Point By Point | NJIT Magazine

Through Partnership, Baseball Finds New Home

Montclair State University and NJIT partnered to renovate Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair, N.J. and create a shared home field for their baseball teams.

The $5.3 million in renovations — including new turf, new bullpens and batting cages, upgrades to the dugouts and locker rooms — enables the stadium to host conference and NCAA baseball tournaments and other high-profile events.

“We are proud to embark on this initiative with NJIT to not only revitalize one of the crown jewels of New Jersey baseball, but to provide what we hope can be a new model for how colleges and universities can work together,” Montclair State President Jonathan Koppell said.

NJIT President Teik C. Lim described the effort as an “outstanding example of institutions working together and sharing resources to address a need and develop a mutually beneficial partnership that serves our students.”

NJIT competes in theNCAA Division I America East Conference and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, winning its first NCAA Tournament game. Montclair State’s Division III program won national titles in 1987, 1993 and 2000 and has reached the NCAA Tournament 15 times.

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Women’s Basketball Welcomes Five Standouts

Five standouts from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey will join the NJIT women’s basketball team for the 2024-25 season. “These five players improve our overall versatility, basketball IQ and bounciness,” said Head Coach Mike Lane. “They understand the exceptional value of a degree from NJIT and look to move our women’s basketball program forward in the America East!” Here’s a closer look at the newcomers.

Mayah Alford, Guard, Levittown, Pa.

At Trenton Catholic Preparatory Academy in Hamilton, N.J., Alford earned All-League and All-Area second-team honors. She plans to major in business administration.

Allison Cannon, Guard, Holmdel, N.J.

Cannon, a 5-foot-9 guard, helped Holmdel High School win a division title in 2023, when she earned the distinction of Most Improved Player. She plans to major in biology.

Piper Engelby, Guard, Andover, Minn.

At Andover High School, Engelby earned NWSC All-Conference honors and, as a junior, led her team in four categories: field goal percentage, three-point percentage, steals and assists. She plans to major in biology in a pre-med track.

Olivia Kulyk, Guard, Edinboro, Pa.

At Mercyhurst Preparatory School in Erie, Pa., Kulyk was named Region Player of the Year, All-Region first team and All-District 10 first team when her team won the 2023 District 10 Championship. She’s also expected
to major in biology.

Olivia O’Meally, Forward, Niskayuna, N.Y.

O’Meally, a 6-foot forward, attended Niskayuna High School and played AAU for coach Terrence Florence. Like many of the other newcomers, she’ll study biology.

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