BARNEGAT, NJ - Barnegat High School Coach Sue Rogers induction as the first local coach into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame deserves its share of accolades. However, Rogers personal commitment to Barnegat students puts her in an even higher class.

Rogers employs coaching into her daily routine as she interacts with students. December of 2019 found Rogers dipping into her toolbox of skills.

The story begins with a teenaged student who transferred from another district to Barnegat schools. The fact that he was an athlete and Rogers a coach perhaps contributed to their bond.

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The young man just made the Bengals football team when Rogers came into his life. Again, the Barnegat coach was not there to lead him in training exercises. Her role kicked in during what most would call her day job.

As a learning disabilities teacher consultant, Rogers serves as a member of Barnegats child study team. Even before COVID-19, she made her share of home visits.

No doubt the reason Rogers found herself stopping in to see the new transfer remains forever embedded in her mind. The student suffered from a terminal illness and ultimately passed away.

Rogers stayed on the young mans team even after his death. She was one of the worshipers at his beautiful funeral and helped the family organize the get together after the celebration of life.

Its one of those strange coincidences that makes people wonder. The Barnegat Board of Education honored Rogers at their meeting this week. The district also shared accolades about Michele Cucinotta, whose role as a school counselor just expanded.

Whats so interesting that the two were bothappreciated at the same meeting? Cucinotta also gave up a Saturday to attend the young mans funeral. The decedents little brother found his school counselors kind eyes in a sea of family members. It turns out that coaches and cheerleaders both resemble a place of comfort for Barnegat students.

I do believe teaching and coaching are integrally related, said Rogers. I love both.

Rogers came to the Barnegat Township School District in 2003, before the high school opened. She coached a number of sports at Pinelands Regional High School andled the girls tennis team upon its inception.

Barnegat High School claimed the titles for five girls tennis Shore Conference B-South division championships in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Rogers was not only the team leader for those games. She also began coaching varsity girls golf when the program started in 2008.

Several of Rogers students continued with tennis and golf competitions after they enrolled in college. As the coach sees it, both sports offer other opportunities.

Ive had students who told me how golf and tennis skills have worked to their benefit after they finished college and entered the workforce, Rogers shared. Its helped them in the corporate world to strengthen contacts.

As a learning specialist, it should not come as a surprise that Rogers has a special place in her heart for children who compete in Special Olympics. The Barnegat coach earned the distinction as the New Jersey Special Olympics Tennis Coach at the 2018 National Games in Seattle.

Barnegat Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Latwis presented Rogers with a challenge coin at the Board of Education meeting held earlier this week. The first challenge coin went to individuals who may have saved a Barnegat mans life.

Latwis said that the district made up a special Bengals jacket for Rogers. They intended to decorate it with all of the coachs accomplishments but ran out of room.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Sue when I first came to the district as the Director of Special Ed, said Latwis. There are so many things that shes done as a coach and for the community. Shes an even better person (than the coach award signifies).

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Barnegat Coach Inducted into State Hall of Fame: Honor Extends Further - TAPinto.net