Ceil Smith started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and now she is one of its inductees
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
CARNEYS POINT – Ceil Smith knew there were a lot of sports luminaries in the county who deserved recognition for their achievements when she started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and over the past 25 years she has helped induct a lot of them. Never once in all that time did she imagine she would be one of them.
So you can probably guess her reaction when the letter arrived announcing her as one of the inductees in the Hall’s Class of 2025.
“I was really surprised; it was such a nice gesture,” she said. “Everybody in my family – grandchildren, everyone — were very active in sports and very good. So when I broke the news that I’m the one going into the Sports Hall of Fame it was very funny.”
And all would agree well deserved. Smith was enshrined Thursday night along with Faleesha Dowe, Linda DuBois, Joe Frassenei, Aisha Morgan and Dennis Thomas during ceremonies in Salem Community College’s Davidow Hall. The Hall also recognized Donald Ayars as its Community Service honoree, Salem CC’s two-time softball Region XIX Player of the Year Ella Hayes and several high school state champions.
Smith might not have played the game like the others going in with her, but it was her unwavering commitment to the project that shaped the Hall into what it is today.
It was at the urging of the late Vic Majors, a longtime Salem County business and sportsman from Woodstown, while she was the publisher of Today’s Sunbeam that moved her to action. Every time Majors saw her, she recalled, he’d say she was the only one who could make it happen. Humbly, Smith credits the Hall’s volunteer board for its success.
They are the ones who process and research the candidates for induction and make the final call.
“All I did was keep it going and keep the meetings moving,” Smith said. “When athletes get together they can talk about the good old times forever.
“I never played sports, I never watched sports, but I knew who to pick that would make this work. I reached out to the schools, because I knew a couple (athletic directors) who were fabulous. I put these local community people together with the educators and from then on we chose a great, great group of people. I was so fortunate that all the people that I chose really made it work.”
Smith continued to lead the charge when she became executive director of the Salem CC Foundation in 2015. She stepped away from the Hall last August when she became Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River & Bay Authority, a position appointed by the Governor.
Nearly 150 Salem County athletes, coaches, administrators and community leaders have been enshrined in the Hall under her leadership.
She called her experience working with the Hall “wonderful” and said every induction ceremony “blew me away.”
Through the early support of then-Salem CC president Dr. Peter Contini, the Hall established its home in the college’s Davidow Hall. The pictures of the inductees line the walls inside the DuPont Fieldhouse.
At one time Hall officials “looked into” finding a more stand-alone home, but Smith said it’s right where it belongs.
“It’s so wonderful at the college because they’re a hub to the community; they are really community,” she said. “It’s just wonderful that now President (Mike) Gorman has followed through and is keeping it going. It’s a wonderful thing – and it is at the right place.”
2025 SALEM COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME
INDUCTEES & HONOREES
FALEESHA DOWE
In track and field, where every fraction of a second counts, Faleesha Lachelle Dowe emerges as a beacon of determination and talent. At Penns Grove High School, she quickly established herself as a standout athlete, dominating local and regional track meets. Her dedication to training, coupled with natural ability, propelled her to new heights of success.
It wasn’t long before college recruiters came knocking, eager to enlist Dowe onto their track and field teams. After careful consideration, she chose Delaware State University, where she continued to excel both academically and athletically. Under the guidance of top-tier coaches, she honed her skills and earned recognition as one of the most promising talents in collegiate athletics.
Throughout her career, Faleesha faced numerous challenges, from injuries to fierce competition. However, each setback only fueled her determination to succeed. The pinnacle of her high school career came during 2011 Group I Sectionals, where she took first place in the 55-meter dash as well as the 400. She then led the 4×400 relay team to the Group I state title. She delivered a series of stellar performances throughout her high school years, earning medals and accolades that solidified her status as a track and field legend.
In the track and field history at Penns Grove, Faleesha stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through perseverance, dedication, and a love for the sport. As she continues to write new chapters, one thing remains certain: her legacy will endure at Penns Grove High School, a testament to the power of the human spirit to transcend boundaries and reach new heights.
LINDA DuBOIS
Linda DuBois graduated from Bridgeton High School, where she participated in basketball and tennis, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education (K-12) from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey).
