Boys Soccer notebook: Good sports honored Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/08/03 Druckman, King, Piners, Wave recognized  By DEBBIE WALDEYER Sportsmanship seldom makes it into a newspaper's story about a game. As sportswriters, we don't recognize it as much as we should. The goals and assists, big saves and dramatic plays are listed. But when a forward is going for a 50-50 ball and knocks head-on into the opposing goalie, we don't talk about the forward helping the goalie up off the ground and patting him on the back. So each year, the Shore Soccer Officials Association picks up what we left out. The SSOA held its annual dinner on Wednesday at Doolan's, Spring Lake Heights, where individuals and teams were recognized for their fair play and excellence on and off the field. This year, Raritan's David Druckman won the John Cobb Senior Excellence Award for Monmouth County and Southern's Tom King won it for Ocean County. Lakewood was awarded the Jack Schrumpf Memorial Team Sportsmanship Award for Ocean County and Long Branch won it for Monmouth County. "It's about attitude, ability and academics," Druckman said of the Cobb award. "It's an honor." Druckman is known in soccer circles, having played in the Olympic Developmental Program, the national and regional teams. He's also been a leader for the Rockets over his four years. But outside the field, Druckman has been just as successful. He's commited to play soccer at Columbia University. "His ability on the field is only surpassed by his ability in the classroom," said Raritan coach Craig Shatkus. Shatkus, in his fourth year as head coach, was an assistant at Freehold Township when Val Majewski won the SSOA's senior award for Monmouth County in 1998. Majewski was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2002. "The last time I saw Val he was saying what an honor it was to be chosen (for this award)," Shatkus said. "When he looks back and thinks about being recognized, he said he appreciates it so much more now. It's exciting for David. His future is bright." King, a defender for Southern's varsity team the last two years, remains undecided about his college plans. But a ranking of 65 out of 700 seniors and a 96 grade-point average is impressive. On the field King helped Southern rebound this year. After going 3-14-1 in 2002, Southern was 7-10 this season. "This season was much better than last," said King. "We were able to get a couple of more wins." That was true too for Lakewood, which went from a 3-15-1 record in 2002 to a 9-9-1 record this year. And with winning comes better play. The officials noticed, naming the Piners Ocean County's recipient for the team sportsmanship award. A team which wins this award has not been given a red card, on any level, for the entire season. "Our school is very excited," said Piners first-year coach Gene Drumright. "This is a very positive thing." Long Branch won it for Monmouth County under Kevin Carey, also in his first year. "We preached discipline from Day One," said Carey of his and his staff's work. "The kids responded to it. It was rough at first, but they bought into it." Help bring back the game Last year the SSOA was not able to host its Peter Burroughs Senior All-Star game due to lack of participation. The SSOA would like to see that change. Athletic directors and coaches are encouraged to help spread the word and keep open lines of communication with the SSOA for this summer senior all-star game which had run eight times prior to 2002. "We want to get this game back off the ground," said Kris Knutstad, who was replaced as SSOA president by Richard Hunter on Wednesday night after serving three years. Debbie Waldeyer covers boys soccer for the Asbury Park Press.