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NJCU athletic director
Larry Schiner, Rutgers-Camden softball pitcher Michelle Schlichtig, and
TCNJ baseball catcher Gerard Haran were honored by the New Jersey
Sports Writers Association at the organization’s 71st
Anniversary Banquet held at The Pine Manors in Edison on January 28.
The trio of NJAC honorees were recognized along with a number of other
distinguished individuals from the professional and amateur athletic ranks
including New York Mets Executive Vice President and General Manager Omar Minaya; Rutgers University Head Football Coach Greg Schiano; New York Mets
First Baseman Carlos Delgado; New Jersey Devils President and General
Manager Lou Lamoriello; Villanova University Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Jay Wright; and Rutgers University junior football player Ray Rice.
Schiner, who received the organization’s award for Meritorious Service
to New Jersey Collegiate Athletics, is currently in his 40th year of service to New Jersey City
University and his 30th academic year as the institution’s director of
athletics. During his tenure, he has spearheaded development of the
University’s Athletic & Fitness Center, supervised the development of the
Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, initiated the athletic department’s
extensive community outreach projects and services program, and served
with distinction on numerous New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC),
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), and National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) committees.
Schlichtig, who received the organization’s Female Athlete of the Year
Award, competed for Rutgers-Camden in softball for three seasons
highlighted by the Scarlet Raptors capturing of the 2006 NCAA Division III
National Softball Championship. The 2004 NJAC Player of the Year, she
earned NJAC Pitcher of the Year honors in both 2005 and 2006. A three-time
NJAC all-conference selection, she finished her senior season with a
record of 32-3 and a 1.03 earned run average in 224.2 innings pitched. She
led the conference in strikeouts (304), opponent batting average (.145),
and saves (4). Offensively, she batted .371 with eight home runs and 45
RBI in 50 games played during her senior campaign. A two-time first-team
All-American selection, Schlichtig led Camden to its first national championship in
any sport, its second consecutive NJAC regular season softball
championship, and its second NJAC Tournament softball crown in 2006.
Haran, who
received the organization’s Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year Award,
was selected as the 2006 American Baseball Coaches NCAA Division III
National Player of the Year. During the 2006 season, he was selected as
the Player of the Year by the New Jersey Athletic Conference, the New
Jersey Collegiate Baseball Coaches Association, the American Baseball
Coaches Association, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference. A
two-time first-team All-American, he finished his junior season with a
conference-best 14 home runs while raising his TCNJ career home
run record to 35. He finished his junior season with a .415 batting average
while collecting 71 hits, 21 doubles, 64 RBI and 64 runs scored. Haran
wrapped up his record-setting 2006 season with an .807 slugging percentage
and a .541 on-base percentage.
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