Destin, Azemi pace Rutgers-Camden to first NJAC victory of the season

CAMDEN CITY, N.J. (Dec. 14, 2019) – Senior forward

Isaac Destin

scored a game-high 28 points and added a game-high 13 rebounds for his third double-double of the season, as the Rutgers University-Camden men’s basketball team won its first New Jersey Athletic Conference game of the year, 68-63, over Kean University here Saturday.

Junior guard

Arian Azemi

added 22 points and a game-high four steals for the Scarlet Raptors, who improve to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in the NJAC by snapping a four-game losing streak. Kean falls to 2-8 overall and 1-4 in conference play.

The teams swapped leads nine times in the opening half before Rutgers-Camden took the lead for good, 30-28, on a three-pointer by forward

Jake Petrik

late in the opening half. Petrick’s trey sparked a 13-point Scarlet Raptor run to end the half, giving Rutgers-Camden a 40-28 lead at the break. Azemi scored nine of those points.

Rutgers-Camden opened up leads as large as 16 points in the second half (49-33 and 51-35) before the Cougars clawed their way back into the contest. Leading, 61-51, the Raptors watched Kean go on a 9-1 run late in the game, cutting the margin to 62-60 on a three-pointer by senior guard Jeff Cooper with 1:07 remaining.

Foul shots by Raptor junior guard/forward

Ian McCarthy

and Destin made it a 64-60 game with 34 seconds remaining, but moments later, the Cougars sliced the margin to one point on a trey by sophomore guard Jailen Jamison. Azemi hiked the margin to 66-63 with a pair of foul shots before the Cougars missed the potential game-tying trey with 12 seconds remaining. Destin grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made both of his foul shots for the final margin.

Destin finished the game shooting 10-for-11 from the foul line on his way to 28 points, five shy of his career high. He will head into the next calendar year with 979 career points, 21 shy of becoming the 14th 1,000-point scorer in program history.

In addition to Destin and Azemi, Petrik added nine points for the Scarlet Raptors, who shot 22-for-53 (41.5 percent) from the floor and 18-for-25 (72.0) from the foul line. Kean shot 25-for-62 from the floor and 5-for-10 (50.0) from the line.

The Cougars received 15 points and seven boards from Jamison, while sophomore guard Jared Latane netted 13 points and Cooper added 10.

Kean held a 40-35 edge off the boards and made two more turnovers (19-17) than the Scarlet Raptors.

The Scarlet Raptors won’t play again until Jan. 4, when they have a 3 p.m. NJAC game at The College of New Jersey.

Dennis Barth Returns as Gloucester Catholic Baseball Coach

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ (Dec. 13, 2019)– –Veteran baseball skipper Dennis Barth will return to Gloucester Catholic as head coach of a Rams’ program he helped to establish as one of the best in New Jersey over the past several decades.

Barth left GCHS in 2012 to serve as head coach at Rutgers-Camden, where he guided the program to the only two NJAC conference championships in school history. Barth replaces Adam Tussey, who resigned as Rams coach after four successful seasons.

“I’m excited to return as coach – everyone knows our high expectations here at Gloucester Catholic, and coach Tussey left a solid foundation that we will continue to build,” Barth said. “We have a proud tradition of winning here, and I know the program will continue to be successful.”

A former player at Gloucester Catholic and a 1980 graduate, Coach Barth has a long list of accomplishments, including:

A career record of 485-94-1 over 19 seasons.

Recognition as National High School \’Coach Of The Year\’ in 2000

Recognition as South Jersey High School \’Coach Of The Year\’ in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Recognition of Gloucester Catholic as High School National Champions in 2001.

Nine state championships, including his final NJSIAA Non-Public title in 2012.

Coach Barth is nationally recognized as coach of the Brooklawn American Legion baseball team, winning a Legion World Championship in 2001 and making multiple appearances in the Legion World Series Tournament

Athletic Director Patrick Murphy congratulated Coach Barth, who met with his new team earlier this week, on his return.

“We welcome Dennis back as coach,” said Murphy. “He’s excited to return, and of course his return will be beneficial to our program.”

