Ewing, NJ---The College of New Jersey football team will host William Paterson University on
Saturday, October 18 in conjunction with Homecoming 2008. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. in Lions' Stadium. Lions' Stadium, which was resurfaced in the spring of 2008 with a new surface, Tiger Turf's Trophy Turf. In conjunction with the pre-game ceremony, 1983 Heisman Trophy Winner, Mike Rozier (formerly of Camden, NJ/Woodrow Wilson) will be in attendance at the contest and will participate in a pre-game coin toss with college president, Dr. R. Barbara Gitenstein and the team's captains.

In addition to participating the pre-game ceremony, Rozier will be on hand to sign autographs and meet the fans in conjunction with the festivities planned around Homecoming at TCNJ.

Now in its 25th year of operation, Lions' Stadium has provided area fans with top-caliber athletic competition in a variety of sports. Opened during the fall of 1984, it is not only home to TCNJ football team, but also the Lions' the field hockey, men's and women's soccer, and women's lacrosse teams. In addition, Lions' Stadium was host to the 1994 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Final Four; seven NCAA Division III field hockey championships; the 1990 Eastern Regional Football Championships; the 1991, 1995, 2000, and 2005 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Championships; the 1994 First Fidelity High School Football All-Star Game; the 1997 First Union North-South All-Star Football Game; and several Sunshine Classic Football all-star games. In addition to a number of regional and early-round NCAA contests, Lions' Stadium also hosts several special events each year, most notably the New Jersey Special Olympics.

The focal point of the stadium, which can hold up to 6,000 spectators, is the new articial turf by Tiger Turf, which is the first installation of the Trophy Turf in the United States. The new surface was installed in May of 2008. Also the first of its kind is the vertical drainage system, which was installed in 1983 and prevents the duck pond effect usually associated with other artificial surfaces during rainstorms.

The lighted field, which also serves the general campus community as a center for intramural activity, was complemented last in 1988 with the completion of a two-level press box, grandstand, concession stand, and restroom facilities. At the forefront of the latest addition is a carpeted, 750-square foot pressroom. The press box, which occupies the lower level of the two-level facility, includes a working pressroom of some 600-square feet, in addition to a television booth and officials' booth. The second level includes a 450-square foot camera deck, TCNJ spotter booth, and skybox. The entire facility is heated and includes private restrooms on each level.

Since debuting in Lions' Stadium on Sept. 14, 1984, TCNJ has compiled a record of 75-47-2 against all foes. In their facility debut, the Lions fell 26-17 to William Paterson, but have since combined for a .615 win percentage in the facility. While in action on Friday nights, TCNJ has also gone on to accumulate a record of 30-19-1 in Lions' Stadium. TCNJ has had 124 home varsity football contests in the facility since it opened its gates in 1984 and this Saturday's match-up will mark the 125th home football game in the facility.

1983 - 49th Hesiman Award Winner
Mike Rozier, University of Nebraska
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Mike Rozier became Nebraska's second Heisman winner in 1983, when he rushed for a school-record 2,148 yards and 29 touchdowns. Rozier's 4,780 rushing yards are tops on Nebraska and Big Eight Conference career charts and his 52 touchdowns trail only Heisman winner Eric Crouch.
Rozier rewrote the Nebraska rushing and scoring record book, along with making a considerable dent in the Big Eight and NCAA books during a phenomenal senior season. Rozier was a first-round selection by both the USFL (first pick overall) and the NFL (second pick overall in the supplemental draft) after setting Nebraska's rushing records for attempts in a season (273) and career (668) and a then-school record for yards in a game (285 vs. Kansas). Rozier set Big Eight marks for yards per carry in a season (7.81) and career (7.16) and yards gained in four consecutive games (929 in his last four).

He set the Nebraska and Big Eight marks with 29 touchdowns and 174 points in 1983, while his 51 career rushing touchdowns and 312 points trail only fellow Heisman winner Eric Crouch's 59 rushing touchdowns and 368 career points among position players in the Husker record book. All 29 of Rozier's touchdowns in 1983 came on the ground, setting an NCAA record, in addition to tying the NCAA record for total touchdowns.

More recently, Rozier was one of six Huskers named to Sports Illustrated's 85-player All-Century Team, joining Johnny Rodgers, Dean Steinkuhler, Rich Glover, Tommie Frazier and Aaron Taylor.
Rozier was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and will be officially inducted during ceremonies in 2007.

Following his collegiate career, Rozier played professional football in the USFL and the NFL. He was drafted in 1984 by the Houston Oilers in the supplemental draft, but played for the Pittsburgh Maulers. For his NFL career, he played seven seasons, finishing his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons in 1991.