PITMAN --- Lawrence R. Schiner and the late Michael J. Scala were recognized on Sunday, June 9, as the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s first-ever recipients of the newly created Career Recognition Award at the conference’s annual awards brunch in Princeton.
 
The award was created to honor those who have significantly contributed to the success of the conference and its student-athletes. Two honorees will be chosen each year to be recognized at the awards brunch. Nominations were taken from all 10 full member institutions with the honorees selected based on a vote of the NJAC’s 20-member Board of Athletic Administrators.
 
Schiner, who spent 30 years as Director of Athletics at New Jersey City University, was joined by his wife Barbara along with a handful of family members in accepting his award on Sunday. Scala's wife Jamie and their children accepted his award. Scala spent more than two decades as Montclair State University’s sports information director before his passing in August, 2022.
 
 

LAWRENCE R. SCHINER, NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY

Served 40 years at New Jersey City University, including 30 years as Director of Athletics Spearheaded development of the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center and the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex Co-founder and Past President of both the Collegiate Athletic Administrators of New Jersey and the New Jersey Collegiate Basketball Coaches Association, including President of both organizations Instrumental in the formation of the NJAC and served as its first President from 1985 through 1987 Served on the NCAA Council/Division III Steering Committee and was a member of the Division III Task Force that reviewed the NCAA membership structure and Division III philosophy statement Served on the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Committee (1991-97), the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, and both the NCAA Nominating and Interpretations Committees Named the 2003 Jostens ECAC Male Administrator of the Year Named the 2003-04 Division III Southeast Region NACDA Athletic Director of the Year Member of Seven Different Athletic Halls of Fame

 

MICHAEL J. SCALA, MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY

Served as sports information director at Montclair State University for 22 years Honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the College Sports Communicators A 2019 inductee in the Montclair State Athletics Hall of Fame Honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America with the organization’s prestigious 25-Year Award Served as the media relations coordinator for many NCAA Championship events including the 2009 Division III Softball Championship and 2012 Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship Honored with several awards, including “Best in the Nation” honors from CoSIDA for writing and media guide production Honored with the Bob Kenworthy Division III Football Communications Award, presented to communications professionals that have made a significant impact both on and off the field Spent eight years as the Sports Information Director for the NJAC.