Rams Head Baseball Coach Announces Resignation; Cites Business Promotion for the Decision

\”Shadow\” A New Resource to Help Catch Horse Racing Cheaters

TRENTON –

Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the New Jersey Racing Commission have deployed a new asset in the effort to prevent cheating in the horse racing industry – a specially-trained scent-sniffing dog named Shadow.

A two-year-old black Labrador, Shadow is New Jersey’s first-ever K-9 horse racing investigator, and is already proving to be a valuable tool in deterring licensees who might seek a competitive or wagering advantage by drugging race horses.

The Racing Commission has put Shadow on regular patrol at New Jersey racetracks, including Monmouth Park, Freehold Raceway, and the New Meadowlands Racetrack. Earlier this year, Shadow made his first find, detecting the presence of a prohibited substance.

“A big part of the job for any regulatory and enforcement agency is to stay one step ahead of those who would seek to profit by breaking our laws and rules,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Shadow is an incredible asset in that respect, because cheaters in horse racing can’t cheat without using prohibited substances, and he is specifically trained to sniff them out. Shadow is helping not only to protect horses, but to preserve the integrity of the horse racing industry throughout our state.”

Racing Commission Executive Director Judith A. Nason credits Shadow with having “vastly increased the Racing Commission’s investigatory ability,” and with helping to send a strong cautionary message to would-be horse dopers.

“One very important purpose of Shadow is to deter trainers or owners from even the thought of giving a prohibited substance to a horse,” said Nason.

“We believe Shadow will prove to be an efficient, cost-effective tool in catching and penalizing licensees who cheat,” Nason said. “The Racing Commission already has four human investigators. That’s eight boots on the ground. By adding Shadow, we now have 12 boots on the ground – although four of them are paws.”

Earlier this year, Attorney General Grewal challenged the leadership of every division and commission within the Department of Law and Public Safety to look for ways to better serve the public by identifying new ways to collaborate with each other.

As part of that process, the Racing Commission identified the need for adding a trained, scent-sniffing dog that could detect the presence of substances unique to horse racing that cannot lawfully be possessed by anyone but a licensed veterinarian.

The New Jersey State Police partnered with the Racing Commission in this effort and through its Canine Academy found a two-year-old black Labrador retriever for the Racing Commission and, following a Racing Commission naming contest, the dog became officially known as “Shadow.”

With Investigator Joseph Sczerbowicz manning the leash, Shadow now spends Monday through Thursday patrolling racetracks and licensed farms to ferret out banned chemicals that might be concealed in stalls or barns – sometimes in places where a routine inspection might not uncover them, such as locked drawers, toolboxes or even piles of hay. And on race days – Fridays and Saturdays – Shadow is deployed at New Jersey’s thoroughbred and Standardbred racetracks.

For investigative reasons, Executive Director Nason will not disclose details concerning what substances Shadow is able to detect. However, she confirms that he is trained to find a host of banned chemicals known to be used by cheaters, as well as related paraphernalia such as syringes and hypodermic needles.

“The people hiding drugs and needles have always had an intrinsic advantage, because it’s easier to conceal these things than to locate them,” said Nason. “But Shadow could turn out to be a true game-changer. Not only can he search a lot of territory very quickly, he can also detect banned substances in hiding places where we humans might not find them.”

####

State Adopts NEW Rules for Fantasy Sports

NEWARK

– Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) announced today that the Division has adopted its first set of rules for fantasy sports activities in New Jersey, including rules designed to protect children.

The new rules, adopted this month, implement a 2017 law requiring fantasy sports operators to obtain permits from the Division and comply with other requirements to protect participants in New Jersey’s new online sports betting frontier.

The new rules require fantasy sports operators to adopt procedures to ensure that no one under the age of 18 participates in fantasy sports activities. Fantasy sports operators also are prohibited from advertising in publications or media aimed exclusively at minors, at K-12 schools and at sports venues used exclusively for K-12 student sports activities. In addition, if an account is found to have been created by a minor, any money held in the account must be refunded.

The Division also took regulatory steps to protect other fantasy sports participants, including limiting the risk that fantasy sports participants will go into debt as a result of their fantasy sports activities. To that end, fantasy sports operators may not extend credit to any participant. Fantasy sports operators also must offer individuals the ability to restrict themselves from participating in fantasy sports activities if they so choose.

