Chatham Teacher Inducted Into Montclair State University Hall Of Fame

CHATHAM, NJ — A Chatham High School teacher was recently inducted into the Montclair State University Hall of Fame for her achievements as a college volleyball player.

Anna Amster, a Chatham High School physical education and health teacher and volleyball coach, was awarded the honor during a ceremony on Sept. 26, officials said.

“It was an incredibly humbling and surreal moment in my life. I feel extremely appreciative for such an honor and to all the individuals who helped me get to this moment,” Amster said.

The ceremony took place at the Valley Regency in Clifton. The overall number of hall of fame honorees is 231, with Amster being a member of the first class inaugurated in 2019.

Amster was the head volleyball coach of the Chatham girls' volleyball program from 2010 to 2021 and founded the first NJSIAA boys' volleyball program in 2017.

In 2022, she designed a Leadership Education Adventure Discovery option in the Chatham curriculum to foster students' leadership, life skills, and teamwork abilities, integrating many of the skills and experiences gained through her Montclair education.

Aside from her work at Chatham, she also founded her own LLC in 2013 with the goal of introducing and attracting youth volleyball players.

According to the Montclair State Department of Athletics, Amster was a driving force in helping the Montclair State volleyball team make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history during the 2007 season, leading the Red Hawks to their second NJAC Championship.

During her final season at Montclair State University in 2009, her 192 kills and 103 rejections helped Montclair go undefeated in the NJAC regular season at 8-0. She finished her career as the program leader with 469 blocks and was just the third player at the time to collect 1,000 career kills.

Amster currently ranks first on the career leaderboard for total blocks (469) and attack percentage (.293). She also ranks sixth in kills (1,080).

“Congratulations to Mrs. Amster on this recognition. The hard work and success she achieved in volleyball have contributed to her excellence in the classroom. Her dedication to physical education and her students is commendable,” Chatham High School Principal Doug Walker said.

Amster now resides in Bridgewater with her husband, fellow Montclair alumnus Owen Amster, and their two children.