SCCC athletes gain respect n start here, play anywhere

SUSSEX COUNTY-It was a great year for the Sussex County Community College intercollegiate athletic program. All five teams had banner seasons. Four-year colleges and universities have started to notice the high caliber of athletes who are attending this college, and now see it as a valid arena from which to recruit players for their sports programs. Most often, when a student can manage the rigors of academics and athletics at a two-year college, that student athlete will fare well in a four-year college setting. Some of the college's athletes were actively recruited and received scholarships, both athletic and academic. Baseball player Ryan Crespi will continue to play his sport at St. Louis University, while Jason Blanks, Don Reinersten, and Christian Miranda look forward to taking the diamond for William Paterson University. The State University of New York at Plattsburg will add Anthony Rossi and Manny Santiago to their baseball team roster, and Jimmy Doran will continue his baseball career at Carson-Newman College. In addition, Marcus Baham, a sophomore basketball player, has received five offers and letters of interest, including one from Purdue University. Among the Lady Skylanders, Krissy Licursi will be playing for the University of Baltimore at Maryland's softball team, and Becky Pollak will continue her softball playing days at Ramapo College. Another first is a record number of Academic All-American's, surpassing the college's previous number, with four this year alone: Vinny Synol, Andrea Santanastaso, Becky Pollak, and Jared Crum. The Academic All-American Award is granted by the New Jersey Collegiate Athletic Association (N.J.C.A.A.) to athletes who maintain a 3.6 grade point average over 45 semester hours. For information about Sussex County Community College's athletic programs, call Al Becker, assistant athletic director, at 973-300-2212.