lipscomb, 61-51, on February 4, 2016

--The 2009 Women's Volleyball team went 17-2 overall (7-2 in the FAC); the 17 wins are second all-time in the NJIT D1 era

--NJIT Men's Volleyball team defeating Penn State, 3-1, on February 19, 1999

NJIT and ASUN Conference
July 1, 2015 will go down as one of the most important days in the history of athletics at NJIT.

On that day, NJIT formally became a full member of the ASUN Conference, giving a Division I Conference home for Highlander Intercollegiate sports.

For NJIT, which began the transition to NCAA Division I in 2003-04, becoming a championship eligible member of the NCAA's highest level on September 9, 2009, membership in the ASUN offers the University's student-athletes full Division I experience for the first time.

Tickets
NJIT fans have the opportunity to reserve premier seating in the WEC for all 16 Men's Basketball home games by purchasing Full Season Ticket Packages; including primetime center court premium seating or other great locations in our lower bowl seating to be right on top of the action at www.NJITTix.com.

Promotional Giveaway
Official Inaugural season t-shirts will be given away to the first 500 fans, including NJIT Highlander Foam Fingers and Swords.

For NJIT students, Residence Life will host a Pep Rally prior to the game on November 11 from 4:30pm-5:30pm held in the Fleisher Athletic Center gymnasium. 

Students will have a chance to win four tickets to sit in a reserved section for the inaugural season game vs. Wagner; half-court shot for free tuition and NJIT Highlander Apparel Giveaways.

We Are Social
For updates and to follow NJIT Highlander Athletics, please visit www.NJITHighlanders.com, like NJIT Highlanders Athletics on Facebook, www.facebook.com/njithighlanderathletics , or follow the NJIT Highlander on Twitter and Instagram, @njithighlanders and find the NJIT Highlander on SnapChat.