2021 Rutgers Making a Champion Guide

Recruitment of student-athletes Staff attraction/retention 95% 78% Staff said the design of the APC has a “Good” or “Very Good” impact on… 69% of student-athletes said the APC was influential to their decision to attend Rutgers University 95% of student-athletes said they believe the APC will encourage future student- athletes to choose to attend Rutgers “Last year, we had our best freshman recruiting class; and I’d give 95% of the credit to this building.” Steve Pikiell, Men’s Basketball Coach The new APC hasn’t gone unnoticed by Rutgers’ peers in the Big Ten, either. For instance, Rutgers’ gymnastics facilities had previously been considered among the worst in the Big Ten, said Coach Salim-Beasley. However, she went on to say that “now that we have the APC, we can say we have one of the best.” The building acts as a physical manifestation of the quality of and the university’s commitment to the athletics program. Some coaches said that, before, critics would question Rutgers University’s commitment to their athletics program; now, there is no question. The APC has also brought with it a change in attitude. It has become the benchmark in elite intercollegiate practice facilities and now fosters a culture of winning. Further, as a state school, the excellence of the APC and the programs it hosts doesn’t just speak to student-athletes and alumni, but to the State of New Jersey and the way it is represented. As explained by Coach Stringer, “The people of this state must feel really proud. This facility is second to none; and that’s what should be happening here.” 29 Perkins Eastman