Other consumer protections in the new rules include a requirement that fantasy sports operators maintain adequate procedures for processing complaints from participants, and restrictions on participation by employees, officers, directors, and owners of fantasy sports operators. Operators also are required to maintain appropriate reserves so that they will be able to satisfy their financial obligations to participants.

The new rules will supplement statutory requirements that the Division has already begun enforcing. The Division

announced

its first action to enforce the fantasy sports law in August 2019, when the Division entered into a consent order with SportsHub Games Network, Inc. SportsHub agreed to pay a $30,000 civil penalty after the Division found that the company unlawfully operated a fantasy sports site without a permit, and failed to clearly and conspicuously disclose that the company collects personal information from consumers’ social media accounts and shares it with third parties. The company also agreed to modify its business practices.

The rule adoption notice, dated December 2, 2019, is available

here

. The original proposal, dated November 19, 2018, is available

here

How Vegas hotels inspire loyalty among patrons

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 10, 2019)–The customer, like all businesses, is the most important person in both the hotel and casino industry and by extension, their loyalty is vital to their success.

Loyalty schemes and bonuses aren’t anything new – just about every business offering a product or service utilizes them. Pick up a coffee at any local shop and you’ll fill another space on the loyalty card, log on to an online casino and you’ll be able to claim comp points for the games that you play.

Loyalty schemes and rewards aren’t anything new, but how effective each method is is still up for debate. But those discussing will struggle to argue that the Vegas hotels and casinos are at the forefront of the loyalty business.

There are

many different hotels in Vegas and with each one competing for the same customers, it’s hardly a surprise that loyalty is a serious business. So, how exactly do hotels inspire loyalty among patrons?

The brand itself

The single most important marketing consideration that any business faces is the brand itself and, done correctly, this is enough to make for strong loyalty.

By marketing the hotel for the correct audience and selling the lifestyle rather than the hotel itself, businesses are much more likely to receive new customers that they may otherwise fail to have caught. This can be done in a number of different ways, perhaps the most interesting in recent times being

digital and social media marketing

Branding is particularly important through the hotel itself too with the decor, feel and staff all linking to the lifestyle that the brand portrays. In the era in which the everyday person chooses to share their life online – everything matters and the good (and bad) will be shared.

Traditional loyalty schemes

A traditional loyalty scheme structure seems to be the preferred way for the Vegas hard-hitters to instill loyalty and create a loyal fanbase.

From offers and discounts on rooms, the chance to bag tickets to events before the rest of the crowds and VIP treatment wherever you go – it does a very good job of keeping customers happy. But this doesn’t tend to come easily and there’s a price to pay before the benefits can be reaped, often in the form of

tier credits

. The more tier credits earned, the better the benefits that can be claimed.

The best we to run through this to give you an idea of what to expect is to have a look through a case study and get to grips with the loyalty offered.

Case study: MGM Resorts – M Life Program

Maybe the

best example of hotel loyalty

schemes comes from the bosses at MGM Resorts and their loyalty program “M Life” consistent across all hotels owned (MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mirage, etc.).

The company uses a five-tier system with each tier offering bigger and better benefits for those staying at any of the MGM resorts.

A certain number of tier credits is required before the next level can be reached which are earned with spending on gaming activities, hotel rooms, dining, entertainment, etc. If you’re spending money at the resort, chances are that

you’re collecting tier points

in doing so.

Sapphire

The first loyalty level that all guests will receive is the Sapphire status – the level received for simply signing up for the rewards scheme.

Members will receive a 10% discount on rooms at valid MGM properties with an additional 5% discount at the participating shops found at the resort. There’s even the chance to earn early access to tickets for events at MGM resorts around the globe.

Pearl

Next up is pearl, the status reached when earning 35,000 tier credits inside a program year.

Alongside the benefits earned from Sapphire, members will find themselves with a 10% points-earning from slot play and an additional six months of expiration time. There’s the chance to be invited to members-only events and the shopping discount is bumped up to 10% at those stores participating.

Gold

Gold follows Pearl and requires members to earn 75,000 tier credits per program year to qualify.

