Red Hawk football captain Nicholas Burgess, aka “Agent 0” because of his uniform number, and offensive lineman Cameron Siebert, #64, will receive Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Management and Accounting, respectively. They’ll both return to campus this summer to work on their MBAs.

Managing his business

With Burgess’ selection as New Jersey Athletic Conference [NJAC]’s 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Region, All-District and All-Conference one might think that football is his Plan A. It’s definitely his Plan B.

Plan A has always been getting an MBA and working in finance. “I love football, but I never had a dream of playing pro football,” he says. Still, Burgess plans to participate in next year’s NJAC pro-scout day and “if that opportunity shows up, I’ll commit to it. If not, I’m OK with my football career.”

It’s not surprising given that Burgess was named NJAC’s Academic Athlete of the Year.

But first, he’ll take care of business. “I’ve always wanted to get an MBA, regardless of the timeline,” Burgess says. “For me to be able to do it while doing my undergrad degree, and then be able to finish it within a year is everything you could ask for. The program is everything and more.”

Burgess credits academic advisors with making sure that students “are on top of our stuff. We’re learning more about the professional world and general business, and then you’re able to see how your undergrad experience applies to your graduate school experience.”

But those who know Burgess credit his accomplishments on his hard work and determination.

“Everything he does, he does it 100%, whether it’s football, his internship or his classes,” says Head Football Coach Mike Palazzo. “He cares. There’s nobody on this team or who knows Nick who can say he doesn’t care about, not only his success, but the team’s success.”��

Management Instructional Specialist Lisa Brooks Greaux has taught Burgess in four business classes the past two years and gives him high praise. “Nicholas sits in the front row, dead center, and he’s always paying attention, always taking notes, always asking questions, but the interesting thing about him, probably because he’s also captain of the football team, is that he engages the rest of the class,” she says. “So, he actually raises the bar for the rest of the class, by his participation and by his presence.��

Because of his success juggling academics, football and an internship at the financial firm Morgan Stanley, Burgess was featured in an award-winning, eight-minute YouTube video titled about the star student’s athleticism, passion and legacy. In it, his parents Silas and Nickia Burgess say he’s worked hard and been successful as both a student and an athlete.

In the video, football teammate Mason Murdock shares that he admires Burgess’ time management skills. “I don’t know how he does it, working 30 hours a week, taking 18 credits and being a captain on the football team,” he says, “and he still finds time for extracurriculars. It’s insane.”

Burgess acknowledges that “it’s not an easy balance,” but says he learned time management from his parents and at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, an all-boys Catholic school, before moving to Hackensack, New Jersey.

“I’m always searching for more things to accomplish,” Burgess says. “My biggest thing with that is just being intentional. Everything I do has to allow for my goals.”

Burgess is looking forward to marking his graduation with his extended family but he’s especially looking forward to the celebration that accompanies Commencement. His 2020 graduation from Cardinal Hayes was held on YouTube. “They gave students their flowers but we didn’t get to experience it together,” he says. “I’m looking forward to just the atmosphere and just being a part of a graduation finally, after a long four years … being joyful and experiencing all of that with my family.”

Scoring a first-generation degree

Siebert also had a COVID-19 ceremony for his high school graduation and is looking forward to Commencement. His parents, grandparents and aunts will be on hand to celebrate that he’s the first in his family to earn a college degree.

Although Siebert was undecided on a major when he entered 91�����, he chose the 4+1 MBA program. “The opportunity came that I could do that and also play that fifth year of football, so it just made sense,” says Siebert, who also worked part time managing a recreational basketball team in Pequannock Township, New Jersey.

After acquiring his MBA, Siebert says, “I want to go into business to do project management or sports management.”

Associate Business Management Professor Te Wu had Seibert in his Project Management class. “Cameron performed very well, earning 950 points [out of 1,000 points for the class]. This is a solid A. A strong student, he regularly participated in class and asked ‘smart’ questions. For his research paper, he wrote an insightful report about the SoFi Stadium and its construction. It was a pleasure having Cameron in my class.”

Both Siebert and Burgess are committed leaders, albeit with different styles. They always show up, despite their busy schedules. “Cam is a quiet leader on the team. He doesn’t have to say much but he leads by example. He hasn’t missed a practice or workout session in four years, and he does the extra things that show he’s extremely dedicated to the team,” Palazzo says. “He’s an impressive student because, much like Nick, he’s able to be a 4+1 student and you wouldn’t even know he has a heavy workload. He is very good at managing his time.”

