Category Archives: Sports
NFL Players Present Super Bowl Footballs To Alma Mater
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
A group of Pennsauken High School alumni who played professional football on the biggest stage returned to their alma mater May 13 for a special presentation of several gold footballs from the National Football League in honor of Super Bowl 50. Dwight Hicks,’74, John Taylor,’80, and Billy Griggs,’79 – representing his late brother, David, ’85 – presented gold footballs for the three former student-athletes from Pennsauken High School who played in a Super Bowl.
Student-Athletes Inspired By Super Bowl Alumni
By Eric Mossop, Athletic Director, Pennsauken High School
This past month, Pennsauken alumni John Taylor, Dwight Hicks, and Billy Griggs came back to their alma mater to present PHS with three gold footballs in honor of alumni who have played in the Super Bowl as part of the NFL’s celebration of Super Bowl 50. During the school day, former San Francisco 49er Dwight Hicks met with student-athletes and delivered a powerful speech about his life; how persistence and competition ultimately led to his success. Weeks later, I still have student-athletes coming into my office telling me how Dwight’s speech – and how he took the time to talk with them one-on-one – has made such a difference in their daily attitudes and motivation. I can’t thank Dwight enough for the time he took out to help motivate our student-athletes.
Phifer Girls Lacrosse Celebrate 2016 Season
The Phifer Girls Lacrosse Team made great strides for the 2016 season. First year coach, Jennifer Worrell had a great turnout for tryouts back in March. Over 60 girls in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades tried out for the team. The girls worked very hard to improve with each game. Coach Worrell is very excited to see what the future brings for Pennsauken Lacrosse.
Phifer Girls Lacrosse Team
Ruby Anyanwu, Ciara Carver, Leishmillie Cedeno, Ramsha Chowdhary, Alema Gadson, Emine Gunaydin, Kiara Haywood, Arianna Hernandez, Rebecca Hudson, Elizabeth Knaus, Leslie Knaus, Satta Massaquoi, Jhocelin Morquecho, Nyla Nasir, Colleen Nguyen, Nancy Nguyen, Geoliana Nieves, Angelia Pho, Laila Porterfield, Melinda Queensbury, Eurdine Robinson, Aliyana Santiago, Aigner Settles, and Vanessa Terreros.
Team managers: Arinnett Minaya, Leslie Palmero, and Tiffany Toch.
PHS Alum And Super Bowl Champ Speaks To Student-Athletes
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
“So when you dream, dream large. Dream extra large.”
Those are the words of Dwight Hicks ’74, a PHS alum who played defensive back for the San Francisco 49ers and is a two-time Super Bowl champion. Hicks, who returned to his home town to participate in the special presentation of several gold footballs from the National Football League in honor of Super Bowl 50, spoke to student-athletes at Pennsauken High School about his experiences growing up in town and has path to playing in college and the NFL.
Hicks explained that when he made the decision to play football at the University of Michigan, some thought that the school was too big and he would get lost. But he persevered and played in the Rose Bowl twice. Selected in the sixth round in the NFL draft after graduation, Hicks was cut not once, but twice, finally sticking with the San Francisco 49ers, one of the worst teams in the league at that time. But he worked hard and never gave up. The result: his outstanding play led him to four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl rings.
Hicks told the students that they should set big goals for themselves and visualize success in order to achieve their dreams.
“Visualization of your dreams can make them reality. It’s up to you on what you will become. Strive to be the best and challenge yourself. I am you. If I can do it, you can do it.”
Philadelphia Union Day In Pennsauken Rescheduled To July 10
The Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer Club and PYAA Soccer Club have rescheduled their Union Day Event to Sunday, July 10.
The Philadelphia Union Day is open to children in the South Jersey area. The day will include inflatables and fun games, as well as a free youth soccer clinic for any interested child ages six to 13. There are two time slots available: 3:00-4:30 p.m. and 5:00-6:30 p.m.
All players must be registered, so please fill out the form – located at http://www.philadelphiaunion.com/fans/union-day-pennsauken – for each participating child. Please note that any participating child must bring their own soccer equipment and soccer ball to the clinic.
In addition to filling out this registration form, you will need to sign a waiver upon arrival at the clinic. All waivers must be signed by the parent or guardian, age 18 or older, of the registered child. Please print out and complete the waiver and bring to the clinic.
Football And Cheerleading Sign-Ups
PYAA football and cheerleading sign-ups will be every Thursday, 6:00-8:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., during June and July. Sign-ups are held at the PYAA Fieldhouse, located at 3501 Elm Ave., beginning Thursday, June 2. All forms of payment will be accepted.
PYAA cheerleading will conduct a free camp for all registered cheerleaders, beginning June 13 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The camp will also be held at the PYAA Fieldhouse on Elm Ave.
PYAA football will conduct skill clinics and drills for all registered players Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m., beginning Tuesday, June 21 at Burrwood Field, located off of Browning Rd.
PHS Track Continues To Post Record Times
By Eric Mossop, Athletic Director, Pennsauken High School
Coach Clinton Tabb and the PHS boys track team are breaking school records faster than we can put them on the record boards this school year! After an impressive winter track season, boys track has brought home consecutive team championships from both the Woodbury Relays and the Georgian Court Invitational Relays. Martin Booker, Jr. left Georgian Court with as impressive a day as any track athlete in recent history, posting New Jersey’s current number one time in BOTH the 100m (10.87 s) and the 200m (21.96 s)!
PHS Senior Marquan Jones Signs Letter Of Intent
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
On April 21, Pennsauken High School senior Marquan Jones made a commitment to further both his academic and athletic career in college, accepting a track and field scholarship at Division I Rider University. With his parents and coaches present, he signed his national letter of intent during a special media event at Pennsauken High School.
Pennsauken Resident Wins State Championship Free Throw Contest
Ten-year-old Will Hatley, a Pennsauken resident and student at Saint Peter’s School in Merchantville, was a winner at the 44th annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship, held April 3 at St. John Vianney Parish Center, Colonia, N.J.
Created in 1972, the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship attracts hundreds of thousands of young competitors each year; the organization estimates 350,000 youngsters participate in local rounds throughout the nation.
The championship is set up to have the contestants compete within their own gender and age group. All competition starts at the local level. Winners move on to the district, regional, and state or provincial levels. From there, some make it to the international level for championship competition in their group.
Congratulations To PYAA Basketball All-Stars
Congratulations to the PYAA Basketball All-Star Teams: Beginner All-Stars, Jr. All-Stars, Minor All-Stars, Coach MVP, and all the coaches!
Spring Sports Show Promise In Early Scrimmages
By Eric Mossop, Athletic Director, Pennsauken High School
Arguably, no sport brings more excitement to the PHS gymnasium than Coach Jack Killion, Jr.’s boys volleyball team. The team has made deep playoff runs each of the past five seasons, and looks to make another deep run behind the talented senior class of Malek Maddah, Robert Macauley, Andy Tran, and Jared Jordan. Junior Tuan Nguyen is also slowly becoming one of the better setters in South Jersey!
