Kean University

Napoleon once said that every corporal carries a field marshal's baton in his knapsack. Nathan Weiss, who served the United States Army as a corporal during World War II, unpacked his baton 25 years later when, in 1969, he assumed the presidency of Newark State College (now Kean University).

It was under Weiss' watch that the school took the Kean moniker and underwent the greatest athletic expansion in its history. After instituting football and lacrosse programs in 1970, the school followed up with the additions of wrestling, women's soccer, softball and volleyball. The Athletic Hall of Fame was also dedicated during his tenure.

Though Weiss' inclusion in the Hall of Fame can certainly be justified by those achievements, he contributed so much more to Kean athletics than could be accurately measured on paper. During his presidential stint, Weiss was the athletic department's most loyal supporter, ardent booster and enthusiastic cheerleader. He went about making each team and coach feel that there was always a supportive administration at the school.

The growth and development of an athletic department at any institution is always a trying endeavor, but Weiss consistently lent his head, heart and voice to the effort at Kean, and should receive the proper credit for making Kean athletics the proud program it is today.