Athletics Program At Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Receives Award

SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD, NJ — The athletics program at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School has won the 2022 Neil Rosa Athletic Program of Excellence Award, according to an announcement from the district.

The award, distributed by the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey (DAANJ), recognizes "exemplary programs that provide safe and positive experiences and implement best practices in education-based athletic programming."

Alicia Murphy, a senior who plays field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse, said being part of the athletics community in Scotch Plains-Fanwood has been a pillar of her life and allowed her to thrive and form close friendships.

She said her coaches — Alexandra Neidig (field hockey), Ryan McKenna (basketball) and Virginia Weber (lacrosse) — as well as athletic trainer Laura Friedman, have guided her not only on the court and the field, but also through life. Their input was also instrumental in her decision to attend Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, next year, where she’ll play Division III basketball and study chemistry.

Murphy praised the athletics program and said, "the award is well deserved."

"All of our athletes have a lot of pride in their sports," she said. "The environment is very much about supporting student-athletes to be successful, and that creates a sense of community in which we can all be proud to be a Raider and be part of what SPFHS represents."

Principal Dr. David Heisey said the athletics program is built on relationships and is pivotal in the school’s goal of encouraging and supporting students to excel in academics, as well as socially, emotionally and physically through co-curricular activities.

"The Neil Rosa Athletic Program of Excellence Award celebrates our student-athletes, whose commitment to academics and athletics is a source of pride for our school and community," Heisey said. "This pride is a long-standing tradition at SPFHS, and one that we know will continue."

The SPFHS athletics program is under the direction of Assistant Principal, Athletics and Activities Ryan Miller, who said "this award reflects the immense support the program receives from the community and administration."

The award will be presented to the high school at the annual awards banquet on March 16 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City.