Foster's Division I career began in 1963 at Rutgers University, where he led the Scarlet Knights to an overall record of 120-75 (.615) in eight seasons.
In addition to talented returnees Spanarkel and Gminski, Foster added Indiana transfer Bob Bender who was on the Hoosiers legendary undefeated 1976 NCAA Champions and stunned everyone by getting a verbal commitment from one of the top players in America, Gene Banks.