The benefits of Pearl will still stand, but there’s a 20% bonus on slot play and express comps, the availability of priority check-in lines and room upgrades for hotel stays. Gold members will also be able to make priority reservations at restaurants as well as VIP lines in both buffets and select nightclubs.

Platinum

A huge 200,000 tier credits inside a singe program year are required to reach the Platinum level and the benefits that come with it.

Those at the Platinum level are entitled to one free cruise per program year on either Royal Caribbean of Celebrity in either the Bahamas or the Caribbean for 3, 4 or 5 nights depending on gambling history. That’s just the start and Platinum members should also be able to earn 30% on slots and express comps alongside a 15% discount at shops.

Noir

The highest tier available in the M Life Program is Noir, an invitation-only program that’s rumored to only be available for those spending $250,000 or more per year in MGM casinos.

Benefits include a complimentary week-long cruise, a 40% bonus on slots play and express comps, VIP check-in services, private lounge access, guaranteed hotel and restaurant reservations, complimentary limo service from the airport to the hotel and the list goes on…

To cut a long story short

To cut a long story short, there’s a huge number of ways that Vegas hotels

could

inspire loyalty among patrons, but, as our case study points out, it’s the traditional loyalty scheme that proves popular with the Vegas hard-hitters.

By introducing a tier-system, customers have the incentive to try and earn tier points and move up the levels to gain access to improved benefits and amenities. With cruises, slot and express comp bonuses, shop discounts and even limo service all available and working with the brand itself, it’s not difficult to see why the

loyalty schemes are so effective

images courtesy of unsplash.com

Big second half lifts Baruch men past Raptors

CAMDEN

, N.J

. (

Dec. 9

, 201

) –

Baruch College junior guard Adnan Bajrami scored 25 of his game-high 30 points in the second half to rally the Bearcats past Rutgers University-Camden, 71-59, in a non-conference

men’s basketball game here Monday night.

Baruch improves to 5-2 with its second straight victory, while Rutgers-Camden falls to 3-5 with its fourth consecutive loss.

The Bearcats and Scarlet Raptors have played

a non-conference game for

three straight

seasons, with Baruch winning

all three games.

Behind six points from sophomore forward

Jake Petrik,

the Scarlet Raptors raced to a quick 12-3 lead to open the game. They led by as many as 10 points (15-5) before the Bearcats whittled the lead down to one on two occasions in the opening half (25-24 and 30-29).

Rutgers-Camden took a 32-29 lead into the break, but Baruch came out in the second half and scored the first four points on a layup by Bajrami and a layup by freshman guard Sean Donnellan. That gave the Bearcats their first lead of the night, 33-32. The lead changed hands four more times and the score was tied twice

before a three-pointer by Bajrami gave Baruch the lead for good, 49-46, and sparked a seven-point Bearcat run. Bajrami had five points in that sequence.

Baruch took a double-digit lead at 61-50 on a layup by Donnellan and kept the margin in double figures the rest of the way, with the biggest margin coming at 71-56.

Bajrami shot 12-for-17 from the floor, including 4-for-8 from three-point range, and also led the Bearcats with seven rebounds and a game-high five steals. Donnellan added 14 points for the visitors.

Senior forward

Isaac Destin

paced the Scarlet Raptors with 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. He also added six assists to tie teammate

Arian Azemi,

a junior guard, for game-high honors.

Azemi finished with 16 points and nine boards, while

Petrik

had 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from three-point range.

Baruch shot 25-for-55 from the floor (45.5 percent), while Rutgers-Camden shot 20-for-48 (41.7). Although the Scarlet Raptors had a 35-30 edge off the boards, they also made 30 turnovers to the Bearcats’ 20.

The Scarlet Raptors

play one more game before the holiday break. They host Kean University Saturday at 3 p.m. in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest.

