Rutgers Scarlet Knights Overview

Fast facts

League: Division I (NCAA)

Head Coach: Steve Pikiell

Team Mascot: Scarlet Knight

Year Opened: 1977

Capacity: 8000

City / State: Piscataway / New Jersey

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Rutgers vs Seton Hall

Rival Team: Seton Hall Pirates

Rutgers have a fierce in-state basketball rivalry with nearby Seton Hall. The Scarlet Knights and Pirates were both members of members of the Big East Conference for years and there is no love lost between these two New Jersey-based schools. Don’t miss it when Seton Hall comes to town if you want to see The RAC at its wildest.

Penn State vs Rutgers

Rival Team: Penn State Nittany Lions

Rutgers and Penn State have a bit of a budding rivalry with the two schools being closest to each other geographically. However, things are yet to take off between these two as both programs have struggled since Rutgers joined the Big Ten. While the rivalry may be a work in progress, a Rutgers-Penn State game still presents a fun Big Ten matchup.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Stadium Guide

In Game

When attending a marquee matchup at The RAC, you’ll be treated to one of the atmospheres in college basketball. Players and commentators alike have given plaudits to The RAC and Rutgers crowd for their ability to get into the heads of opposing players and create an intimidating place to play.

The fact The RAC is the smallest arena in the Big Ten plays a significant role in its incredible home court advantage as the fans are right on top of the court. You also won’t find a lot of frills here, so everyone in attendance is there to see the game and cheer on the Scarlet Knights creating one of the most die-hard and knowledgeable crowds out there.

The RAC may not be the fanciest arena in the Big Ten, but it can be one of the toughest to play in meaning you’ll experience an excellent atmosphere if attending one of the Scarlet Knights biggest games.

Things to check out

Championship Banners

Hanging around the Jersey Mike's Arena are banners honoring the Scarlet Knights past conference championships. Rutgers is yet to win a Big Ten title, but when they do look for a banner to be raised alongside those honoring their previous titles.

Big Ten Banners

You’ll also find banners showing off all the Big Ten schools when attending a Rutgers basketball game. The Big Ten banners are a nice touch that shows off how exciting Rutgers’ future looks now that they’ve joined the Big Ten.

Scoreboard

The center court scoreboard at The RAC does an excellent job of showing replays. No matter where you’re sitting in The RAC, you’ll have a great view of the scoreboard.

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The Scarlet Knight

You can see Rutgers’ Scarlet Knight mascot entertaining the crowd at every basketball game. He can be seen leading cheers and performing all kinds of antics. Look for the Scarlet Knight to energize the crowd when you’re at a Rutgers football game.

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Pep Band

The Rutgers pep band provides a lively atmosphere with their unique musical performances. Don’t miss it when the pep band plays the Rutgers fight song or “on The Banks of the Old Raritan,” if you want to get the full Rutgers experience.

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Cheerleaders

The Rutgers cheerleaders keep the crowd on their feet with their cheers and stunts. Keep your eyes open for the cheerleaders for your chance to win some cool giveaways.

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Fight Songs

  1. Rutgers University Scarlet Knights Fight Song

    March, men of Rutgers
    Down the field today.
    March to another score,
    Forward to the fray;
    Fight, men of Rutgers
    As in days gone by
    Fight! For the Scarlet Flag over the rest must fly.

    Keep Rutgers colors to the fore
    For they must win so fight, fight, fight!
    And we’ll advance some more to score,
    The Rutgers flag flies high tonight, alright, alright
    We’ll fling the Scarlet Banner out,
    And Rutgers men will fight, fight, fight, fight, fight;
    The bells of Queens each victory shout
    The bells of Queens must ring tonight.

    RU, Rah, Rah;
    RU, Rah, Rah,
    Whoo-Rah, Whoo-Rah;
    Rutgers Rah

    Up Stream Red Team
    Red Team Up Stream
    Rah, Rah, Rutgers Rah

    Keep Rutgers colors to the fore
    For they must win so fight, fight, fight!
    And we’ll advance some more to score,
    The Rutgers flag flies high tonight, alright, alright
    We’ll fling the Scarlet Banner out,
    And Rutgers men will fight, fight, fight, fight, fight;
    The bells of Queens each victory shout
    The bells of Queens must ring tonight.

  2. On The Banks of the Old Raritan

    From far and near we came to Rutgers,
    And resolved to learn all that we can;
    And so we settled down,
    In that noisy college town,
    On the banks of the old Raritan.

    Refrain:
    On the banks of the old Raritan (my friends)
    Where old Rutgers evermore shall stand,
    For has she not stood 

    Since the time of the flood,
    On the banks of the old Raritan.

    Then sing aloud to Alma Mater
    And keep the scarlet in the van’
    For with her motto high
    Rutgers’ name shall never die
    On the banks of the old Raritan.

    (Refrain)

    1914 single-gender text

    My father sent me to old Rutgers,
    And resolv’d that I should be a man;
    And so I settled down, In that noisy college town,
    On the banks of the old Raritan.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Bars & Restaurants

  1. Golden Rail Pub

    Golden Rail Pub

    Neighborhood standby decked with LED lights & TVs offering happy hour specials & karaoke.

    66 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-846-6279

    Bar website

    american - $

  2. Harvest Moon Brewery & Cafe

    Harvest Moon Brewery Cafe

    Relaxed place with exposed-brick walls serving an eclectic pub menu alongside house-brewed beers.

    392 George St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-249-6666

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. Old Man Rafferty’s

    Old Man Raffertys

    Family-friendly American restaurant with big menu of hearty fare, outdoor seating & pub-type feel.

    106 Albany St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-846-6153

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. Olde Queens Tavern

    Olde Queens Tavern

    A Rutgers Tradition Since 1933.

    108 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-846-4006

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  5. Olive Branch Bar

    Olive Branch Bar

    Popular with college students, this low-key haunt offers a full bar, pub grub & TVs for sports fans.

    37 Bartlett St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-729-0203

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  6. Stuff Yer Face

    Stuff Yer Face

    It is famous for its selection of stromboli sandwiches and beers from around the world.

    49 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-247-1727

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. PJ’s Grill and Pizza

    PJs Grill and Pizza

    From their pizza dough, to their homemade panini bread and pesto, many of their ingredients are prepared from scratch daily.

    166 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-249-1800

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. R U Hungry

    R U Hungry

    Parked food truck is known for big list of "fat" stuffed sandwiches plus subs, salads, wraps & more.

    95 Hamilton St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-246-2177

    Bar website

    american - $

  9. The Frog and the Peach

    The Frog and the Peach

    Gourmet American restaurant offering creative seasonal cuisine, fine wines & a coveted garden room.

    29 Dennis St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-846-3216

    Bar website

    american - $$$

  10. Steve’s Pizza

    OHOP Orono House of Pizza

    Come enjoy our freshly made Pizzas, Appetizers, Entrees, Pastas, Baked Dishes, Soups, Subs, Calzones, Wraps, Sandwiches, Chicken and Salads.

    900 Easton Ave, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA

    732-247-0400

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  11. Catherine Lombardi

    Catherine Lombardi's dining room

    Catherine Lombardi is a crown jewel in New Brunswick's thriving downtown.

    3 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

    732-296-9463

    Bar website

    italian - $$