Student athletes from a variety of schools throughout UnionCounty will be honored at the 77th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at the L’Affaire Banquet Center. The dinner is sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association, in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal.
Among the students to be honored for their athletic achievements is Shannon Syciarz, graduate of Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark and The College of New Jersey. While at Arthur L. Johnson High School, Shannon developed a resume that was second to none. Some of her accomplishments included: First Team All Mountain valley Conference, First team All Union County, Third Team All Group II, North Jersey All Star, Arthur L. JohnsonHigh school Scholar Athlete Recipient, and a member of the 2005 Mountain valley Conference Championship Team. Shannon also competed on the Varsity Winter Track and Field Team and the Varsity Softball Team while attending Arthur L. Johnson High School.
Not to be outdone, Shannon continued her stellar career while at the College of New Jersey, where she was a four year starter for their field hockey program, starting in goal for every game of her career. In addition, Shannon was a part of three NJAC Championships (2008, 2010, and 2011), All South Atlantic Regional First Team, Two Time All NJAC First Team, and First Team All American. Shannon also had numerous accolades while at the College of New Jersey, including being ranked in the top 5 nationally in save percentage (.876) and GAA (0.68), while leading the country with 24 wins. She ended her career as TCNJ’s all-time leader in minutes played with 5,674:49, had a final record of 66-16 with 27 shutouts, and most importantly, was a member of the 2011 Division 3 National Championship Team, where she was named the tournaments Most Valuable Player. Shannon also generously volunteered her time with numerous organizations, including organizing a “Play For The Cure” Game that benefited Breast Cancer Awareness.
Katrina Anderson, English Teacher and Head Field Hockey Coach at Arthur L. Johnson High School had this to say about Shannon: “Shannon is most deserving of this, and every honor that she has received throughout her career, both in high school and college. She continues to be a role model for all of our Field Hockey student athletes, both past and present, and was a huge ingredient of the tradition of excellence that we have in our field hockey program at Arthur L. Johnson high School. Most importantly, as wonderful a field hockey athlete that Shannon Syciarz is, she is by far a much better person, and we would like to both congratulate and wish her the best in all of her future endeavors.”