Kean Alum Named Women of the Year in Sports

Kean University alumna Megan Cegielski of Stockton, N.J., was recently honored as the Kean Women of the Year at the 23rd Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Luncheon at Seton Hall University. Cegielski played for the Kean University Softball Team as an outfielder, and graduated this past fall with a B.A. in Elementary Education.

Cegielski said she is “honored and very thankful to be a recipient of the award and to represent Kean and female student-athletes.”

The New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) presents its “Woman of the Year” awards to outstanding student-athletes from each college and university in the state. The award is based on athletic excellence, academic success and community service.

Cegielski made a name for herself at Kean and has it written in the record books. As a four year starter, she holds the career mark for hits (212), while trying for the top spot for hits in a season with 66 hits in 2013. She holds the mark for runs scored in a career with 136, and finished her career at Kean second in stolen bases and fourth in career batting average. Cegielski was also named a First Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference and All-Region member this past spring, and was named College Sports Information Directors of America/Capital One Academic All-District.

Her success extended beyond the field as a three time All-American Scholar-Athlete named by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher for three straight seasons. Cegielski attributes her success on and off the field to the support from family, friends, teammates and coaches.

“It’s a great feeling to have people around you to encourage you, support you and help you up when you stumble” she said. “I owe a lot to my family and parents, and my team mates and coaches who became an extension of my family and support system.”

Ciegliski is closer to home again after graduation, subbing for Delaware Township Schools and looking for a full time position. She will be sharing her expertise as a Varsity Softball Coach at South Hunterdon High School and is looking forward to making the transition from player to coach.

Photo caption: Kean University Softball Head Coach Margie Acker with Kean alumna Megan Cegielski, Kean Women of the Year according to the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women at the 23rd Annual National Girls and Women in Sports luncheon.

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Founded in 1855, Kean University is New Jersey’s most affordable comprehensive public university. As one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, Kean boasts a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving nearly 15,000 students. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers three doctorate degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. With locations in Union Township and Toms River, New Jersey, the University’s five undergraduate colleges offer 49 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic disciplines. Visit us online at www.kean.edu.