Men’s basketball cited for sportsmanship award by referees

The College of New Jersey men’s basketball team was chosen as the recipient of the Sam Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award for the 2011–12 season.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

The College of New Jersey men’s basketball team was chosen as the recipient of the Sam Schoenfeld Sportsmanship Award for the 2011–12 season. The award is presented by the referees who are members of the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association (CBOA).

Head coach Kelly Williams ’93 was notified of the award by the CBOA. Areas considered in the voting included overall sportsmanship by the head coach, players, and fans of each institution.

Sam Schoenfeld, a former college basketball great who possessed a great deal of energy, impeccable honesty and a charismatic personality, was one of the CBOA’s founding fathers. Sam espoused integrity and strong character, which set him apart from most men. A brief illness took Sam’s life in early 1956, and as a result CBOA decided to memorialize Sam through an award that would be annually presented to a person who exemplified the principles and characteristics so prominently displayed by Sam Schoenfeld. Accordingly, the award is presented to the college or university, which in the judgment of the CBOA membership, best exemplifies “the highest degree of sportsmanship, character, and ethics among their players, coaches and spectators.”