Honoring Those Who Show Respect and Grace

Depending on the source you use “sportsmanship” is defined as playing fair, following the rules of the game, respecting the judgement of referees and officials, treating your opponents with respect and showing grace in both victory and defeat.

Each year the Shore Conference of High Schools selects those senior student-athletes who best exemplify the ideals of good sportsmanship and along with our Shore Sports Network we honored the 94 during an awards breakfast Sunday morning at the Pine Belt Arena.

I have served as Master of Ceremonies annually for what is one of my favorite events as it brings together a diverse group representing just about every sport from basketball to bowling, football to field hockey.  Some of the 94 are well-known as standouts in high-profile sports while others compete in relative obscurity outside of their teammates and family.

However they all possess the qualities and characteristics that define being a “good sportsman” and were chosen by their athletic departments as being the best representatives of their school, family and community.

One of the highlights of Sunday’s event was the awarding once again of four $1,000 scholarships from the Pine Belt Family of Dealerships who were represented by Rob Sickel, the Executive Manager of Pine Belt Enterprises.

Receiving those scholarships in a random drawing were Madison Demand (Central), Clare DeJoy (Raritan), Darrion Carrington (TR North) and PJ Ringel (Marlboro).

In addition to honoring the student-athletes the Athletic Directors saluted two of their own…Karen Hughes of Lacey and Marlboro’s Dave Ryden as Ocean and Monmouth County AD’s of the year.  Special awards were given to longtime Shore Conference attorney Granville “Skip” Magee and the family of beloved Rumson Athletic Director Walt Resier who died last summer at the age of 55.

Special thanks to Christine King Gabriel of “Let’s Have An Affair By Christine” for the balloon arches and displays on the stage at the last minute as well as the Toms River Regional School District for hosting the event.  The official program is available on line at shoresportsnetwork.com.