My name is Jennifer Shanok (formerly Molke) and I am an alumna of The Academy of the Holy Angels Class of 2011. I was a proud four-year member of the Holy Angels Track and Field/Cross Country teams from 2007-2011. Notably, the year 2007 was also the first year that Howard Schuman began his incredible 17-year tenure as the Track and Field/Cross Country coach. The purpose of this petition is to honor Coach Schuman’s legacy at Holy Angels. The impact that he has had on my running career and life experiences has been truly profound. Through shared communication with Holy Angels Track and Field/Cross Country alumnae, it is evident that Coach Schuman has made a lasting mark on the lives of us all. Given that his coaching career has concluded at Holy Angels, we strongly feel that Coach Schuman should be honored for his legacy of dedication, integrity, and excellence to the Holy Angels Track and Field/Cross Country program.

For those who don’t know me, I began competitive running at the age of 7. Running was a big part of my life and I had ambitions of running on the collegiate level. From the start of my freshman year, I was eager to make an immediate impact on a team that I knew was talented and had great potential. When Coach Schuman started in 2007, there were high expectations as the program was having much success. From the very first day, I could tell that Coach Schuman cared deeply not only about the performance of the team but also the well-being of his athletes. He poured his heart and soul into developing effective training programs, coordinating practices and meets, and building a culture that was loved by athletes and their family members alike. This allowed the program to compete at the highest level which culminated in multiple Bergen County championships and a coveted New Jersey state championship in 2009. He vastly exceeded expectations in every aspect. 

We are calling upon the Holy Angels administration to honor Coach Schuman’s legacy in a timely manner. Some ideas that were generated as a group include: dedicating the Holy Angels track and/or an appreciation dinner in his honor. 

Below are signatures and comments from the many people who were positively impacted by Coach Schuman and his tremendous coaching career.

Before every practice and race, Coach Schuman would always say, “Positive attitude is contagious, negative attitude is destructive.” Not only does he speak these words, but he also lives by them every day.

We greatly appreciate your consideration to honor this legendary coach.