Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Sharee Gordon didn’t have to look long, far and wide to find a suitable college.

The Newark native decided she didn’t want to go far away from home, so she decided to attend Rutgers-Newark after graduating from University High School three years ago.

“It was kind of an easy decision,” Gordon said. “Rutgers-Newark was right here.”

There was another factor involved in Gordon’s decision to stay close to home. Rutgers-Newark offered Gordon the opportunity to play both volleyball and basketball, becoming a rare two-sport collegiate athlete.

“That was very important to me,” Gordon said. “I love playing both sports.”

It’s good that Gordon does, because she has become a vital cog to both Scarlet Raider programs.
Gordon is a tough middle blocker on the women’s volleyball team and now the starting center on the women’s basketball team.

Gordon is the lone R-N multi-sport athlete.

Gordon said that she was pleased to be able to participate in volleyball from the preseason on.

“Being able to play in the preseason really helped my game,” said Gordon, who led the Scarlet Raiders with 53 blocks and 146 kills. “I think it brought a different level to my game. I was definitely better with my blocking and my hitting. I learned to time things better and had better blocks overall.”

Rutgers-Newark women’s volleyball coach Jason Madsen likes what Gordon contributed this season.

“I think Sharee improved a lot this year,” Madsen said. “She really became a force on the court. She’s one of the biggest blockers in the NJAC. Having a presence like that in the middle is huge. We’re seeing in so many matches how she can change games. I think she was in better shape and that contributed to her being better on the court. She really came in ready to play this year.”

Madsen believes that Gordon could be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

“She has some things she needs to work on,” Madsen said. “We need her to be more aggressive offensively, but she sets us up blocking and defensively and takes up a large part of the court.”
Rutgers-Newark women’s basketball coach Kevin Morris knew that Gordon would play a bigger role with his team this season.

“She’s starting for us now and she’s been very productive,” Morris said of Gordon, who is averaging 10.3 points on 75 percent field goal shooting (15-of-20) and five rebounds per game. “Her conditioning is good because she plays two sports and has gotten better in both. She knows the plays and executes well. She knows where she has to be.”

Morris likes Gordon’s intensity.

“She’s a very hard worker,” Morris said. “She also has a very good attitude. She’s kind of what you want from a four-year player. She keeps improving each year.”

Morris said that he always liked Gordon as a basketball player, but remembers going to see her play volleyball as well.

“When we were recruiting her, we went to see a big volleyball match,” Morris said. “She plays two sports. It’s close to home. She can get a good education.”

Morris believes that Gordon is just scratching the surface of her talents.

“She gives us size inside and some scoring punch,” Morris said. “She’s always had the ability to block shots. She rebounds well. She’s been very good for us. It’s not easy playing two sports, but she’s been fresh and looking good. I think this is going to be her best year and she’s off to a good start.”

Gordon said that she was prepared to contribute more on the hardwood this basketball season.

“After last season, Coach Morris told me that he was expecting me to play and do more,” Gordon said. “He told me that he expected me to be a key player this year and I liked that.”
Gordon said that she worked hard to get ready for both seasons.

“I really did get in better shape,” Gordon said. “I’m definitely doing a better job scoring wise. I’m able to get up and down the court better. I’m in better position to score. It’s definitely a good feeling being able to contribute, scoring, rebounding, changing shots.”

Gordon is a criminal justice major with a minor in psychology.

“I’m not sure what I want to do yet,” Gordon said. “Something perhaps in law enforcement, like a police officer or a social worker. I want to give back to the community.”

Right now, Gordon is doing a great job of giving back to the Scarlet Raider community, helping two teams become more successful.