Palazzo is always happy to see his players graduate. Noting that 91����� is “not a football factory, churning out pro players,” the coach says he has one goal: “To get these guys to graduate and get a degree and get a job.”

Meanwhile, he’ll gladly welcome back both players for a fifth year of football. “Both Nick and Cam are leaders of the program,” Palazzo says. “They are great role models for the rest of our team and future Red Hawks.”

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez.

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Lukovic is in elite company at 91����� becoming just the third person in school history to claim a National Player of the Year honor. He joins John Deutsch (baseball,1989) and Lois Fyfe (softball,1992).

“Congratulations to Amer on a remarkable season and an outstanding honor,” expressed Director of Athletics Rob Chesney. “He was unbelievable throughout a very special season for the men’s soccer program. Only the third athlete in school history, and first in the past 31 years, to receive this honor is truly a great accomplishment for Amer, his teammates and coaches. We are fortunate to have so many committed student athletes at 91����� and this recognition is a proud moment for our University.”

A three-time All-American, Lukovic put together the best offensive season in 91����� history as he led all of the NCAA in points (75), goals (34), and game-winning goals (11). He established a new school record with 75 points and 34 goals, becoming the first student-athlete in program history to score over 30 goals in a season. Lukovic is now a three-time All-Region selection and was also chosen as the 2023 NJAC Offensive Player of the Year.

“It’s an amazing feeling to achieve this award and an honor to do so while representing Montclair State University soccer,” Lukovic said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.”

The Clifton, New Jersey, native recorded at least one point in all but two games this season and opened the year with goals in his first nine contests. Lukovic scored twice in the season-opening win against NYU before bagging a hat trick in just nine minutes against Hunter College. Midway through the year, he scored twice in wins over Alvernia, New Jersey City University, Stockton University and Ramapo College before scoring twice with an assist in the victory over William Paterson University at Red Bull Arena.

In the NCAA Tournament, Lukovic tallied six goals in three games. He scored twice in the first round victory over Elmira before netting a hat rick in the second round, double-overtime win over Christopher Newport University. In the CNU win, the junior scored twice in the second overtime, propelling the Red Hawks to victory. He capped off the season with the game-tying marker against Connecticut College and helped the team force overtime in the Sectional Semifinal.

“It was a pleasure to coach this team this year,” said Head Coach Todd Tumelty. “A bunch of hard-working players who I have watched mature over the past three seasons. When you have all of that, and then Amer has the season he had, it can make for something special. Congrats to Amer for being named the player of the year in all of DIII men’s soccer. It is a tremendous honor and another great accomplishment for the Montclair State University community.”

For more information on 91����� Athletics, visit .

After a in the Tournament’s opening round, the Red Hawks (19-2-1) notched a over Christopher Newport University to advance to the Tournament’s Sectional Round next weekend.

Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, junior forward netted a pair of goals – completing his hat trick for the match and giving him five goals through the first two matches of the Tournament – in the second overtime to lift 91����� past the Captains in extra time.

The Red Hawks will travel to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia for the Sectional Round of 16, where they will take on Connecticut College on Saturday, November 18 at 1:30 p.m.

“There are over 400 teams in Division III, and being a part of the last 16 is a huge accomplishment for this group,” says Head Men’s Soccer Coach Todd Tumelty. “We are well-traveled, and we will continue to take the ‘one game at a time’ approach to this tournament. We appreciate the University community’s support as we continue our postseason run.”

How to Watch the NCAA Tournament Sectional Round

When: Saturday, November 18 @ 1:30 p.m.
Where: (Fredericksburg, Virginia)
Watch:

For more information on Montclair State University athletics, visit .

The men’s team will host the first and second round of the on the 91����� campus this Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12, at .

The Red Hawks (17-2-1), ranked No. 5 in the nation and the , will take on Elmira College on November 11 at 5 p.m. in the opening round.

The women’s team (13-3-2), ranked No. 20 in the country, will travel to Virginia Beach, Virginia, for their opening round match in the against No. 23 Virginia Wesleyan University on November 11 at 1:30 p.m.

“We are thrilled that both of our programs will be continuing their seasons in the NCAA Tournament,” says 91����� Director of Athletics Rob Chesney. “Both teams have had outstanding seasons, and we encourage the 91����� community to come to campus this weekend, or watch online, to cheer on the Red Hawks as they compete for a national championship.”

