William Paterson University and Hinchliffe Sports Partners Form Strategic Partnership

On Mar 6, 2026

William Paterson University has announced a new strategic partnership with Hinchliffe Sports Partners (HSP), operators of historic Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson and owners of the New Jersey Jackals baseball team and New York Cosmos soccer team.

Under the agreement, William Paterson University will serve as the official university partner of both professional teams. The collaboration:

• Provides on-campus housing for Jackals and Cosmos players, along with access to university athletic facilities for training and practice, and University dining services;
• Creates priority internship opportunities for WPU students across multiple disciplines, including marketing, communications and social media, sales, accounting, stadium and team operations, sports data and analytics, merchandise and licensing, athletic training, website management, and graphic design;
• Establishes a staffed university presence on the Hinchliffe Stadium concourse during games to support community outreach in Paterson; and
• Offers discounted game tickets to William Paterson University students and employees.

“This innovative new collaboration reflects our shared values of opportunity, access, and excellence,” said Richard J. 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, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to Paterson and to preparing the next generation of leaders.

“We are really excited about this partnership,” Adofo-Wilson said. “It’s important that you have institutions like William Paterson who are engaged in the community and in our cities. 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. (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.”

“It is an auspicious day. This is 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 Mayor 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. Because 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.”

Under the agreement, the Jackals and Cosmos will live and practice on the university’s campus before playing home games at Paterson’s restored Hinchliffe Stadium, deepening the connection between the uiniversity and its native city.

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

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

Related Articles: