2010 Hall of Fame Inductees
Shawnee High School
2010 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Bonnie Brown
As a member of the Shawnee class of 1987, it was tough keeping Bonnie Brown off the basketball court, lacrosse field, and running track. But it would be her expertise in field hockey that would win out over all of her other sports. Bonnie earned 10 varsity letters in her four years at Shawnee High School. She was chosen as the “Top Field Hockey Player of the 80’s” by the Burlington County Times. Bonnie was the first player in Shawnee history to be honored nationally as “U.S. Field Hockey Association High School All-American” for 1986. She was the only sophomore selected to go to Europe in 1985 with a highly regarded South Jersey field hockey traveling team. After playing in the Garden State games in 1985 and 1986, she won the Governor’s Cup for Most Valuable Player. Bonnie then traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to play in the 1986 Junior Olympics. In 1987, Bonnie was selected by her class as “Best Female Athlete.” In her four years as a Shawnee field hockey player, Bonnie started in all 72 games and her teams endured only five losses. In 1986, she was voted Team Captain, All-State 1st Team by the Newark StarLedger, All South Jersey 1st Team, Defensive Player of the Year by the Courier-Post and Philadelphia Inquirer, and All Burlington County 1st Team. After graduation, Bonnie went onto Yale University to major in Political Science. She earned two varsity letters playing field hockey and became a U.S. Field Hockey Association Regional All-American in 1988. Bonnie and her husband, Richard Kowalski, now live in Raleigh, North Carolina. She serves as the Assistant to the Head of Repayment and Guaranty Service for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.
Dan Earl
Truly one of the finest players in Shawnee basketball history (let alone South Jersey and New Jersey history, for that matter) was Dan Earl, Class of 1993. He was the Renegades stand out point guard for four years, earning four Varsity letters as a starter and team captain. Dan was responsible for drawing thousands of fans to the Shawnee boys’ basketball games to watch his superior ball handling skills, impeccable three-pointers, and relentless defense. Dan began accumulating basketball awards in his sophomore year. By the time he was a senior in 1993, Dan was awarded First Team All-Burlington County Liberty Division, All-Burlington County, All-South Jersey Group 4, All-South Jersey and All-State, Third Team All-USA, Player of the Year in Burlington County, South Jersey and the State of New Jersey, and Leading Scorer in Burlington County History. Due to his flawless, allaround talent on the court, Dan was selected as an All-American by USA Today, Parade, and McDonald’s. He was one of the few to score over 2,000 points in his stellar high school career, and still today is the 2nd all-time scorer in Shawnee basketball history. Dan went on to play for Penn State University until 1999. In 1997 he graduated with a BS in Marketing, and then a MS in Business Logistics as he played his final season after being red-shirted. Dan earned four varsity letters playing for Penn State, captaining the team for three years. He was awarded All-Big Ten recognition and Academic AllAmerican status, scoring 1,256 points (14th all-time) and garnering over 574 assists (second all-time), and 194 career three pointers (sixth all– time) on the highly competitive collegiate level. In 1995, Dan won the Penn State Coaches Award and in 1996, he was names Penn State’s Most Inspirational Player. Dan then turned his sights overseas, playing professionally for five years in Germany, Portugal, and Poland. Back in the USA, Dan played in the NBA Developmental League and the Continental Basketball Association. He also enjoyed two pre-season years with the New York Nets. Currently, Dan and his wife, Sheila, live in State College, PA. One of Penn State’s most respected and admired basketball alumni, Dan Earl will be returning for his 5th season as Assistant coach for the Nittany Lions. To this day, Dan still recalls the 1992 game against South Jersey rival Atlantic City. “It was a program changing game. We went from being a very good team to a great team. That whole run in ’92, a revenge game against Burlington Township, and then beating Marist in the Tournament of Champions finals was a great, great time. The busloads of fans and car loads of community members, all of the school spirit, and the parties with teammates and parents…those were the glory days!”
Kathleen Garvey
As a member of the Shawnee Class of 1983, Kathleen Garvey was a proud member of the basketball, soccer, and track teams, garnering nine Varsity letters for her outstanding performances. She earned the following honors: All-South Jersey and All-Burlington County in Girls Basketball, All-County in Track and Field, and Liberty Division All-Star in Girls Soccer. During her junior and senior years, Kathleen was undefeated in dual meet competitions in the high jump, and she held the school record for the high jump for many years to follow. During this same time, the Shawnee Girls Track team was also undefeated in dual meets. Kathleen was also a member of Shawnee’s first Varsity Girls Soccer team in her junior year. Kathleen continued her education at Kent State University, graduating in 1987 with a BA in Political Science. She played basketball for Kent State earning four Varsity letters. She was a member of the GTE District VII Academic All-American Team, as well as the Mid-American Conference All-Academic Team. Kathleen also earned her JD in 1990 from Rutgers School of Law. Kathleen resides in Milltown, NJ with her husband Neil Marotta and children Gwynn and Sarah. She is a lawyer with Marotta and Garvey in Edgewater, NJ. Kathleen has fond memories of competing for Shawnee and still cherishes the friendships she developed while participating in sports.
