Dear Fans,

Welcome to another exciting year of Osprey sports! What could be better: one of the best colleges in the country, student-athletes dedicated to their sports and to their classes,
and the beautiful campus of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Stockton is dedicated to student learning and leadership, and our 17 intercollegiate sports further these goals. Our success on the sports fields is demonstrated by our winning many conference and ECAC tournament championships, appearing in NCAA tournaments, and our men's soccer team winning the 2001 National Championship.

At Stockton, we are champions in the classroom as well. As a highly selective college, we accept excellent students, and we have one of the best graduation rates in the state and region. Our graduates contribute to the community and state through their professional commitments, civic engagement, and community leadership. Unlike many colleges and universities, the graduation rate of our athletes is equal to that of our other graduates. The high quality of our 317 student-athletes is signaled by their achieving a grade point average of 3.071, and the students in 11 of our 17 athletic programs have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

As a former student-athlete, please join me in congratulating our students on their discipline, dedication to their sport, and their success as student leaders. Delight in sports is important to education and to future achievement. Preparing and participating in a game requires ability, communication, and cooperation - all essential aspects of quotidian life.

As you cheer for the performers on the field or court, please keep in mind their sacrifice and dedication. And remember that these young people aren't only preparing for the game. They are preparing for life. Thank you for coming, and enjoy.

Sincerely,

Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp Jr.