Pictured L to R: Chris Brown – Park Ridge, Steve King – Eastern Christian, Joe Ricciardelli – New Milford, and Jim Branick – Wallington. They were awarded their divisional “AD of the Year” plaques from the NJIC.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
May 29, 2013
The NJIC held their 3rd Annual Sportsmanship Awards Luncheon at the Chart House in Weehawken. Male and female recipients from all 36 conference schools were awarded plaques (http://njicathletics.org/2012-13-annual-njic-sportsmanship-award-winners/) to celebrate their selection of this prestigious award. The awards were presented by each of the four Division Presidents and At-Large Representatives.
New Jersey City University Athletic Director Alice DeFazio was the guest speaker. She gave an enlightening speech to the student-athletes about what sportsmanship meant to her as she grew up playing athletics in high school and college, and later as a high school coach, collegiate coach, and administrator. De Fazio was an All-State player at St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City and an All-American at Montclair State University. She also had a 2 year stint in the WNBA.
Also present, was columnist Darren Cooper, from the Record Sports Department. He addressed the honored guests with his take on sportsmanship in high school from a journalists point of view. He also took the opportunity to warn the students about the wrong way of using social media and its consequences.
NJIC announced the four recipients of the “Athletic Director of the Year” Award. Congratulations to the following well deserved individuals:
Colonial Division – Steve King, Eastern Christian High School
Liberty Division – Joe Ricciardelli, New Milford High School
Meadowlands Division – Jim Branick, Wallington High School
Patriot Division – Chris Brown, Park Ridge High School
