5 Super Athletes With Ties To Galloway

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Galloway area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Abdullah Anderson (Football)

Galloway native Abdullah Anderson began his football journey at Absegami High School, where he first took up the sport as a senior, focusing on basketball before then. His football talents took him to Bucknell University, where he became a defensive standout, earning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017 and tying the school record for blocked kicks. Anderson joined the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent, marking the beginning of a professional career spanning multiple teams, including the Packers, Falcons, Commanders and Tennessee Titans. Off the field, he remains connected to his community, hosting annual football camps in Atlantic City.

2. Erika Skroski (Soccer)

A star of Absegami High School, Erika Skroski etched her name in school history when her No. 8 jersey was retired, the first such honor for an athlete at the school. During her high school career, she led the Braves to championship games and earned accolades like South Jersey Midfielder of the Year and All-State First Team. At Rutgers University, Skroski captained the soccer team, won Big Ten Defender of the Year in 2015 and helped her team reach the College Cup semifinals. Professionally, she played for Sky Blue FC in the NWSL and represented the U.S. at the U-23 level before retiring from professional soccer.

3. Ford Palmer (Track & Field)

Absegami High School graduate Ford Palmer made his mark at Monmouth University, where he became a Northeast Conference champion in the 1500m and mile, breaking multiple school records. Palmer pursued a professional running career, joining the New Jersey-New York Track Club and competing internationally. In 2014, he won the Sir Walter Miler, and in 2016, he raced in the U.S. Olympic Trials and clocked a personal best of 3:56.58 in the mile. Palmer later became an assistant coach at Stockton University, mentoring the next generation of distance runners.

4. Shahyan Abraham (Track & Field)

Shahyan Abraham was named the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year in 2023. A two-sport athlete specializing in shot put, discus and hammer throw, she has earned multiple NJAC championships and all-conference honors — and as of 2023, holds Stockton’s school record in the weight throw. She also maintained a 3.93 GPA in economics, participated in mock trial and served as a school ambassador.

5. Dr. Myron Rolle (Football)

Dr. Myron Rolle, who grew up in Galloway, is celebrated as both an athlete and a scholar. A standout football player at The Hun School of Princeton, he was ESPN’s No. 1 high school recruit in 2006. At Florida State University, Rolle earned All-American honors and the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, becoming one of the rare student-athletes to balance a professional football career and advanced studies. Rolle postponed the NFL to pursue a master’s degree at Oxford University and later played for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers. Today, he is a neurosurgeon, philanthropist and advocate for health and wellness.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.