<p>I grew up in NJ and lived in Boston for many years…Now, I reside in NJ with 4 kids and here is my take: Walk into any school in NJ (elementary, middle or hs) and if you’re lucky, maybe 1-2 kids are wearing any Rutgers Sports stuff…It just isn’t cool/popular to wear the “R” logo, so these kids are raised/conditioned with this lower than great school feeling at a very young age. I believe that issue coupled with the obvious other factors everyone already stated keeps that image intact. Now, on the bright side people in Massachusetts and other areas I travel to for business all view Rutgers in a VERY positive light.</p>