JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University's athletics department and the New York Red Bulls organization of Major League Soccer reached a facility usage partnership this summer that has transformed the natural grass soccer training field at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex to professionally-approved standards.
 
Phase one of the project began in early June and involved regrading, aeration and reseeding of the training facility located behind the Robert L. McNulty Soccer Field stadium seating and adjacent to the baseball field and Society Hill Waterfront development along the banks of Newark Bay. The project, which is still ongoing, will also involve overall maintenance of the training facility.
 

As part of the usage agreement, NJCU athletics and the New York Red Bulls will collaborate on allocating and scheduling trainings at the facility by professional and international soccer clubs.
 
The first international team to utilize the facility was French Guiana on Wednesday, July 5 as the South American nation prepared for its Gold Cup 2017 game against Canada on July 7 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The Canadian National Team also practiced at the NJCU facility on Saturday, July 8.
 
NJCU's training field previously served as the primary game field for the Gothic Knight men's and women's soccer programs through the end of the 2008 season before the main stadium at the Gerrity Complex was rededicated and transformed into the current soccer stadium.
 
Head men's soccer coach Joe Cullen, who was instrumental in helping bridge the agreement, said: "We are excited about this partnership with the New York Red Bulls and one that we hope continues to grow and flourish. The improvements to the training area in just one month are incredible and will give NJCU one of the finest grass training surfaces in the region.  We are looking forward to the future of this mutually beneficial relationship and will provide a gracious, world-class atmosphere for many national teams and clubs to prepare in a private setting."
 
GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:
For the latest on NJCU men's and women's soccer and NJCUMSOC and NJCUWSOC, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat. Preferred hashtags are GothicGameDay and GothicFamily.