As a member of the Shawnee Class of 1983, Kathleen Garvey was a proud member of the basketball, soccer, and track teams, garnering nine Varsity letters for her outstanding performances. She earned the following honors: All-South Jersey and All-Burlington County in Girls Basketball, All-County in Track and Field, and Liberty Division All-Star in Girls Soccer. During her junior and senior years, Kathleen was undefeated in dual meet competitions in the high jump, and she held the school record for the high jump for many years to follow. During this same time, the Shawnee Girls Track team was also undefeated in dual meets. Kathleen was also a member of Shawnee’s first Varsity Girls Soccer team in her junior year. Kathleen continued her education at Kent State University, graduating in 1987 with a BA in Political Science. She played basketball for Kent State earning four Varsity letters. She was a member of the GTE District VII Academic All-American Team, as well as the Mid-American Conference All-Academic Team. Kathleen also earned her JD in 1990 from Rutgers School of Law. Kathleen resides in Milltown, NJ with her husband Neil Marotta and children Gwynn and Sarah. She is a lawyer with Marotta and Garvey in Edgewater, NJ. Kathleen has fond memories of competing for Shawnee and still cherishes the friendships she developed while participating in sports.
Tamara Gehris Siemon
A triple threat in field hockey, swimming and track and field, Tamara Gehris Siemon became a strong athletic force in the Class of 1992. Earning Varsity letters in all three sports, Tamara played left wing in field hockey, ran the 800m and 1 mile in track and field, and swam the backstroke and IM for the Lady Renegades. She was the 1991 Unsung Hero for Field Hockey, Burlington County Championship’s Most Valuable Swimmer for 1992, Burlington County record holder for the 100m backstroke, First Team All-Burlington County for three years, Shawnee school record holder for 100m backstroke, and First Team All-South Jersey. In track and field, Tamara was awarded First team All-Burlington County and First Team All-South Jersey. In 1992, Tamara won the Shawnee High School Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award. At Duke University, Tamara earned her B.A. in Sociology in 1996 while playing Field Hockey for the Blue Devils and garnering four Varsity letters for her outstanding performances. Tamara started for three years, held Duke’s record for Assists from 1995-1999, and was a twotime Academic All-ACC Honor Roll in 1995 and 1996. She was a member of the 1999 US Elite Amateur Triathlon Team, and placed 12th at the highly competitive ITU World Championship in Montreal, Canada. Tamara currently resides in Smyrna, Georgia with husband Scott and children Gabrielle and Patrick. She is in Advertising Sales for Star 94/Lincoln Financial Media.
Kristen Kelly Uccello
Kristen Kelly Uccello, a Shawnee graduate of the class of 1991, excelled in field hockey as well as track and field, earning four Varsity letters in hockey and three in track. As a mid-fielder in Field Hockey, she was a High School All-American in 1989 and 1990, 1990 NJ Defensive Player of the Year, 1990 South Jersey Defensive Player of the Year, 1991 Olympic Festival participant, and a two year participant in the Junior Olympic Games, earning MVP in 1998 and 1990. While at Shawnee, Kristen played on three State Group IV title teams with only one loss in four years. She was a two time Governor Cup Award winner for the Garden State Games, four years on the Varsity Field Hockey team(starting as a freshman), and nationally noted as the #1 High School Recruit in 1990-1991. In Track and Field, Kristen made her mark as a long jumper and a sprinter. She was 5th in the State for the Long Jump and was invited to participate in the Meet of Champions. As a sophomore, she held the record for the Long Jump and was undefeated in all Burlington County Long Jump dual meets. Kristen then went on to the University of Connecticut to major in Sociology. She earned four Varsity letters in Field Hockey, along with numerous other accolades. She was the runner-up for the prestigious Honda Broderick Award for best collegiate field hockey player for 1994, a four time All-American in 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994. She was one of three, three time first team All-Americans in UConn Field Hockey history, All-Region in 1991-1994, All Big East 1993-1994, and Team Captain in 1994. As a member of the United States Field Hockey Team from 1992-1996, Kristen started on the 1993 U.S. 5th place Intercontinental Cup team and was a starter on the Bronze Medal 1994 World Cup USA National team. This is one of only two United States Field Hockey teams to ever place a medal in a major international tournament. Kristen currently resides in Medford with her husband, Jeff and two sons Drew and Reid. She currently works for The Remedy Group in Medford as a Sale Representative.
