NEWARK, NJ–Lenny Kaplan, who has headed New Jersey Institute of Technology's division of physical education and athletics since August 2000, has been promoted to the new title of Vice President/Director of Athletics.
Kaplan has been instrumental in guiding the program's growth, first at the NCAA Division II level and, since late 2002, in its successful reclassification to NCAA Division I.
A highlight in Kaplan's career was being named Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 2018 and in September 2015, he was lauded at the annual Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Honors Luncheon as one of two named Administrator of the Year in Division I.
Throughout Kaplan's tenure, NJIT has enhanced the athletics program, particularly in areas that benefit the student-athletes directly. Today, NJIT's sports offerings have expanded from nine sports and 125 athletes in 2000 to the current 19 varsity programs and over 325 athletes.
NJIT's growing success in Division I competition has been accompanied by a continued commitment to excellence in the university's rigorous academic environment. The combined grade point average of Highlander student-athletes has been above 3.0 for 33 straight semesters through Spring 2025.
In the classroom, 229 student-athletes were named to the America East Conference Honor Roll, 13 Highlanders were named to the 2024-25 America East Presidential Scholar-Athletes, 13 teams were recognized as All-Academic teams by their National governing bodies and eight Highlander programs received NCAA Academic Performance Public Recognition.
The NJIT Highlander student-athletes remain active in the Newark and local community logging over 3000 community service hours annually.
Kaplan's tenure at NJIT has seen growth in the institution and in its athletics program on multiple fronts. In September 2023, NJIT and Montclair State partnered to renovate Yogi Berra Stadium, part of a multi-million dollar collaboration that provides a home field for both NCAA baseball programs. In the Fall 2019, Highlanders Athletics entered a new era after the completion of its highly anticipated outdoor multipurpose facility, Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. The state-of-the-art facility is home for NJIT men's and women's soccer and men's lacrosse programs. When paired with the $102 million on-campus facility, the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center, it gives the Highlanders one of the elite athletic venues in the Northeast.
For over 20 years, Kaplan has coordinated the Highlander Athletics Golf Outing, raising over $1.5 million towards scholarships and operations for Athletics. He has helped guide and complete a $5 million campaign focused on Athletics and took part in a University-Wide $150 million NJIT Next Campaign. In addition, Kaplan established the Highlander Athletics Fund, launched the Kilted Club for Alumni Athletes and increased endowment for Athletic Scholarships to over $5 million.
Before coming to NJIT, Kaplan served 11 years at Manhattan College, where he began as Manhattan's director of operations and was assistant athletics director from 1991-2000.