Where to Watch the NCAA Tournaments

Men’s Soccer vs. Elmira College
November 11, 2023 @ 5 p.m. (November 12 match TBD)
Location:
Webcast:

Women’s Soccer vs. Virginia Wesleyan University
November 11, 2023 @ 1:30 p.m. (November 12 match TBD)
Location: Virginia Beach, Va. (Foster Field at Tassos Paphites Soccer Complex at Virginia Wesleyan)
Webcast:

For more information on Montclair State University Athletics, visit .

Montclair State University and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) are partnering to renovate Yogi Berra Stadium, part of a multi-million-dollar collaboration that will provide a home field for both schools’ NCAA baseball programs.

The project will have a total cost of $5.3 million, which will revamp the stadium for the 2024 season.

Improvements to the facility will include a new, state-of-the-art artificial turf playing surface, dugout upgrades, outfield wall replacement, a new storage building, new bullpens and batting cages, improved VIP and press boxes, and upgrades to both locker rooms. Future renovations could also include upgrades to additional space within the facility to create supplemental locker rooms.

Built in 1998, Yogi Berra Stadium is home to the and the Montclair State University baseball team. As part of the original construction, the stadium includes seating for 3,100, with room for an additional 4,000 lawn seats. It was formerly home to the New Jersey Jackals, an independent professional baseball team, from 1998-2022.

The enhancements will position the facility as a location capable of hosting conference and NCAA baseball tournaments as well as other high-profile events, making it a year-round facility that will serve the baseball teams, all students and the community at large.

“The future of higher education is collaboration, not competition,” says 91����� President Jonathan Koppell. “We must create new partnerships that allow for the sharing of resources between institutions. 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 to create a better future for students.”

“This agreement is an outstanding example of institutions working together and sharing resources to address a need and develop a mutually beneficial partnership that serves our students,” said NJIT President Teik C. Lim. “This is exactly the type of collaboration that we would like to see more of between universities.”

The NJIT baseball program plays in the NCAA Division I and earned the America East’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, winning NJIT’s first-ever NCAA Tournament game. NJIT has qualified for the America East Conference Tournament in all three seasons as a member of the league, and the Highlanders are scheduled to open the 2024 season at Miami on February 16 and will take on Seton Hall on March 12 in their first home game. Highlander alumnus Mark Leiter Jr. currently is a member of the Chicago Cubs.

An NCAA Division III program, Montclair State University baseball has enjoyed continued success as one of the preeminent programs in the country. Winning national titles in 1987, 1993 and 2000, the program has also reached the NCAA Tournament 15 times and fielded 37 All-Americans.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes and students in general,” says 91����� Athletic Director Rob Chesney. “We are looking forward to our partnership with NJIT and for our teams to play in one of the premiere collegiate baseball stadiums. I appreciate President Koppell and President Lim’s leadership and all the hard work so many put into making this happen.”

“Since the closure and demolition of Riverfront Stadium, we have been looking for a permanent home field for our baseball team,” says NJIT Athletic Director Lenny Kaplan. “Yogi Berra Stadium is the perfect venue for our student-athletes to call home for years to come. I want to thank President Koppel and the entire 91����� administration for being open to the idea of a true partnership between our universities. The end result will be one of the best baseball facilities in the region.”

For more information on Yogi Berra Stadium and Montclair State University Athletics, visit . For more information on NJIT Athletics, visit .

This article was featured in the Winter 2024 edition of 91����� magazine.

The Red Hawks earned one of 20 Pool-C at-large bids and advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Semifinals for the third consecutive season. 91����� will face Hamilton College out of the NESCAC at a four-team pod hosted by Johns Hopkins University. Johns Hopkins will face Mitchell College in their opening match Friday. 91����� and Hamilton will meet at 3:30 p.m. Friday, with Johns Hopkins and Mitchell squaring off at 6 pm. The two winners will battle Saturday at 6 p.m.

Montclair State University sits at 22-5 on the season, with the 22 victories being the most since the last tournament team, 2002-03, notched 23. The Red Hawks went 15-3 in the NJAC this season, matching the record set during the 1983-84 season. The team is making their seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament, posting a 6-6 mark in 12 tournament games.

STEVEN BREEMAN was named the NJAC Player of the Year, while head coach Justin Potts was tabbed as NJAC Coach of the Year. Breeman led the Red Hawks with 17.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, hitting 81 three-pointers.

