Rumson-Fair Haven AD Assistant Hits It Out Of The Park Again

RUMSON, NJ — Sue Wankel, the longtime administrative assistant for the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Athletic Department, has received state recognition for all her work for the district.

Wankel recently received the Administrative Assistant Award for Excellence (Central Jersey) by the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey, one of four people so honored in the state.

She is known as a "mainstay at RFH and a critical component of the Bulldogs athletics program year after year," the district said in a news release about the award. The district said it is "lucky to have someone as loyal, professional and spirited as Wankel in its ranks."

Wankel began her tenure at the district in 1998 as an administrative assistant in the Attendance/Vice Principal’s office, greeting students and parents each day for more than 15 years.

In 2014, she transferred to the Athletic Department office, now working with current Athletic Director Chris Lanzalotto.

Wankel is also helping support the school play that debuts this weekend.

"It's been a busy week," she said with a laugh on Friday.

Among Wankel's responsibilities are to ensure all athletic events and tasks run smoothly, including scheduling athletic transportation, maintaining state-required paperwork for student-athletes and communicating with families, maintaining records on coaches, and handling day-to-day confirmation of athletic events and assignments.

Lanzalotto has worked directly with Wankel for the past 17 years and nominated her for the honor.

“There is no one more reliable, or dependable than Sue. She is consistently the first person to volunteer her services at numerous extracurricular fundraisers or other events sponsored by the district. If there is a large task to be completed within the school, you can always rely on her to pitch in and lend a helping hand," he said.

He added that while "Sue is a tremendous asset to the entire RFH community, I personally am extremely fortunate to work with such a professional and dedicated person as Sue Wankel and to call her my friend.”

Outside of her work as an administrative assistant, Wankel also sells tickets at many sporting events and steps in as scorekeeper when needed, serving as site supervisor for football games, and handling all NJSIAA ticket responsibilities, the district said. She also chaperones non-sport-related extracurriculars and supports the school play.

The Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey organization presents this award annually to recognize four honorees, one from each section (North I, North II, Central, and South).

To be considered, an administrative assistant must be nominated through a letter of recommendation from the athletic director or building principal and have demonstrated outstanding contributions to athletics at the local and school levels with a minimum of five years of experience.

Wankel received her award this past week at the annual association state conference in Atlantic City, surrounded by co-workers, family, and friends.