Longstanding New Jersey wrestling rivals Rutgers and Princeton will add a new chapter to their history at the first ever “Battle at the Birthplace”, presented by Autoland, on Saturday, Nov. 19 inside High Point Solutions Stadium, announced Monday by Rutgers Athletics. The historic dual-meet event will occur at 11 a.m. prior to Rutgers football versus Penn State in the evening, as the Scarlet Knights look to shatter their total attendance of 17,464 from the 2015-16 season in a single match.
“We look forward to providing our fans, students and alumni a very special and unique double header on November 19th,” said Director of Athletics Patrick Hobbs. “Wrestling in the afternoon in front of what we hope will be a record crowd, combined with prime time Rutgers football that night. What could be better that that.”
“I’m really excited that the `Battle at the Birthplace’ will take place. We will always try to push the envelope and create an atmosphere that is special. This event provides not only Rutgers fans but the great fans of New Jersey an opportunity to see two programs with some talented wrestlers compete,” said head coach Scott Goodale. “For this to work, we will need the support of the whole state, the coaches on all levels, and the Rutgers and Princeton alumni to really jump on board. Both Chris Ayres and I see this is as a great opportunity to show off our programs on a national stage and that has the both of us excited.”
The individual ticket price for the event is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Group tickets will be available for $6 apiece for parties of 20 or more. Tickets for the “Battle at the Birthplace” will go on sale at a later date; however, with a $50 deposit for 2016-17 wrestling season tickets, fans will secure a seat in the first few rows for the first outdoor dual meet in Rutgers wrestling history.
2015-16 wrestling season ticket renewals will have the ability to place a deposit starting Wednesday, May 11. Beginning Wednesday, May 18 deposits will be open to the general public. If the deposit is placed and season tickets are not purchased, the $50 credit can be used toward individual match tickets in another location. Space is limited, and deposits are nonrefundable.
To make a deposit, call the ticket office at 1-866-445-GORU (4678) or visit ScarletKnights.com. Please note, tickets to Rutgers football vs. Penn State will not grant admission to the wrestling match.
For those attending the wrestling match without a football parking pass, parking will be available at the Rutgers Athletic Center lots (Orange) and shuttles will provide transportation to and from High Point Solutions Stadium. Football season ticket holders can use their already purchased football parking passes in the surrounding lots outside the stadium.
For more information on football gameday parking, click here. Click on the following links for High Point Solutions Stadium facility policies and bag policies.
In the event of inclement weather, the first 8,000 tickets purchased will be guaranteed a seat at the match’s alternate location inside the Rutgers Athletic Center. The final determination on location, dependent on weather, will come in the days leading up to the match.
Rutgers University, chartered in 1766 as Queens College, celebrates its 250th Anniversary in 2016. The Rutgers and Princeton wrestling programs have met 79 times since 1931, with the Scarlet Knights winning 20 consecutive matches in the rivalry. All-time, RU holds the slight edge over the Tigers, 41-33-5.
The rich athletic tradition between the two schools extends to the gridiron, with Rutgers and Princeton meeting in the first ever collegiate football game on Nov. 6, 1869 on the current site of the College Ave. Gym, dubbing Rutgers “The Birthplace of College Football.”
“Being from New Jersey, I am so grateful to be a part of this event,” said Princeton head wrestling coach Chris Ayres. “This is not really about Rutgers or Princeton; this is about New Jersey wrestling and about our fans. I am excited for our fans to show that New Jersey has among the strongest, if not the strongest, wrestling following in the country. I can’t see a reason why we can’t break the record for the most fans at a wrestling event in New Jersey, and we will be prepared to put on a show. It only seems fitting that we do an event this monumental at the birthplace of college football, with the two teams that got it all started.”
Rutgers’ 2016-17 slate of Big Ten opponents will be released later this week. Check back into ScarletKnights.com for more information about upcoming B1G matches at the RAC.
The Scarlet Knights (16-5) ended last season ranked No. 10 in the USA Today/NWCA Division I Coaches Poll after topping No. 7 Lehigh, 18-15, in the 2016 NWCA National Duals Championship Series at the RAC. All 10 Scarlet Knights qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history. Once there, RU finished with two All-Americans and placed 15th overall with 30 points – the best team finish ever. Nine NCAA Championships qualifiers return to the lineup next season.
“Battle at the Birthplace”
Rutgers Wrestling vs. Princeton
DATE: Nov. 19, 2016
TIME: 11 a.m.
LOCATION: High Point Solutions Stadium
TICKETS: $10 adults, $8 children, $6 groups (20+)
PURCHASE: 1-866-445-GORU (4678) | ScarletKnights.com
*with a 2016-17 wrestling season ticket deposit of $50, fans will guarantee a seat in the first few rows for the match*
Source: http://www.scarletknights.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/050916aaa.html