Breeman set the single-season record for three-pointers with 81 and became the career leader in the NJAC Quarterfinals against New Jersey City University when he hit the 168th of his career. In the Red Hawks’ 69-64 triumph over TCNJ on January 28, Breeman
recorded his 1,000th career point before scoring his 1,000th point in a Montclair State jersey on February 11 against Kean. The senior recorded four double-doubles, including back-to-back double-doubles against Ramapo (January 4) and Stockton (January 7). Breeman netted 20+ points in 11 games and exploded for a career-high 30 against Rowan on January 11.

This post first appeared on the . Check back there for a full preview later this week.

91�����’s hockey players are among the athletes that the New Jersey Devils turn to for the team’s learn-to-play clinics, including in October and Hispanic Heritage Night in November. Women’s ice hockey has seen fast growth in the United States, with the Devils committed to championing an inclusive sport on the rink.

“A big part of what we do is philanthropic,” says Robert Martinez ’02, ’20 MS, assistant director of Campus Recreation and general manager of the club ice hockey program. “Whenever we do the clinics to get young girls into playing, our women’s team is all for it.”

At Prudential Center in Newark, girls peppered the 91����� athletes with questions. “What’s it like playing? Is your coach nice? What’s it like to be in college?” Sabrina Robinson, a junior Exercise Science major, says, “It’s good that they’re asking questions and seeing college players who inspire them to keep playing, to know it’s a possibility for them when they get older.”

Gomez, a senior Business Administration major, adds, “We asked one girl what position she played. She wants to be a goalie, and I told her we have an extra spot, join us. She got so excited.”

Scenes like this have played out ever since the U.S. women’s national ice hockey team won gold at the 2018 Olympics, sparking enthusiasm for the sport. It was the same year 91�����’s club team won the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference and made their first American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II national tournament appearance. Alexandra Tepper who played on the 2018 team now coaches the Red Hawks, one of just two club teams at the collegiate level in New Jersey. (Only Princeton has NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.)

“It’s incredible being part of women’s hockey,” Gomez says, “especially now when it’s rising up in the world.” Adds Robinson, “For our team, half of it’s sport and half of it’s team camaraderie because we are super close. It’s like the Mighty Ducks. We all started off a little shaky, but we’re all under-dogging together. We’ve become closer as a team.”

What’s next? In the spring, Gomez and Robinson will trade their skates for cleats as they take the field for 91�����’s women’s club baseball. Last spring, the team competed in the first-ever . On the diamond, as on the ice, they’ll be leading growing movements to inspire girls to pursue their sports passions at the collegiate level.

“I love the community we are creating,” Gomez says.

Photo Gallery

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.

Booker shared not only how Gilbert’s hotline motivated him when he was applying for a Rhodes Scholarship in 1992 but also the hotline number, 973-743-4690. The then-Stanford student did indeed become a Rhodes Scholar. Fast forward 30 years and Booker, who took a lesson from Gilbert, also started sharing motivational messages to his mentees, family and followers via social media. On Sunday, August 14, Booker called the Success Hotline and “lo and behold, I hear the message,” he shared with his almost 1.3 million combined TikTok and Instagram followers.

Every day for 30 years, Gilbert, a public speaker, author and motivational and sports coach, has recorded a three-minute motivational message for his legions of callers from across the globe. On this particular August day, he recorded message number 11,500.

Many commenters on Booker’s TikTok post mentioned calling the hotline and being grateful for now having Booker and Gilbert to motivate them.

“I’m an adjunct and now inspired! He is still there. I love that you are too,” wrote commenter and Montclair Social Work and Child Advocacy Adjunct Professor Sara E. Every on TikTok.

Janice, another of Booker’s TikTok followers wrote: “This is a wonderful story and it’s amazing that the hot line is still there. I’m grateful to him for inspiring you to pay it forward & to inspire us!”

Even Booker’s friend and ex-girlfriend actress Rosario Dawson chimed in on Instagram: “How wonderful! Loving the podcast!” (Yes, there’s also , courtesy of Ironclad.)

“You just blew up his line!! I’m calling too!!” Angie Murcia Stephen wrote on TikTok.

Gilbert could attest to that. “Sunday, I had hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of people calling, all from Cory Booker,” Gilbert says, adding that they left messages. “They are the sweetest, kindest people.”

After 30 years, Gilbert, who has taught at 91����� for 43 years, knows when someone has shared the number, as he sees spikes in call volume. One Texas athletic director who is a motivational speaker always boosts the number of calls after a speaking engagement. Gilbert’s success has all been word of mouth – and now via social media.