Christine McGinley
Christine was a member of the Class of 1990 and played three sports at Shawnee, earning seven Varsity letters in Field Hockey, Lacrosse, and Winter Track. She was awarded “Lacrosse Player of the Century” by the Newark Star Ledger, along with the “All-Century Field Hockey Team” with many of her teammates. Christine went on to Penn State to major in Communications and graduated in 1995. While at Penn State, Christine earned six Varsity letters in Field Hockey, Lacrosse, and Soccer. She was a Honda Broderick Award Finalist in Field Hockey in 1992 and 1993, an AllAmerican and All Big Ten in Field Hockey in 1992 and 1993, and the 2nd All Time leading scorer in field hockey at Penn State. After Penn State, Christine suffered from a career ending injury, needing eight knee surgeries, including two replacements. In May 2010, Christine graduated from Green Mountain College in Vermont, receiving her MBA in Sustainable Business. She is self-employed and currently resides in Telluride, Colorado with her husband, Buff Hooper. She spends her free time as an environmental activist, and enjoys hiking, playing ice hockey, and ice skating. “As a Shawnee High School athlete, I learned respect, humility, personal responsibility, and whatever it takes to be a champion. My experience there shaped and formed who I am today,” writes Christine.
Wayne Nau
After graduating from West Virginia University in 1968 as a Journalism Major, Wayne Nau became a member of the English department at the fledgling Shawnee High School and also the first Boys’ Varsity Tennis Coach in 1970. He continued as Head Coach at Shawnee for the next 34 years, amassing an amazing record of 505 wins and 242 losses. He coached his team to the South Jersey Group IV Championship in 1996 and reached the State Finals that same year. The Shawnee Boys’ Tennis teams also garnered seven Burlington County League championships under Wayne. Wayne was honored by the South Jersey Tennis Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year in 1992, Burlington County Boys Tennis Coach of the Year in 2003, and inducted into the South Jersey Coaches of Boys Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. Wayne is now retired and travels with his wife, Barbara. Sons Christopher, Patrick and Fiona Yung, and Phillip live in Philadelphia, Forest Hills, NY, and Jersey City, NJ, respectively.
Danielle Ryan
If you thought that Danielle Ryan was an outstanding player on the soccer and softball fields, undoubtedly you would agree that she was simply amazing on the basketball court. At Shawnee High School, she earned 9 Varsity letters; four in basketballs, four in soccer, and one in softball. Graduating in 1989, Danielle was All-Burlington County Liberty Conference 1985-1989, All Burlington County 1985-1989, All South Jersey 1986-1989, and All Group 4 1986-1989, and All South Jersey Midfield Player of the Year in 1987. That was just for Girls Soccer. As an unstoppable point guard on the court, Danielle’s girls’ basketball accolades are much more extensive. She was awarded All Burlington County Liberty Conference 1985-1989, All Burlington County 1985- 1989, All County Basketball Player of the Year 1987-1989, All South Jersey 1987-1989, All South Jersey Player of the Year 1989, All Group 4 1987-1989, Player of the Year 1989 by the Philadelphia Inquirer, and 2nd Team All State 1989. Her career total was 2,115 points. Danielle went on to Florida State University, earning her BS in Health and Physical Education in 1993. Danielle played basketball for the Seminoles and earned four Varsity letters. She started on this highly competitive team for three years, was the GTE Academic All-American, and the Dial Classic Tournament MVP in 1991. She scored over 1,000 points in her collegiate career alone. Her career total was 2,115 points. For 14 years, Danielle was a Physical Education teacher and coach, then middle school Athletic Director. Residing in Atlanta, GA, she is the stay-at-home mother of five children, Elizabeth, Tomas, Josh, Trent, and Devin.