As the head swim coach at Arthur P. Schalick High School from 1989 until 2008, Linda guided the team to national rankings for eight straight years and an undefeated season in 2000, when she achieved 100 career wins.
Subsequently, she devoted 13 years as a volunteer assistant swim coach for Schalick, while spending two years as head diving coach for both Schalick and Cumberland Regional High School.
In 2022, Linda returned as Schalick’s head swim coach. In 2024, the team advanced to round two of NJSIAA state playoffs. Linda’s lifetime coaching wins are pushing 200, a challenging achievement since there are normally only 10 meets per season.
She has worked as NJSIAA state swim team championship site director for 35 years and NJSIAA state individual swim championship site director for 15 years. Linda has been a NJSIAA certified high school swim official for 10 years and served as secretary of the South Jersey Officials Chapter.
She has earned “Coach of the Year” honors from the National Interscholastic Federation of Coaching Association and South Jersey Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, and received the NJSIAA Sports Award in Swimming, and South Jersey Coaches Recognition at the Tri-County Classic Division Swim Championship.
Linda played a role in starting girls’ soccer at Schalick, serving as the team’s first head coach for four seasons. She then devoted four years as head coach of girls’ cross country at Schalick, with the team achieving a South Jersey title.
JOE FRASSENEI
In 1986, Joe Frassenei began his high school coaching career in New Jersey. Formerly a varsity wrestler at Drexel and West Chester universities, he coached for five years at Haddonfield and Clayton before coming to Salem County in 1991. This decision was best for his family, and teaching and coaching careers. Joe has coached for the last 44 years, accumulating 509 wins. Of those, 460 have come in Salem County at Woodstown, Penns Grove and Schalick.
As a head wrestling coach, Frassenei’s teams have enjoyed 22 winning seasons, 310 dual meet victories and four league titles with 76 regional qualifiers, three state qualifiers and one state place-winner.
Joe’s 21 years as a head track coach were highlighted by 20 winning seasons, 100 dual meet victories, one Salem County Championship, four Tri-County Divisional titles, 48 individual county champs, seven individual South Jersey champions, four individual state place-winners and two Meet of Champions medalists.
His coaching career in cross country was highlighted by 15 winning seasons, 99 dual-meet victories, four Tri-County Divisional titles, four Salem County championships, six individual Salem County champs, three South Jersey Group champs, 43 state qualifiers and two state place-winners.
Coach Fraz still has a passion for coaching. He serves as an assistant football and track coach at Schalick and will enter his fifth year as the Cougars’ head wrestling coach. Last season, his wrestling team finished with a 27-2 record and advanced to the South Jersey Group I final. At last year’s District 30 Championships, he was named District Coach of the Year.
AISHA MORGAN
Aisha Morgan was a multi-sport athlete (field hockey, tennis, indoor track, basketball and outdoor track) at Schalick. She continues to hold the school record in the 100, is tied for the Salem County championship meet record in the 100 and has the fastest 100 time of any Salem County athlete.
She attended the University of Houston where she was coached by Mike Takaha and Leroy Burrell. She was the conference champion in the 100 and advanced to the NCAA track meet in the 100 and 4×100. She had the distinction of qualifying for the USA Track and Field Championship meet where she competed alongside several Olympians.
After graduating from college, Morgan started her teaching career, working with individuals with special needs. She earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Rowan University and works closely with teachers and students in the special education field.
In 2014, Aisha started her high school coaching career in Houston. Her athletes and teams were district champions, regional qualifiers and state qualifiers.
CEIL SMITH
In 2000, Ceil Smith started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame while serving as the publisher of Today’s Sunbeam. She continued the annual recognition ceremony when she became the executive director of the SCC Foundation in 2015.
During her 25 years as the Hall of Fame chair, Ceil worked closely with a volunteer board comprised of high school athletic directors and community members steeped in Salem County sports history.
As a testament to her unwavering leadership, nearly 150 athletes, coaches, athletic directors and other sports dignitaries have been inducted. In the early days of the Sports Hall of Fame, Ceil worked with then-Salem Community College President Dr. Peter B. Contini to establish the Sports Hall of Fame in the college’s Davidow Hall, where it still resides today. In addition, the Sports Hall of Fame has recognized many other individuals for their community service in fostering growth in Salem County sports.
In August 2024, Ceil stepped away from the Sports Hall of Fame when she became the Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River & Bay Authority. In this capacity, she focuses on Authority-related economic development initiatives, airport operations and marketing. Previously, Ceil served as a DRBA Commissioner, representing Salem County for more than 18 years.
Before being appointed to direct the SCC Foundation, Ceil served on the SCC Foundation board. During this time, she and Dr. Contini founded the SCC Gala, which has now raised more than $1 million for scholarships in 25 years.
Very active in civic and community activities, Ceil serves as a member of the Salem City Council and on the SCC Foundation Board of Directors. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Memorial Hospital of Salem County, Salem County Chamber of Commerce, Salem County Vocational-Technical School Educational Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Salem Main Street, and as a member of the Salem City Rotary Club and Salem County United Way.
DENNIS THOMAS
Dennis Thomas is a seasoned football coach and educator whose journey spans from elite athletic performance to shaping future generations both on and off the field.
As a standout athlete at Salem High School, Dennis was named a Blue-Chip All-Region player as a junior and a Big Chip All-American as a senior. He also earned All-State honors in track and field for the 100-meter dash and long jump. His athleticism and work ethic earned him a full scholarship to Rutgers University. He was named Special Teams Player of the Year as a sophomore and Team MVP as a junior.
After college, Thomas earned a spot with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his playing career was cut short by injury. He pivoted to education, earning two master’s degrees – one in mathematics from Purdue University and another in special education from Rowan University.
In 2011, he took over a struggling Salem High School football program and led the team from a winless season to the state semifinals in just one year, followed by a state championship appearance the next. His success continued at Millville, where he guided the Bolts to three state titles in seven years.
Dennis transitioned to the college level, returning briefly to his alma mater before joining Syracuse University, where he currently serves as tight ends coach.
During his 12 years in high school coaching and now three years at the collegiate level, Dennis has helped send more than 100 athletes to college and several to the NFL. His impact as a coach, mentor and educator continues to shape the lives of young athletes nationwide.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HONOREE
DONALD R. AYARS SR.
Donald Ayars graduated from Woodstown High School, Class of 1975. While there, he played quarterback and ran track (3200), with his team taking many championships in both Salem County and Tri-County meets.
Don holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Brandywine College (now part of Widener University) and a bachelor’s from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). During his 26 years as a patrolman in Woodstown, he received multiple commendations, introduced safety programs to schools and became very involved with the youth sports programs.
Coaching led him to holding several positions in both Little League and soccer as well as the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Recreation Association. When his children aged-out of youth sports, he stayed involved for another 25 years as an umpire for softball and baseball in the surrounding communities.
After retiring from the Woodstown Police Department, Don taught in the Salem County Vocational-Technical School’s law enforcement program and joined the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office as evidence coordinator. During his 16-year tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, he also volunteered as a firearms and safety instructor for 12 summers with the Leaders Camp, a program offered to Salem County youth, held at Camp Edge.
Don has served as a hunting guide with Game Creek Hunting Farms for 35 years. His favorite pastimes are fishing and hunting, and enjoying his four grandchildren.
SCC ATHLETE RECOGNITION
ELLA HAYES, SOFTBALL
In 2024, freshman shortstop Ella Hayes became Salem Community College’s first softball All-American. She also was named National Junior College Athletic Association Region 19 Division II Softball Player of the Year, leading the Mighty Oaks to the post-season that included an opening-round upset of top-seeded Mercer County CC in the region tournament.
In 2025, following another standout season, the sophomore from Kansas City, Mo., repeated as the region’s Player of the Year. She led the region in batting for the second year in a row (.577) – fifth nationally – as well as hits (79) and stolen bases (23 of 24). She was second in the region in extra-base hits (33) and fourth in runs batted in (54).
Over her two seasons with the Mighty Oaks, Ella played in 83 games, collecting 154 hits, scoring 117 runs and knocking in 115. Her two-year batting average was an astounding .586 with an on-base percentage of .644 and a slugging percentage of .973. She also stole 34 bases.
She also was named Garden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025.
In May, Ella graduated with honors with an associate degree in health science. She earned Dean’s List all four semesters. She will continue her softball career at Stony Brook University.
Honoree profiles by Bill Clark, Salem CC
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