Columbia High School Athletic Director Larry Busichio was recently presented with the 11th annual NJSIAA ShopRite Cup for Best Athletic Program – Group IV in 2014.
This award represents the first time Columbia High School has received this honor.
The ShopRite Cup Award presentation took place on September 19, 2014 during half-time of Columbia’s first home Varsity football game at Underhill Field. An award banner declaring this honor now hangs in the front entrance foyer of Columbia High School. The ShopRite Cup trophy is housed in the school’s awards display case in the gymnasium wing. A congratulatory banner for Columbia is also displayed at the sponsoring ShopRite in Millburn — ironically, the town of the high school that won the same award for this Group in 2013.
According to their website, the NJSIAA — or New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association — was founded in 1918, and is a voluntary, non-profit organization made up of 433 accredited public, private and non-public high schools in the state. The New Jersey Association joining with the other forty nine State Associations constitutes the National Federation of State High School Associations representing high school athletics since 1920. Today, the federation represents 22,000 schools, more than 330,000 coaches, and almost 4.5 million high school athletes.
The NJSIAA partnered with ShopRite stores across New Jersey in 2004 to sponsor this award that honors “top athletic performing high schools in their Group during that year,” said Busichio, who became Athletic Director for Columbia High School in 2012. Public high schools are put in Groups IV, III, II, I (larger to smaller) as well as non-public schools (Groups A and B).
Due to Columbia’s larger size, it is placed in Group IV.
The ShopRite Cup is awarded from the total points accrued after the completion of Fall, Winter and Spring (2013-14) seasons and state championship competitions. In 2014, Columbia High School placed 1st overall in Boys and Girls Fencing, Girls Indoor Track Relays and Individuals, and Girls Spring Track and Field. Said Busichio, “We also received a number of points because we didn’t have any players and/or coaches ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct throughout the entire year.” Columbia also had no disqualifications during Winter and Spring seasons.
Looking ahead at the direction of Columbia’s Athletic Program, Busichio said, “We still have a lot of work to do.” However, Busichio said that he is very proud and enthusiastic about this honor. He also hopes that this recognition raises the Columbia Cougar pride even higher in the school and community for the CHS athletic teams.
For more information about The ShopRite Cup and the NJSIAA, visit their website: www.njsiaa.org.
