William Paterson partners with Jackals, Cosmos at Hinchliffe

The basics:

• William Paterson University named official university partner of New Jersey Jackals, New York Cosmos
• Players will receive on-campus housing, dining access, use of university athletic facilities
• Partnership creates internships for students in marketing, sports analytics, operations & more
• Collaboration strengthens ties to Paterson, revitalized Hinchliffe Stadium

William Paterson University announced a new strategic partnership with Hinchliffe Sports Partners during a March 4 event held on campus in Wayne. The collaboration establishes the school as the official university partner of the New Jersey Jackals baseball team and the New York Cosmos soccer team.

Under the agreement, players from both professional teams will receive on-campus housing at William Paterson and access to university athletic facilities for training and practice, as well as dining services. The collaboration will also create internship opportunities for students across a range of fields, including marketing, communications and social media, sales, sports analytics, stadium operations and more; while offering discounted game tickets to students and employees.

University leaders said the partnership strengthens William Paterson’s longstanding ties to the city of Paterson – where the institution was founded in 1855. It also expands career pathways for students and deepens engagement with the city’s revitalized Hinchliffe Stadium.

Local officials and team representatives said the collaboration is designed to support community connections, provide hands-on professional experience for students, and contribute to economic and cultural activity surrounding the stadium.

A shared commitment

“This innovative new collaboration reflects our shared values of opportunity, access, and excellence,” said Richard Helldobler, president of William Paterson University. “We are excited for this partnership, and what it means for William Paterson and our students; for Hinchliffe Sports Partners and these two storied professional sports teams; and for the City of Paterson, where our institution began more than 170 years ago.

“We continue to maintain strong community ties throughout Paterson, and we are excited by the opportunity to forge new ones, like the partnership we celebrate here today.”

Baye Adofo-Wilson, owner of Hinchliffe Sports Partners, the Jackals and the Cosmos, expressed his excitement about the partnership. He said it reflects a shared commitment to Paterson and to preparing the next generation of leaders.

“It’s important that you have institutions like William Paterson who are engaged in the community and in our cities,” said Adofo-Wilson, who was part of the Hinchliffe Stadium revitalization as a developer (BAW Development). He then purchased both the Jackals and Cosmos through the Hinchliffe Sports Partners group. The Jackals have played at Hinchliffe since its re-opening in 2023. The Cosmos debut this year.

How do you help to transform the city, improve it? I think that education should be at the forefront …
— Baye Adofo-Wilson, owner, Hinchliffe Sports Partners, NJ Jackals, NY Cosmos

“How do you help to transform the city, improve it? I think that education should be at the forefront, whether it’s changing people’s lives, or improving their lives, or even just giving them a foundation for learning,” Adofo-Wilson. “[William Paterson] is a spectacular campus in close proximity to the stadium.

“And I wanted us to grow together and for the players to have a space where they feel safe, where they feel comfortable, and because of their ages, I think it’s important for them to be in an educational environment.”

A ‘field of opportunities’

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh described the announcement as an auspicious day. He said it marks another victory for the city and for William Paterson University.

“And when we talk about Hinchliffe Stadium, it is not only a field of dreams, but it’s a field of opportunities,” said Sayegh. “We are going to propel Paterson through professional sports and also afford opportunities to individuals for empowerment. So, this is a banner day for the city of Paterson.

“This is winning for a city that really needs it.”

Sayegh said that when you’re trying to position a place like Paterson for progress, it’s not a spectator sport. “It’s a team sport. Nobody can afford to sit on the sidelines.

“We need you on the field, in the game, scoring the goals, and hitting the home runs,” he said.

Making things happen

Sen. Benjie Wimberly, D-35th District, echoed those sentiments. He called it a great day for WP and the Silk City.

“This collaboration, when it comes to opportunities for internships, is so, so important because there’s nothing like hands-on opportunities to work there, and hopefully that same energy that will come from William Paterson down to Hinchliffe Stadium,” said Wimberly. “Thank you, president, for this opportunity to collaborate and Baye, thank you for your vision. It takes people who have visions to make sure that these things happen.”

“It’s partnerships like this that make things happen, that represent something bigger than sports, that represent synergy where education, athletes, and community intersect and create real opportunities for our region,” said Orlando Cruz, a Passaic County commissioner, president and CEO of the Paterson Chamber of Commerce, and the external relations director for the Cosmos and the Jackals.

“Professional sports teams have tremendous potential to bring communities together and make a positive economic impact on local neighborhoods, the entire city, and beyond,” said Helldobler. “Our new WP/HSP partnership will help power progress in the Silk City.”