NJIT Celebrates the Official Naming of the Tarik Rodgers '96 Practice Court

As part of NJIT's men's volleyball alumni weekend, NJIT officially named the practice court inside the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Event Center, the Tarik Rodgers '96 Practice Court on Sunday, January 21, 2024 in front of family, friends and alumni.

"It was an honor to be with Tarik Rodgers '96 as he was recognized for his generous support of scholarships and our Division I athletics program through the dedication of the Tarik Rodgers '96 Practice Court," said University President Teik Lim. "Tarik, who earned his degree in mechanical engineering and played volleyball for the Highlanders, was inducted into the NJIT Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, and we are incredibly grateful for all his contributions to NJIT."

The Rodgers Practice Court, located in the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Event Center (second floor), is used by NJIT's volleyball and basketball teams. The Rodgers Practice Court was named to recognize Tarik Rodgers' and Astria Smith-Rodgers' amazing support to the university's Athletics program and its talented student-athletes. 

"One really starts to realize how much playing for NJIT means to your development as a leader, as a person, as a friend," said Rodgers. "Just seeing the consistent success the volleyball program has now is amazing. We know playing in the earlier days helped set a foundation of excellence, now I am just happy to be tied to the ongoing success."

"Tarik was a special player and he made those around him better," said Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan. "He had a drive to excel that has served him well beyond his playing career. He was a leader when he played and he continues to lead the way for our volleyball program."

Rodgers, considered by many to be the greatest volleyball player in school history, was inducted into the NJIT Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. A scholar-athlete all four years at NJIT, Rodgers captained the team as junior and senior.

His senior season, Rodgers was the national ASICS Small College Player of the Year for schools in NCAA Division II or Division III and helped the Highlanders win four Independent Athletic Conference championships and make four EIVA playoff appearances. Rodgers was named EIVA Division III Tournament MVP as the Highlanders fell in the championship match.

"Tarik's generosity and support enables us to aggressively meet the challenges of being a top program," said Danny Goncalves, who is in his 10th season at the helm of the Highlanders. "What is most noteworthy is how his generosity also connects our history to our future."