Sports Shorts

Larry R. Schiner of Manalapan announced that he is retiring as the director of athletics at New Jersey City University on July 1 after 40 years at the college, the last 30 as the AD. He is one of the longest-serving ADs in the nation at any level. He has served as the athletic director at New Jersey City University since 1977.

"I feel I did the best I could to develop the athletics and intramural programs in my 30 years as athletic director," he said. "It is time for new leadership and philosophy to continue the growth and development of the program."

During his tenure as the AD, Schiner was the chief architect of unprecedented growth and improvement in Gothic Knight intercollegiate sports. He spearheaded the development of the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center and supervised the development of the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex, initiated the athletic department's extensive community outreach projects and service program, and launched the athletics Hall of Fame. He also served with distinction on the New Jersey Athletic Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and National College Athletic Association committees.

Before being named the college's AD, Schiner was the head coach of the men's basketball team. During his nine years on the bench, the Gothic Knights won two NJAC titles and his teams made postseason appearances five times, including two trips to the NCAA College Division Championship Tournament.

Schiner has been well recognized for his work, receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association and the New Jersey Sports Writers' Meritorious Service to New Jersey College Athletics Award, and was named the Division III Southeast Region NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) AD of the Year in 2003-04.

Freehold Township's Cailtyn Hennessy pitched a dream game in the NJSIAA Prep A softball championship game for the Peddie School in Hightstown. The junior tossed a no-hitter and fanned 17 as Peddie defeated Lawrenceville, 3-0, and won its third consecutive state Prep A crown.

Hennessy, who averaged more than 14 strikeouts a game for the Falcons, flirted with a perfect game before issuing a base-on-balls with two outs in the sixth. She fanned the first nine batters she faced and 15 of her first 16.

The victory was the 13th of the season for Hennessy and improved her career record at the school to 32-1.

The Seventh Annual Be the Best Youth Football Camp for players ages 7-15 will be held July 16-20 in Old Bridge from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. For additional information, contact Bob DeMarco, the head football coach at Old Bridge High School, at (732) 845-3376, or e-mail BetheBestYFC@aol.com or check out the Web site BetheBestYFC.com.