NJAC NEWS ARCHIVE

 2002-03

October 23, 2002


NJAC HONOREES CAPTURE CAANJ AWARDS


REIGHN HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS GARDEN STATE AWARD


The Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey presented its 2001-02 awards at the Somerset Marriott Hotel and two NJAC individuals and one institution were honored during the organization's awards luncheon on October 23, 2002.

Joy Reighn, Rowan University's Director of Athletics was the recipient of the organization's prestigious Garden State Award, presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to intercollegiate athletics in the State of New Jersey. Active at the state, regional and national levels, Reighn has held numerous positions of leadership. Among her many areas of service, she has served as president of the New Jersey Athletic Conference, president of the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, and president the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey.

In addition to directing one of the most successful collegiate athletic programs in the nation, Reighn has served as the chair of the Division III Management Council and as chair of the Division III Championships Committee.

"This is a very special day for me," Reighn said in her acceptance speech. "It's a great honor for me to be recognized by my peers."

In accepting her award, Reighn complimented the efforts of the coaching and administrative staff at Rowan.

"This award belongs as much to my staff - the people who work in the trenches - as it does to me," Reighn said. "We all have very high expectations at Rowan, but we're a family that works extremely hard and supports each other."


MENGES NAMED TOP DIVISION III FEMALE STUDENT-ATHLETE

Former William Paterson University softball and field hockey standout Jen Menges was named 2001-02 CAANJ Division III Female Athlete of the Year. An NJAC All-star in both sports with a 3.56 grade point average, Menges was the ideal student-athlete according to her former coach in both sports.

"Jen was a walk-on student-athlete who demonstrated a tremendous work ethic in everything she attempted," William Paterson softball and field hockey coach Hallie Cohen said. "Her accomplishments are not limited to the playing field, but extend to the classroom and to her community through her many service initiatives."

Menges, who is completing work on her bachelor's degree at William Paterson, expressed gratitude for the organization's award.

"I'm very excited and appreciative for this honor," she said. "There are so many great athletes in the NJAC, and it's a great honor just to be nominated, let alone to be named the best Division III female athlete in the state. I'm very thankful to my coaches and teammates for helping me achieve so much in my time at William Paterson."

THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY CAPTURES CAANJ DIVISION III CUP


The College of New Jersey was honored with its fourth consecutive CAANJ Cup, awarded to the top overall Division III athletic program in the State of New Jersey.

TCNJ enjoyed a banner year athletically in 2001-02, with the Lions finishing third overall in the national Sears rankings. TCNJ placed 13 of its 21 teams in NCAA Tournaments and 126 Lion student-athletes compiled a 3.30 grade point average or higher. In addition, 88 TCNJ athletes achieved a GPA of 3.00 or better. 
Click here for 2001-02 NJAC News Archives