Hilt sets two program marks as Raptors open indoor track season

STATEN ISLAND

, N.Y

(

Dec. 6

, 2019

) –

Sophomore

Emily Hilt (photo)

had

a record-setting debut as a member of the Rutgers University-Camden women’s indoor track team as the Scarlet Raptor men and women opened their season at the Fastrack Season Opener

Friday at the

Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex

Hilt, a transfer from Rowan College at Gloucester County, broke the Rutgers-Camden

women’s

indoor records in both the

shot put (11.58 meters) and the weight throw (

14.43

meters) to lead a strong opening-day performance. Hilt, an All-American at RCGC who set the Roadrunners’ indoor program record with a shot put of 13.12 meters,

finished fourth out of 29

athletes

in Friday’s shot put competition. She broke the old Scarlet Raptor mark of 11.51 meters, set by Mariah Brown on Feb. 24, 2012 at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships.

Hilt finished

third

out of

athletes in the weight throw while

shatter

ing the old Raptor mark of 12.93, set by Brianna Kearse on Jan. 15, 2016 at the Golden Bear Invitational.

Another former RCGC All-American, junior

Jude Misko,

also had a strong start to his season, finishing fourth of 29 in the weight throw. Misko, who set Rutgers-Camden’s indoor weight throw mark of 15.80 last season in his first year at the school, had a throw of 15.08 on Friday.

Freshman

Emmanuel Lewis

finished 11th in the weight throw (12.73 meters) and 20th of 35 in the shot put (11.48 meters) in his Rutgers-Camden debut. On the women’s side, senior captain

Nicole DeMarco

joined Hilt with a stellar performance in the shot put, finishing eighth (9.95).

Sophomore

Kirstin Slater

had a pair of strong finishes, placing 19th of 33 in the mile run (5:52.35) and 10th of 16 in the 1,000-meter event (3:35.05), while sophomore

Kayana Clue

and freshman

Imani Johnson-Young

led the women’s sprinters. Clue finished 31st of 55 in the 200-meter dash (28.23), followed by Johnson-Young in 32nd place (28.49). In the 63-athlete 60-meter dash competition, Johnson-Young was 43rd (8.42) and Clue was 46th (8.46).

On the men’s side, sophomore

Desmond Howell

finished 23rd of 75 in the 200-meter dash (23.03) and 12th of 55 in the 400-meter dash (51.09). Junior

Vinny Maine

finished 21st in the 400-meter event (52.05).

In the 48-man competition of the mile run, freshman

David Morrow

finished 30th in a time of 4:57.96.

Rutgers-Camden returns to the Ocean Breeze facility on Friday, Dec. 13, to compete in the Wagner College Shootout.

Fri.

Fastrack Season Opener

(at

Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex, Staten Island

, NY

)

MEN:

No Team Scoring

WOMEN:

No Team Scoring

Rutgers-Camden School Records:

* Women’s Shot Put, Emily Hilt, 11.58 M (Old: 11.51 M by Mariah Brown, Feb. 24, 2012 at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships)

* Women’s Weight Throw, Emily Hilt,

14.43

M (Old: 12.93 M by Brianna Kearse, Jan. 15, 2016

at the Golden Bear Invitational)

Bill to Allow College Athletes to Earn Endorsement Compensation Clears Assembly Panel

(TRENTON) –

College athletics bring in profits for higher education institutions, media outlets, sponsors and others, but the players themselves across much of the nation are prohibited from earning a piece of the revenue.

Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Lisa Swain and Chris Tully (both D-Bergen, Passaic) seeks to eliminate this disparity by allowing college athletes to earn compensation for use of their name, image or likeness. The bill (

A-5863

), known as the “New Jersey Fair Play Act,” was approved Thursday by the Assembly

Higher Education Committee.

“Athletes are the faces of the industry. They are the ones out there on the field, putting in the work that will attract spectators and create opportunities for businesses to profit,” said Swain. “It’s only fair that they have the right to earn compensation for their work.”

Under the bill, a four-year institution of higher education would be prohibited from upholding any rule, requirement, standard or other limitation that prevents college athletes from earning compensation from their name, image or likeness. Earning such compensation would not affect the student’s scholarship eligibility.

California recently passed similar legislation, and New Jersey is the 16

state to introduce such a measure. Since California approved its legislation, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced it would adopt a policy allowing college athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness within the two years. However, critics of the plan say it lacks specifics and may be too restrictive on athletes.

