Earl Leslie was never confused with being a visionary or some sort of prophet. No, he was a coach of three different sports for men at Montclair State Teachers College when he took over the “Big Red” intercollegiate athletic teams in 1930. But at that time, he began to notice the growing trend in athletics at the Montclair school and had this to say…

“We may confidently look forward to greater and better teams in keeping with the rapidly growing college.” He could not have been more correct. The athletic department of Montclair State has evolved into one of the most successful and respected programs in the state of New Jersey, and in the nation. Those three sports that Leslie coached in the small Teachers College, have grown – like the university – into 17 sports for men and women. Also during that time, the “Big Red” has become “Red Hawks”, but one thing that has remained constant is success. To date, Montclair State has captured five NCAA Division III national championships and has seen over 250 of its athletes named All-Americans.

Carol Blazejowski MSU's All-Time Leading Scorer

Sports traditions here can be traced to the early years of the 1930’s and 40’s, when legendary coach Chett Pittser roamed the sidelines of football games, and the basketball and baseball teams began to make winning a habit. But perhaps, if one had to pinpoint a space in time when Montclair State began to separate in excellence, it was back in 1978. It came when the women’s basketball team, led by Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Carol Blazejowski, reached the destination strived for by all basketball teams, the Final Four. Blazejowski, part of the 1980 Olympic Team and the first athlete at the University to have her jersey retired, scored over 3,100 points in her brilliant career here, the most by any collegiate player, male or female, at the time of her graduation. There was also the late Sam Mills, a small, stocky linebacker on the football team in the early 1980’s who simply shattered most of the school’s defensive football records. Mills went on to a career in the United States Football League, and then went to the NFL to play for the New Orleans Saints where he became an All-Pro linebacker. His jersey was the second jersey to become framed in honor. Mills was a starting member of the Carolina Panthers that played in 1997 NFC Championship game.

When speaking of national recognition, one cannot overlook the national championships enjoyed by Montclair State. The baseball team added to the list in the Spring of 2000 capturing its third NCAA crown to go along with ones in 1987 and 1993. Meanwhile the MSU wrestling team, winners of national championships in 1976 and 1986, continued its excellence on the national level, extending the list of NCAA individual champions to a record 28 this past year. Each year, almost every MSU sport contends for NCAA regional and national titles, a degree of excellence to which few universities can attest. In the competitive and highly regarded New Jersey Athletic Conference, it is rare to find any MSU sport not contending for a conference crown. The Montclair State Department of Athletics is unique as it not only produces exceptional teams and student-athletes each season, it is unique in its administrative and academic support. With over 400 student athletes, Montclair boasts one of the best athletic training programs in the state, and an award-winning Office of Sports Information. There is also constant academic monitoring through the Academic Advising program, which provides athletes with many services such as individual or group advising sessions and study halls.

Other programs at Montclair State are just not available anywhere else. Global Missions program is one, where the University and the athletic department are committed to global education. So far, eight MSU teams have traveled overseas for educational and competitive experiences. Computerization of the department sits on the cutting edge as well, with advanced hardware and software applications for the production of media materials, academic monitoring and recruiting. The Montclair State Athletics Home Page, available on the World Wide Web, is one of the best at this level. And the creation of Red Hawk Pride, the marketing, fund-raising and alumni component of the department, provide many events and opportunities for outside companies and friends to become involved. One of the largest Division III golf tournaments in the state is the Montclair State Golf Classic, now celebrating its 15th year.

Like the University, the Department of Athletics is preparing for the future and the challenges ahead. One example is the recent completion of an athletic facilities master plan, and the aggressive pursuit of modern facilities for our student-athletes and the entire University community. These plans include the highly publicized Yogi Berra Stadium, which been has home to Red Hawk baseball since 1999.

Sprague Field Home of the MSU Football, Soccer, Lacrosse and Field Hockey Teams

These are just a few of the many examples that will help MSU Athletics continue to move forward to maintain its excellence and strive to preserve its leadership role within intercollegiate athletics at a local, regional and national level in the future.