In the spring of 1993 athletic directors from the high schools in Ocean County decided to start a program aimed at promoting good sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship Award honorees pose for a group picture at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River.
Sportsmanship Award honorees pose for a group picture at the Clarion Hotel in Toms River (Townsquare Media NJ)
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Kevin Williams with Toms River North Sportsmanship Award recipient Chris Gulla who will be playing football at Penn State.
Kevin Williams with Toms River North Sportsmanship Award recipient Chris Gulla who will be playing football at Penn State (Townsquare Media NJ)
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The idea was to salute a male and female from each of the schools who best personified the ideals of fair play, citizenship, ethics and respect and bring them together in early June for an awards breakfast. One of the AD’s called me and asked if I would serve as Master of Ceremonies and liking the concept I said yes. I’ve said yes each year since, although I did miss one for a family function.

Yesterday 34 soon-to-be graduates were honored at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Toms River, chosen as representatives of their schools and athletic departments. With their families and even coaches on hand the 21st class of “good sports” is an impressive group.

 

The honored student-athletes are:

Barnegat- Bethany Cunningham  & Trevor Odgers

Brick Memorial- Marie Erin Moore & Anthony Miller

Brick Township- Jillian Olsen & Derek Bibza

Central Regional- Brittni-Nicole Calleo &  Rachid Zidani

Jackson Liberty- Amy Hickman & Christopher Cruz

Jackson Memorial- Sydney Lavan & Eddie Guippone

Lacey- Alyssa Smialowicz & Brock Torre

Lakewood- Jennel Boston & Alex Martinez

Manchester- Kimberly Schwartz & John Morton, III

Monsignor Donovan- Francesca Gervato & Christopher Scerbo

Pinelands- Alicia Herbert &  Dominic Hernandez

Point Beach- Casey Jackson & Andre Cochran

Point Boro- Jessica Macchi & Ryan Thrunk

Southern Regional- Kathryn Loftus & Rob Dengel

Toms River East- Marisa Beckett &  Kyle Smyth

Toms River North- Danae O’Halloran & Chris Gulla

Toms River South- Noelle Shirey & Kevin Corrigan

Ocean County Athletic Director of the year John Craddox of Lakewood with his wife Linda
Ocean County Athletic Director of the year John Craddox of Lakewood with his wife Linda (Townsquare Media NJ)
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Also honored at the breakfast was Lakewood’s John Craddox as the Ocean County Athletic Director of the Year while athletic department secretaries Margaret Redden of Brick Township and Sara Petraccoro of Brick Memorial received the Ocean County Service Persons of the Year award.

In addition Southern Regional and Monsignor Donovan earned 2013 school sportsmanship awards for their respective divisions within the Shore Conference.

 

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