“Every day, student athletes generate massive amounts of value for their schools, leagues, the NCAA, and their for-profit partners. But the group that works and sacrifices the most to generate that value – the student athletes themselves- do not see a single penny,” said Tully. “The New Jersey Fair Play Act finally corrects the fundamental imbalances that have existed in collegiate athletics for far too long.”

A student athlete under the bill would not be allowed to earn compensation in connection with certain products, including adult entertainment, alcohol, casinos, gambling, sports betting, the lottery, video and online game betting, tobacco and electronic smoking products, pharmaceuticals, controlled dangerous substances, and weapons such as firearms and ammunition.

Under the measure, a four-year institution would be prohibited from joining the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any athletic association, conference, or other group or organization with control over intercollegiate athletics that:

prohibits a student athlete from earning compensation as a result of the use of the student’s name, image, or likeness

prohibits an institution of higher education from participating in intercollegiate athletics as a result of the compensation of a student athlete for the use of the student’s name, image, or likeness

provides a prospective student-athlete with compensation in relation to the student-athlete’s name, image, or likeness; or

prevents a New Jersey student participating in intercollegiate athletics from obtaining professional representation in relation to contracts or legal matters including, but not limited to, representation provided by athlete agents or legal representation provided by attorneys

Additionally, a student athlete who enters a contract to earn compensation would be required to disclose the contract to a college official. An institutional team contract would not prevent a collegiate player from using their name, image or likeness for commercial purposes when they are not engaged in official team activities.

The bill would take effect immediately and first be applicable in the fifth academic year following enactment.

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS CELEBRATE WORLD TRICK SHOT DAY

WITH FIRST-EVER “SKYDIVING TRICK SHOT”

Globetrotter Star Hammer Harrison dunks following 13,000-foot skydive to pull off ultimate trick shot

The world famous

Harlem Globetrotters

, who have made seemingly impossible trick shots part of their everyday repertoire, have once again put their shot-making expertise on center stage today to help celebrate the fourth annual World Trick Shot Day.

In celebration of this year’s World Trick Shot Day, Globetrotter star

Hammer Harrison

successfully completed the highest slam dunk ever attempted, skydiving from 13,000 feet at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Ariz., before successfully slamming home a dunk just before landing. The shot can be seen here:

World Trick Shot Day was created by the Globetrotters in order to give fans around the world a chance to celebrate what they can do with a basketball, a hoop and some creativity. Three years ago, the Registrar at National Day Calendar officially declared “World Trick Shot Day,” which is celebrated on the first Tuesday of every December.

This is the second straight year Hammer has successfully completed an amazing shot for World Trick Shot Day. Last year, he dunked off the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, a shot of over 850 feet. That shot can be seen here:

World Trick Shot Day was created to not only pay homage to the fun and entertaining aspect of the trick shot, but also to invite and engage with fans from all over the world to get in on the act as well. By using the hashtag, #WorldTrickShotDay, trick shot artists everywhere can share their attempts at one-of-a-kind moves across social media. Additionally, the Globetrotters will reward some of the best submissions with tickets to their 2020 “Pushing the Limits” World Tour.

“We work on trick shots every day, though the skydive trick shot is not one of them,” laughed Harrison, who enters his 11th season with the Globetrotters in 2020. “We practice them because it’s such a thrill for us, and for our fans. Our fans give us such great feedback when we post them. We love getting the chance to see what they can do, too.”

The Globetrotters have made trick shots a staple of their repertoire for much of their 94-year history, beginning with greats such as Goose Tatum, Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal, and continuing through with today’s Globetrotter stars, who own 22 current Guinness World Records and just weeks ago set six new marks.

The Globetrotters are currently preparing for 94

year of touring with the 2020 “Pushing the Limits” World Tour, during which the team will play in more than 250 North American markets, as well as more than 30 countries worldwide. Tickets are now available at

harlemglobetrotters.com

The Harlem Globetrotters® are legendary worldwide, synonymous with one-of-a-kind family entertainment and great basketball skills for the past 93 years. Throughout their history, the Original Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 124 countries and territories on six continents, often breaking down cultural and societal barriers while providing fans with their first-ever basketball experience. Proud inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Globetrotters have entertained hundreds of millions of fans – among them popes, kings, queens, and presidents – over nine thrilling decades. The Ambassadors of Goodwill are sponsored by Baden Sports, the Official Basketball, Champion, the Official Uniform & Apparel provider, Tum-e Yummies, the Official Fruit Flavored Drink, Carnival Cruise Line, Inc., Heelys, and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. For the latest news and information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters\’ official Web site:

