Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine will lead a private fundraising effort to raise $30 million to build a new football stadium at Rutgers University.

In a letter late today to William Howard, chairman of the Rutgers Board of Governors, Corzine said he and state Senator Raymond Lesniak, a Union County Democrat, intend to lead the campaign. They said they have identified $3 million in seed money to start the project.

Corzine didn't disclose the source of the funds in the letter, also sent to President Richard L. McCormick and Robert E. Mulcahy, director of intercollegiate athletics. The Record and Herald newspapers' Web site reported Corzine will donate $1 million and Lesniak $100,000. Lilo Stainton, Corzine's spokewoman, wouldn't confirm the donation amount.

``In recognition of the important contribution that the football program makes to the University and to the state as a whole, we are pleased to offer our support to this important project,'' Corzine and Lesniak wrote.

The stadium plan envisions a $116 million expansion. Rutgers had hoped to finance the project by selling $86 million of bonds and obtaining a $30 million state grant.

After struggling to fill the 41,500-seat stadium in Piscataway last season, Rutgers fortunes changed when the football team won a record 11 games, including the Texas Bowl. Corzine has ruled out state funding for the project amid an estimated $3 billion shortfall New Jersey faces in its next fiscal year, beginning July 1.

In April, Rutgers awarded a $970,000 contract to HOK Sport of Kansas City, Missouri, to design an expansion of the 13-year- old stadium, according to a letter to HOK from the school's architect.

To contact the reporter on this story: Terrence Dopp in Trenton, New Jersey, at tdopp@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 5, 2007 19:46 EST