"The entire University takes great pride in the presence of Yogi Berra Baseball Stadium and the Yogi Berra Museum on our campus," said Dr. Susan A. Cole, president of MSU. "The stadium provides a superb facility for the University's Division III baseball team, the Red Hawks, and for the minor league New Jersey Jackals. It permits the University to share the enjoyment of our national sport with the northern New Jersey community and the nearby metro region.
"The Yogi Berra Museum honors an individual who has become a true American legend, not only for his spectacular baseball feats, but for his staunch community support, his charitable initiatives and his uncompromising sense of honor and duty. The Yogi Berra Museum provides visitors to the University with a personal window on an important aspect of American history and culture."
Cole noted that the museum will also provide exciting new educational opportunities for MSU students and faculty, for New Jersey citizens and for visitors to the state.
"Some of the projects the University is currently exploring with the Museum include student internships, film and lecture series, educational outreach programs for disabled and disadvantaged youth, participation by MSU computer science students in creating 'hands-on' displays that appeal to youngsters and collaborations between University faculty and Museum staff," Cole said.
Cole noted that cooperation was the key to the project's success.
"This valuable new addition to our University provides many opportunities for an educational partnership and would not have been possible without the combined efforts and contributions of the state of New Jersey, Floyd Hall Enterprises, the Friends of Yogi, Montclair State University and Yogi Berra and his family.
"Because all parties involved took Yogi's advice, 'When you come to the fork in the road, take it,' we were able to work together to turn our dreams into this splendid museum and baseball complex. Take a look around: You will not only like what you see, you will be amazed by what you learn."
MSU is located at the intersection of Valley Road and Normal Avenue in Upper Montclair. The campus is one mile south of the junction of routes 3 and 46, 14 miles west of New York City.
More information on the University is available on its website: www.montclair.edu.
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