What prompted this extreme exercise in consistency? Before he started teaching sports psychology at 91�����, Gilbert was a high school wrestling coach and would see his students five to seven days a week.

“I’m teaching graduate students, many of them coaches, and I only see them once a week. It really doesn’t make sense because graduate school is much more important than high school wrestling,” Gilbert recalls thinking to himself. As a way to “be” with his grad students seven days a week, he purchased a phone system that allowed him to leave a three-minute recording and also collect messages from the students.

He intended to do it only for the spring semester, which would have been roughly 100 messages “just as an experiment.”

Today, the Success Hotline has built a loyal following, including some celebrities who have sworn him to secrecy. “I never know who’s going to call. Yesterday, Cory Booker called me. I have Olympic champions calling me. I have pro athletes call me. I have all these people that I would never know if I didn’t have my hotline,” Gilbert says. “I’ve been getting thousands of calls, and I have eight lines.”

Many listeners have been calling the hotline daily for decades. Among his loyalists is Richard Kennedy ’89, a former student who now works for a law firm. Kennedy, who earned his degree in political science, took two of Gilbert’s classes as electives but says that he would have taken them even if he didn’t get credit.

“I listen to it every day. It’s three minutes,” Kennedy says. “The best part is it’s free. He puts a message out just to try to make your day every day religiously.

“He teaches you how you should study, how you can memorize, how to motivate yourself,” Kennedy says. “He teaches you how to succeed.”

Bonnie Gechtberg, another longtime follower, has called every day since her son Mark came home from Gilbert’s class and told her about the new hotline. The 87-year-old says she told her son she didn’t have time for that but he insisted. “I listened to the first message, and I was hooked. I became addicted,” says Gechtberg, who lives in Cranford, New Jersey, but has called from other states, as well as Mexico and Canada to get her fix.

Like Booker, who ended his message with: “I just want to say, Dr. Rob Gilbert, thank you for making a difference in my life,” Gechtberg says he’s changed her life. “His messages are so inspirational and there’s nothing else like Dr. Gilbert’s messages. His messages make my life better and make me a better person.”

The state that boasts the highest number of devotees is Texas, Gilbert says, adding that he counts many Texas football coaches among his callers.

Michael Baldwin, a senior account executive with commodities firm U.S. Gold Bureau in Austin, has been calling every day for years and is impressed by Gilbert’s “impressive track record.”

A former employee of U.S. Gold, Callon Ihde, introduced colleagues to the hotline. Today, 50-60 people begin their day with Gilbert’s words, Baldwin says. “The positive affirmational talks that he offers are a great way to start our day off. It gets your mind working in the right direction.”

Like his fans, Gilbert is relentless in his dedication. He has recorded the messages from hospitals before and after medical procedures. He’s recorded it while outdoors in freezing temperatures in Vermont. “I’ve never ever missed a day,” he says. “I had thousands of people calling from all over the world. I wasn’t expecting that! It’s been a whole lot of fun, so I’ve never stopped since January 22, 1992.

In three decades, there’s been only one glitch: Side effects from a shingles vaccine delayed his daily recording until 5 p.m.; he usually records it at 7:30 a.m. While Gilbert says he’s not a perfectionist, he does admit doing several takes. Sometimes, magic happens and he records his message in one take. Gilbert makes no money off of the hotline or podcast.

“I mean, I’m a teacher,” he says. “And what I want to do is to spread good information.”

Story by Staff Writer Sylvia A. Martinez. Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.

A lot of different emotions were felt at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Excitement. Sadness. But most importantly, there was a huge weight lifted off the shoulders of the family of legendary linebacker and former Montclair State University football player Sam Mills, who finally got the ultimate moment in the world of football.

Mills was enshrined into the Class of 2022 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame alongside former Jacksonville Jaguars tackle Tony Boselli, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch, Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler, official Art McNally, New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour, Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Bryant Young.

Sam Mills’ wife Melanie Mills was introduced on stage to a quick embrace from his former coach on the Philadelphia Stars and the New Orleans Saints, Jim Mora, who acknowledged Sam Mills as one of the best players he ever coached. And he’s coached Peyton Manning.

Mora hounded down on the perception that Sam Mills was too short to be a linebacker in football and gave an anecdote on how he beat that judgment.

“There’s a saying in football that the low man wins,” Mora said. “That means if I’m blocking you, whoever has leverage on the other end is probably going to win that one-on-one battle. Sam had that leverage naturally because he was shorter than most of the linebackers. He was strong and he was a dedicated player.”