www.harlemglobetrotters.com

and follow them on Twitter

@Globies

Liberty National Golf Club Millionaire’s Golf Course is Back

NEW JERSEY SIERRA CLUB OPINION

Liberty National Golf club is back and billionaire Paul Fireman is pushing legislators and lobbying to get his ultra-exclusive golf course expansion onto the Caven Point are of Liberty State Park. Just two weeks ago,

A4903 (Mukherji)/ S3357 (Cunningham),

the Liberty State Park Protection Act, aimed at keeping public parkland open to the public and away from private developers, unanimously passed out of the New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee. Developers are working to be exempt from the legislation to build their golf course.

The opening of the new golf course is a great opportunity for locals who are interested in golf to start playing the sport. In case you want to play golf but are unfamiliar with the gear and other basics of the game, you should start with a simple, inexpensive golf club set.

Callaway Strata Review

explains all the reasons why this set is so popular among beginners. It’s generally agreed that it is one of the best golf club sets for beginners.

“Once again, billionaire Paul Fireman is trying to play games with Liberty State Park. He is trying to expand his golf course in Caven’s Point, which is a wilderness area. This time he is pushing to weaken

A4903 (Mukherji),

that protects LSP, and land that belongs to all of us. Fireman is behind the scenes lobbying and campaigning to weaken the law and put a loophole in the bill big enough to fit a bulldozer, or a golf cart through. Liberty National Golf want to cut down trees and fill in wetlands for their wealthy members just to see the skyline. They will also be using an enormous amount of water, pesticides, and herbicides to maintain the course,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This land is held in the public trust and belongs to all of us, not just to be for a private club. This billionaire is trying to destroy wilderness and take our public land for millionaires.”

The Caven Point Natural Area of Liberty State Park is a 22-acre peninsula located at the southwestern-most area of the park, accessible by the waterfront walkway. This area is frequently used by birders, and fishermen, and people enjoying nature. Proponents of the golf course proposal argue it is not just a golf \”academy.\” It is a proven youth development program where life-changing opportunities are offered and fulfilled every day. They claim that if the proposed land swap that will allow the creation of The First Tee Learning Links funded by Liberty National is needlessly blocked, thousands of youth in Jersey City each year will be denied these same life-changing opportunities.

“This is the only wild are in an urban part of New Jersey. Filling in wetlands and cutting down forests here would be a reckless act for greed. Last year, Liberty National Golf Club put out a public relations campaign to try to grab public land that belongs to all of us. The youth-golfing program is a puppet show to own Liberty National Park. Liberty National Golf Club is trying to take public land from the families of these kids for their private golf course. These families can’t even afford this golf club because membership is over $300,000 a year,”

said Tittel.

“Children are already in nature programs at Caven’s Point. The golf course would deny those children opportunities to explore the environmental benefits and beauty of Caven’s Point.”

In the NJ Statehouse, legislation to protect Liberty State Park is moving forward. The \”Liberty State Park Protection Act\”,

A4903 (Mukherji),

establishes Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and requirements concerning DEP actions related to Liberty State Park. The bill would prohibit the DEP from considering any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park, except as provided in the bill. The bill would prohibit any concession, conveyance, or lease within the 235-acre natural restoration area in the interior of Liberty State Park, and at Caven Point Peninsula.

“Thousands of people use Caven’s Point for environmental programs and recreational uses such as fishing and bird watching. It is a critical area because it is the buffer between Liberty Golf Course and Caven’s Point. It is in an environmentally sensitive area that needs to be preserved. Legislation like the LSP Protection Act will help prevent harmful privatization proposals to be built at LSP. That is why it is critical for our New Jersey State Legislators to move forward on passing this bill,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“LSP belongs to all of us and Caven’s Point is an important part of the park. It should be left for people to enjoy. It is not a millionaire’s golf club. We have been fighting for 30 years to protect Liberty State Park from water parks, marinas and we will keep on fighting.”