Honoring Student Athletes

Two decades ago the Ocean County Athletic Directors got together and decided that wanted to do something about a growing problem. They recognized that
in many cases the emphasis on what high school sports should be about was heading in the wrong direction and it was spilling over onto the field and court.
It didn’t matter what rules you put in you needed athletes to follow them and lead by example. So as the school year came to a close in 1993 the AD’s held a breakfast to honor those student-athletes who best understood and carried out the ideals of sportsmanship. It didn’t matter whether they were the best on their team or frankly just a role player. A young man and woman from each school would be saluted for understanding that sports are more than just winning a losing.

I was the Master of Ceremonies for that first sportsmanship awards breakfast in 1993 and I’ve done every one but one since. The 19th annual took place yesterday at the Quality Inn of Toms River and saw 34 student-athletes honored. Because I think it’s important I want to tell you who they are:

Barnegat High School- Sharyn Moran Christopher Nueva
Brick Memorial- Brianna Gaspich Jihaad Howard
Brick Township- Rachel Marino Patrick Kearns
Central Regional- Julia Dickhaus Parker Oris
Jackson Liberty- Mary Foley Greg O’Connor
Jackson Memorial- Elizabeth Rozek Fred Scheer
Lacey High School- Gianna DiMicco Jarrod Molzon
Lakewood- Vivien Kok Willie Hawkins
Manchester Township- Amanda DeMauro Ronnie Spicer
Monsignor Donovan- Christine Eiserle Patrick Rista
Pinelands Regional- Jenn LaFalce Matt Cardillo
Point Pleasant Beach- Cora Wallace Taylor Fioretti
Point Pleasant Borough- Molly Hoffmaster Dave Halliday
Southern Regional- Maggie Kaszuba Brian Swenson
Toms River East- Kathleen Sharp Jimmy Moran
Toms River North- Juli Carbone Dominic Cifelli
Toms River South- Maureen MacIntosh Steven Petrosino

Also saluted was Kim DeGraw-Cole, who recently retired from Southern Regional as the Athletic Director of the Year…she now works for the NJISAA. The first-ever Service Award was given to June Molnar, who will retire next month after 25 years as Athletic Department secretary at Lacey Township High School.