Chris Sallade
One of our most outstanding athletes on the running track and soccer field was Chris Sallade, Class of 1990. Chris earned 10 Varsity letters in his years at Shawnee, four as midfielder for the Soccer team and 6 for Winter and Spring Track and Field. “I didn’t get a letter for Winter and Spring track as a freshman, because I broke my leg at the end of soccer season,” recalls Chris. All of his hard work and hours of practice paid off. In his senior year, Chris was awarded “South Jersey Soccer Player of the Year” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as All-State First Team and All-East Coast. In track and field, Chris was New Jersey State Champion in the 1600 mm, and broke the Shawnee school record with a time of 4:17:4. Chris continued his Track and Field career at Princeton University while earning his degree in Economics in 1994. He was awarded 8 Varsity letters for Winter and Spring Track and Field while at Princeton, and was Ivy League Champion in the Distance Medley Relay during his senior year. More recently, Chris ran in the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:42 and in the Philadelphia Marathon with a 2:40. Chris resides in Princeton, NJ with his wife, Danielle, and children Lydia, Jeremy, and Laura. He is now a Pastor and Chaplain for the Princeton Evangelical Fellowship.
Jeff Smith
A graduate of the class of 1980, Jeff Smith was a major contributor to the successes of the football, wrestling, and baseball programs in the early years of Shawnee athletic history. Jeff played offensive tackle, center, and defensive tackle on the football field, wrestled at 170, 188, and heavyweight on the mats, and when not pitching, he covered third base for our baseball teams. His outstanding efforts earned him 7 varsity letters. He was All- South Jersey Honorable Mention as Offensive Tackle in 1979. However, Jeff remarks of his years as a Shawnee athlete, “Sharing the same uniform with a group of fine young men is the ultimate honor.” He fondly recalls fellow athletes Drew Sharpe, Bruce Turner, Bob Lasky, Mike Reffner, Jim Santicola, Dwayne Doyle, Hal Walter, Randy Walton, and Ed Radlow. After graduation, Jeff went on to attend West Chester University, Burlington County College, and Rutgers University as he pursued his degree in Computer Science, earning another letter in baseball in 1982. Currently, Jeff is the Director of Information Technology and Internet Support for Hay Group Incorporated, a worldwide management consulting firm in Philadelphia. While at Hay, he has led the effort on Enterprise Web Hosting projects and Application Support for 86 offices in 48 countries. Living in Atco, NJ, Jeff is married to Kathy and has three sons, Jeff Jr., Jonathan, and Justin. Now, his contributions to sports have moved to the community level. Jeff coached youth baseball in Waterford Township for 14 years and served on the board of the Waterford Township Athletic Association. Jeff was instrumental in developing a winter baseball program to refine the skills of local athletes. He coached at the Cooperstown Dreams Park in 2006 and 2008. He is now cultivating talent by coaching the SJ Young Guns program, an elite travel baseball organization playing top teams on the East Coast. We will all be reading about several of his players in the graduating class of 2014. He predicts that many will go on to play major college baseball. Unequivocally, Jeff’s top sports honor has been to watch his own sons achieve success on the field. In 2010, his son Jon was voted All Conference and All South Jersey as a sophomore pitcher at Hammonton High School. In particular, Jeff wants to recognize coaches Roger Pullen, Bill Burtis, Brian Gibney, Marty Nelson, and Joe Parone, with a special thanks to Tim Gushue and Bill Neal. “Tim was an intense football coach, whose passion and dedication was evident as a young man. In my senior year, we were up against highly rated Holy Cross. We were down 13-0 at the end of the 3rd quarter. We had a quick strike followed by a dominant drive. After the second touchdown, the players and fans went nuts! An over-enthusiastic student ran onto the field to give me a high- five. We won the game 14-13 never getting penalized! I recall my first Varsity Wrestling match as a sophomore under Coach Neal. After dumping a senior competitor who came in 2nd in States the year before, he came back to deck me. I came off the mat with my head hanging low, only to be greeted by Coach Neal with a huge smile and a firm handshake. ‘Welcome to Varsity, Jeff,’ he said. Now, that’s a coach!
Lori Vile Abate
Lori Vile Abate, Class of 1993, was a dominant force on Shawnee’s field hockey and lacrosse teams for four years, while earning six Varsity letters. As center forward in Field Hockey and right attack wing in Lacrosse, Lori contributed greatly to five State Championships in Field Hockey and Lacrosse. As an All-American, New Jersey’s Governor’s Cup, and All-South Jersey in Field Hockey, Lori was Shawnee’s twotime leading scorer. At the University of Maryland, Lori played field hockey and was honored as ACC Rookie of the Year and Division I All-American. She was a member of the Division I National Championship Team, the US Under 21 Team, and US National Squad in Field Hockey. Currently, Lori resides in Woolwich, NJ with husband Vince, Vincent, Jr., and Sophia. She and her husband owned and operated 5 Hollywood Tans salons for 10 years before co-founding L.A. Bronze: Ultra Luxe Tanning Studios with 11 locations throughout NJ, PA, and VA.