The Tabernacle Athletic Association is preparing for opening day without Vice President Raymond “Chad” Adams Jr., following his unexpected passing.
“Losing Chad was devastating,” President of the Tabernacle Athletic Association Lynne Hedden said. “He was a good friend and we obviously haven’t recovered from that loss.”
According to Hedden, Adams passed away after a TAA meeting.
“We have been working with the township to do a dedication ceremony at Prickett’s Mill Park where Chad spent so much time,” Hedden said.
A date and time have not been confirmed for the ceremony.
His memory will last with the members of TAA and parents with whom he worked.
According to Hedden, Adams worked with multiple girls and boys teams, including baseball, basketball and soccer, in addition to working on the E-board for many years.
“He went to Shawnee and had a profound belief in great opportunities through sports and education. He dedicated as much time in a day to making everyone’s life better as much as he could,” Hedden said.
A memorial dinner is being planned for the fall to benefit the Chad Adams Memorial Fund. The memorial began accepting funds in lieu of flowers for Adams.
Athletes in Tabernacle are preparing for another spring season after months of winter training and clinics.
“Spring always brings a wonderful sense of accomplishment after what we’ve done all winter, all the preparation we’ve done,” Hedden said. “We’re looking forward to getting the kids out there to play.”
TAA softball and baseball teams have been working on their skills at the Pinelands Indoor Sports Center.
Baseball players have participated in general skills indoor sports clinics, which lasted for eight weeks. According to Hedden, TAA does its best to offset the costs for the clinics.
“We don’t want to burden the taxpayers with an athletic association,” Hedden said. “We reach out to clinicians in different sports and offer an incredible opportunity for a very affordable price. We try to do all we can to enrich the youth experience and be mindful of the economy.”
Softball athletes are developed through multiple programs.
On March 28, the high school-aged girls will host the fifth annual Sisters in Softball program at Seneca High School. The high school girls will adopt a younger player for the day and participate in softball-related activities.
“I think the little girls have this kind of hero worship for the older girls. They see them in their uniforms and see they want to do that one day,” Hedden said. “It doesn’t matter to the little girls if they’re freshmen, sophomores or seniors, they’re a hero to them. It’s nice to know they have someone to look up to.”
In addition to the Sisters in Softball program, the athletes participate in a “mix up” day, where girls from the Seneca and Shawnee divisions are meshed to create connections for the girls.
According to Hedden, the girls exchange information and try to remain friends after the games have ended.
“It’s a pretty unique experience where the girls do a shuffle. The girls get to see what it’s like to play with players in all of the towns. It’s a really fun night,” Hedden said.
Opening day will be April 6 at 10 a.m. for both programs at the Patty Bowker Complex. A scholarship provided by the Sean Clegg Memorial Foundation will be given to a graduating senior who was involved in TAA baseball and accepted to college.
The scholarship was created in memory of Clegg, a TAA baseball player tragically killed after being struck by a car a few days shy of his 15th birthday. Clegg’s mother picks the recipient of the scholarship each year. The TAA is also excited for the construction of the snack stand, which has yet to he completed. According to Hedden, volunteers have been working on the stand in their spare time.
“These guys are working on it after working 50-hour weeks. They have been trying to get that done as soon as possible,” Hedden said.
The stand will not be completed for opening day, but the TAA is hopeful the stand will open in time for the 18th annual Pinelands Classic tournament on Father’s Day weekend.
“This is a little bit of Americana, people come back to it every year. Teams come from all over and compete,” Hedden said.
Opening day will be April 6 at 10 a.m. for baseball and softball at the Patty Bowker Complex.
“I’m blown away with the dedication the people have to this community. It’s an honor to serve,” Hedden said.
