Miceli: New Providence Takes Group I Title in Shoprite Cup

Every high school in America dreams of the opportunity to produce a championship team in at least one of its sports, and New Providence High School is not exception.

At the New Providence Board of Education meeting Thursday night, Superintendent David Miceli announced that the high school had moved beyond the dream phase into reality, winning the 9th Annual Group I ShopRite Cup Championship.

“This is very successful situation,” Miceli said.

To earn this award, schools must accumulate points based on their performance in championship play in 32 individual sports sanctioned by the NJSIAA. Fall, winter and spring sports are all included. Schools receive points for finishing first, second, third and fourth in group state championships.

To achieve its championship ranking, New Providence notched 36 points, which was achieved through a 2011-2012 season 1st place in Girls' Soccer, a tie for 3rd in Football, 4th in Boys' Indoors Track & Field Relays, 1st in Boys' Tennis, plus nine points for having no disqualifications in all three seasons.

“We have a great group of kids and some great coaching,” Miceli said. “It’s a collaborative effort.”

The Cup was established in 2003 to recognize the best athletic programs in each of the six group classifications in which sports competition is currently held. Prior to the Cup, high schools had been acknowledged by the NJSIAA for championship performance in individual sports, but the ShopRite Cup is the first award in the state’s history that honors a school’s entire sports program using performance-based criteria. 

Originally a three-year sponsorship, ShopRite recently extended its sponsorship of the Cup for an additional three years.