February 2008 sports briefs

In January, Vice President for Student Life Jim Norfleet announced the appointment of John Castaldo ’82, ’83 as the athletic director for the College. Castaldo had been serving as the interim athletic director since June 1, 2007.

“An alumnus who is unwaveringly loyal to his alma mater, John has shown himself to be a creative and energetic leader,” said Norfleet. “He is dedicated to students and TCNJ’s concept of the student-athlete, understands the role of athletics and recreation in a highly selective residential college, and has an impeccable record of personal and professional integrity.”

Castaldo said of his appointment, “It is with tremendous pride and honor that I accept and look forward to working as the director of athletics and recreation at The College of New Jersey.” Castaldo added, “I am eager to work with Dr. Gitenstein and Jim Norfleet in creating our vision for the future. TCNJ is a remarkable place and I am excited about continuing to be part of it and continuing to build upon the outstanding traditions of the college and producing quality student-athletes.”

Castaldo holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from TCNJ, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban Administration in 1982 and a Master’s of Education in Administration of Physical Education and Athletic Management in 1983. He served at the helm of TCNJ’s men's basketball program for 14 seasons prior to becoming interim AD last year.

The athletics department honored a group of TCNJ students and a handful of staff members on January 21 in conjunction with the Lions’ home men’s basketball game with Brooklyn College. At halftime of the contest, TCNJ recognized members of the Bonner Community Scholars Corp who traveled to New Orleans from January 12–19 and assisted with rebuilding the homes and lives of those who were shattered by the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

On Wednesday, February 13, the women’s basketball team will sponsor a “Think Pink Night” in conjunction with the Lions’ home basketball game with Kean University. “Think Pink” is a unified effort created by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to raise breast cancer awareness across campuses and communities worldwide. Pink t-shirts will be on sale for $10 during the game on February 13, with all proceeds supporting Susan B. Komen Race For the Cure. All fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game, and make donations in lieu of an admission charge. The fan wearing the most pink gear will win a prize. There will also be raffles and pledges during the game. This year, over 670 organizations nationwide are participating in the program.

Football

With the release of the 2007 Eastern College Athletic Conference Southeast Football All-Star Team, senior defensive tackle Joe King has captured another honor for his outstanding play for the Lions. King was named the 2007 ECAC Southeast Division III Player of the Year, while a total of four Lions were named to the All-Star Team. King finished the season tied for second in the nation with 28 tackles for a loss (2.4 per game). He also finished third in the nation in sacks with 15 (1.3 per game) for total losses of 125 yards. King received the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honor for his efforts. King was also named to the D3football.com All-America Second Team after being named D3football.com 2007 East Region Defensive Player of the Year as well earning a spot on the First Team All-East Region squad.

Joining King on the ECAC Southeast All Star team were senior offensive lineman Robert Keyes, senior defensive back Andrew Larkin, and senior punter Jeff Struble.

TCNJ, Montclair State, and Rowan each had four players selected to the ECAC Southeast team, leading all schools. The ECAC will honor the players and rookies of the year in each division and region at the annual Eastern College Football Awards Banquet.

Women’s Basketball

TCNJ’s women’s basketball junior center and team co-captain Hillary Klimowicz earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors as she helped the Lions open the 2008 half of the season with the championship title at the Gwynedd–Mercy Classic. The Lions’ leading scorer and rebounder this year, Klimowicz has now surpassed the 900-career-point plateau. She has tallied 16 double-doubles on the season and added five NJAC Player of the Week selections as well. She has also earned ECAC Player of the Week honors two times this season.

TCNJ’s women’s basketball player, senior co-captain Sara Best earned a spot on the Gwynedd-Mercy Classic All-Tournament Team, while freshman Kelsey Kutch was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week (1/15/08).

Women’s Swimming and Diving

TCNJ’s 2006–07 Female Varsity Lion Award winner, Lee Swanson ’07, was honored as TCNJ’s Top Female Student-Athlete on February 3 at halftime of the Seton Hall University Women’s Basketball game in conjunction with the NJAIAW luncheon on the 22nd anniversary of National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Seton Hall.

Freshman swimmer Margaret Molloy has added her name to TCNJ’s record books for her outstanding performances in the freestyle events. In the Lions’ home meet against Rowan, she won the 1000 freestyle (10:37.96), shattering her own school record (10:53.58), which she had set just days before. Molloy also had penned her name to TCNJ’s record for the 1,650 freestyle, where she posted a time of 17:56.58 to win the event in the Lions’ tri-meet with Johns Hopkins University and West Chester University.

Men’s Swimming and Diving

TCNJ’s junior diver Greg Lloyd has had an impressive season. The returning All-American has not only posted NCAA-qualifying performances in the one- and three-meter events already, he has also broken school records along the way. The feat is even more amazing as Lloyd just started diving competitively when he started his collegiate career. In the Lions’ away meet at New York University, Lloyd broke both the NYU Aquatic Center mark as well as TCNJ’s school records, winning the one- and three-meter events with his outstanding performances. He took the one-meter event with a score of 326.11 and the three-meter event with a score of 360.90. In the one-meter event he bested the mark set in 2003 by TCNJ’s Andrew Kasney (320.45), while breaking his own one-year-old record in the three-meter, which he had posted with a score of 335.55. Lloyd has earned a pair of citations as the ECAC Division III Male Diver of the Year thus far on the 2007–08 season.

Men’s Basketball

On February 2, TCNJ’s men’s basketball team competed at New Jersey City University. Both TCNJ and NJCU’s coaching staff participated in the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers program. The coaching staffs at both institutions joined other head college basketball coaches and their coaching staffs across the country as they wore sneakers with their game attire to show their support in the fight against cancer. National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) member coaches want to express the importance of cancer prevention and early detection. TCNJ’s men’s team used the night to spoil NJCU’s Homecoming ceremony as they posted a thrilling 52-47 win over the Gothic Knights.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

Senior Brian Donatelli was named the NJAC Field Athlete of the Week on 1/21/08, while junior Martine McGrath was recognized as the NJAC Track Athlete of the Week on 1/21/08 and the ECAC Co-Track Athlete of the Week on 1/23/08.

Newcomer Cristina D’Amato earned NJAC Field Athlete of the Week on 1/21/08, while junior Stephanie Herrick was selected as the NJAC Track Athlete of the Week on 1/28/08 and the ECAC Division III Track Athlete of the Week 1/30/08. Freshman Meryl Wimberly earned NJAC Rookie of the Week on 2/4/08 for the Lions in indoor track and field.