The Athletic Trainers’ Society of New Jersey (ATSNJ) recently announced their 2023 scholarship and award winners. Awards and scholarships will be awarded at the 37th Annual ATSNJ Annual Conference & Business Meeting held 3/5/23-3/6/23 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The ATSNJ Annual Awards Program will take place on 3/6/23 from 10:30am-12pm. Award and scholarship recipients were nominated by their colleagues and/or professors.
Brooke Sachau
William Paterson University
Jack Weakley D2 College Scholarship
The Jack Weakley D2 Scholarship - As the Director of the Sports Medicine Group for Johnson and Johnson Consumer Products Company, Jack Weakly, continuously played a major role in the NATA, the profession of athletic training, and the evolution of the ATSNJ. He has been instrumental in providing leadership, guidance and his support of our organization. The Jack Weakley D2 Scholarship is named for an individual who was a champion of athletic training on a national level and a true friend of athletic trainers in the state of New Jersey who share Jack’s motto “Helping those who help others.”
This year’s recipient is Brooke Sachau. Brooke is an athletic training student at William Paterson University. Her nominator, Jaclyn Morrissette states, “Brooke has always displayed a high degree of willingness to learn, ability to work well with others, and adaptability by being able to handle the challenges of multitasking.” Brooke hopes to further the profession of Athletic Training by helping people have a greater understanding of our role in the medical community.
Taylor Garron
Rowan University
Richard Malecrea College Scholarship
Richard Malacrea College Scholarship - A respected member of the NATA for 27 years, “Dick” Malacrea’s accomplishments were extensive since achieving his Certificate of Physical Therapy in 1957. Hard work and sacrifice became a way of life for Dick after serving in the US Army. He attended West Chester College as a staff athletic trainer before becoming the head athletic trainer at Princeton University. Dick was a charter member of the ATSNJ and ATSNJ Hall of Fame 1992 inductee. He was a founding father of the ATSNJ and one of the original authors of the New Jersey Athletic Training Practice Act in 1984. Dick has worked to create a high standard for athletic trainers.
This year’s recipient is Taylor Garron from Rowan University. Taylor’s supervising AT Mark Tomaszewski says. “Taylor is extremely knowledgeable but she also possesses the soft skills to counsel and support athletes on a daily basis.”Tomaszewski goes on to say that “In my experience it is rare to have someone that excels in all aspects of patient care the way she does.”
Vito Recine High School Scholarship
Aileen Forsyth
Red Bank Regional High School
Mr. Victor (Vito) Recine was an athletic trainer for over 40 years in New Jersey, and a leader in the development of our Athletic Training Practice Act. The ATSNJ awards a deserving high school student this scholarship in his name.
This year’s recipient is Aileen Forsyth. Aileen has been an athletic training student aide for two years. She has also been a member of the Varsity Field Hockey Team for four years, a member of the Student Athlete Mental Health Roundtable, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, and a LIttle Silver EMS Cadet. Aileen has attended the ATSNJ High School Athletic Training Student Aide Workshop. Aileen’s nominating ATC states “Aileen has shown the desire, commitment, and determination to succeed at the next level in her life. She has found a career through her own experiences that interests her enough to explore the opportunities that Athletic Training has to offer.”
Media Award
Jerry Carino
Garnet New Jersey Newspapers
The ATSNJ Media Award recognizes persons or entities for their positive promotion or enhancement of the Athletic Training profession in New Jersey.
This year’s recipient is Jerry Carino. Jerry is currently a news columnist and reporter for the Asbury Park Press, beat writer for college basketball, and an Associated Press Men’s Basketball Top 25 voter. Jerry also serves as a sports staff writer for the Courier News of Bridgewater, NJ. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Communication and English at Kean University. Jerry has written numerous articles pertaining to the profession of Athletic Training centered around the effects of Covid, and most recently the article “We make our own miracles: How spot-on response saved Keyport football player.”
ATSNJ Distinguished Service Award
Jessica Springstead. EdD, LAT, ATC
Matthew J. Morahan III Health Assessment Center for Athletes
The ATSNJ Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recognizes ATSNJ members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leadership, volunteer service, advocacy and distinguished professional activities as an athletic trainer. The DSA exclusively recognizes ATSNJ members who have been involved in service and leadership activities at the state and district level.
This year’s recipient is Jessica Springstead. Jessica has been an ATSNJ Northern Region Representative, Executive Council member, annual conference exhibitor chairperson, student committee co-chair, and currently serves as the ATSNJ President. She was a member of the BOC Practice Analysis Task Force and a BOC Examiner. Jessica completed her dissertation on the use of videocasting in the athletic training setting. She has presented multiple times at the ATSNJ Annual Conference and also the EATA Annual Convention. Jessica has also taught at Kean University, Saint Elizabeth University, Union County College, Seton Hall University and Stevens Institute of Technology.