Melanie Mills was presented by Mora with Sam Mill’s head bust, which was crafted beautifully, and she then gave a short but sweet speech about her late husband.

“If you were working hard at anything, Sam [Mills] would let you know he would appreciate your hard work,” Melanie Mills said. “He would make you feel seen. It’s no wonder Sam inspired so many people, and the [Carolina] Panthers adopted his motto ‘Keep Pounding’. He was more than just a good football player, he was a great father, friend and husband.”

Melanie Mills ended her speech with an appreciation for the vast amount of football fans and media in the crowd, including the Red Hawk Sports Network. And gave everyone the aforementioned motto Sam Mills is so widely known for in Carolina and amongst our very own Red Hawks.

“Thank you for believing in Sam [Mills] and keeping his story alive,” Melanie Mills said. “Keep pounding everyone. That is what Sam would want you to do.”

NBC Sports NFL writer Peter King, one of the members who picks the next legendary class of players and coaches for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, knew that a certain part of Sam Mills’ career would help his case compared to the rest of the potential candidates.

“One of the things I have always said about Sam Mills is that it’s called the Pro Football Hall of Fame for a reason,” King said. “His three years in the [United State Football League (USFL)]. While certainly not the only reason you get into the hall of fame, [Sam] Mills was the best all-around defensive player in the USFL, right along with [Carolina Panthers defensive end] Reggie White, in the league’s three-year history. He was a real big impact player.”

Sam Mills also left an impact during his time playing for Montclair State from 1977 to 1980. He was a three-time NJ Collegiate Football Writers Defensive Player of the Year, and was also named to the New Jersey Athletic Conference All-Star Team for all four years with the university. He also set two records; the most tackles in a game and a career.

One of Sam Mills’ assistant coaches at that time was the current head coach of the Red Hawks, Rick Giancola. In his four-decade-plus tenure as head coach, and even longer overall as a coach, “Coach G” recognized how different of a player Sam Mills was.

“We were very fortunate to get him to come here,” Giancola said. “There was a situation that scared us a little bit because his high school football coach Frank Glazier left Long Branch High School and took the job at William Paterson [University]. That scared us a little bit because [Glazier] and Sam [Mills] had a pretty good relationship. And when head coach [Fred] Hill spoke to him about that, Sam [Mills] said to Coach Hill, ‘I give you my hand.’ They shook hands. And Sam [Mills] was committed to Montclair State. That’s the kind of young man he was; a young man of character, he was upfront and honest.”

Giancola said this strong character never left Sam Mills during his time at Montclair State.

“He was always doing what he was asked to do,” Giancola said. “But more than that, he was always willing to help people. And he played with the gusto and the challenge of a young man who loved football, and that’s the way he played. If you saw him off the field, you would say, ‘Boy, he’s a football player.’”

He was a football player. But on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, one can officially say that Sam Mills, former Montclair State linebacker, is one of the greatest football players to ever grace the field. And even at five foot nine, the Field Mouse can now look over the historic land of Canton, Ohio as a legend. But most importantly, a great man.

Story written by Matt Orth, Montclarion sports editor.

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The new facility, located in the Red Hawk Athletic Annex just off Sprague Field, is the first of its kind and comes at a time when the nation is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the groundbreaking legislation signed into law in 1972 that stated that no person the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

“We are thrilled to be able to open the Women’s Performance Center, especially during the celebration of Title IX,” said Director of Athletics Rob Chesney. “The center will greatly benefit the overall athletic experience for our women’s student athletes and help continue the amazing success they have enjoyed over the years. I want to thank the Montclair State University administration as well as our VIP partner Powerade/Coca-Cola® in making this facility come to fruition.”

The center is designed with two rooms, the first containing traditional training equipment with the largest room able to conduct large scale training regimens.

“The new center allows us to be more dynamic in how we train,” said head field hockey coach Eileen O’Reilly. “There is so much more we can do now that we just weren’t able to accomplish within our original Fitness Center. We can do large team activities and also focus on our injury prevention which is such a big part in our training process.”

Over the last decade, 91����� women’s teams have put together a run of success that has produced some of the best seasons in program history. The nine teams have captured 15 conference championships and totaled 25 NCAA Tournament berths, including a national championship game trip for field hockey, a berth in the Final Four for women’s basketball and three consecutive NCAA Division III Softball Championship Tournament appearances as well two individual national championships in track and field.

For more information on Red Hawk Athletics, visit .