A Guide to Newark’s High School and College Sports Scene

A Guide to Newark’s High School and College Sports Scene

Newark, New Jersey, boasts a rich and diverse sports culture, with numerous high schools and colleges offering a variety of athletic programs. This guide provides an overview of some notable institutions and their sports offerings.

High School Sports

Weequahic High School

Established in 1933, Weequahic High School offers a range of athletic programs, including football, basketball, track and field, and soccer. The school emphasizes the development of skills, teamwork, and discipline among its student-athletes.

East Side High School

Located in the heart of Newark, East Side High School provides a wide array of sports options such as basketball, soccer, track and field, and more. The school participates in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), fostering holistic development through athletics.

Newark Collegiate Academy

As part of the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), Newark Collegiate Academy offers sports like football, soccer, basketball, track and field, and boys’ and girls’ volleyball. The school’s athletic teams compete in the Super Essex Conference and the North Jersey Super Football Conference.

Central High School

Central High School provides various athletic programs, including football, cross country, soccer, cheerleading, girls’ volleyball, basketball, bowling, indoor track, baseball, and track and field. The school has a history of achievements in track and field and basketball.

College Sports

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

NJIT fields 19 varsity teams at the NCAA Division I level, competing in various conferences. The university offers facilities such as an indoor running track, a six-lane pool, a fitness center, and an arena that seats 4,500.

Rutgers University–Newark

The Rutgers–Newark Scarlet Raiders field teams for NCAA competition in 14 Division III sports, including basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, baseball, and softball. The Golden Dome Athletic Center serves as the hub of Rutgers–Newark athletics.

Seton Hall University

Located in nearby South Orange, Seton Hall University’s men’s basketball program competes in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference, playing home games at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Newark’s commitment to athletics at both the high school and college levels provides ample opportunities for student-athletes to excel and for the community to engage in a vibrant sports culture.