The NJCDCA Coaches Award honors exceptional coaches who demonstrate outstanding leadership, dedication, and a lasting impact on their athletes and the cheer and dance community. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond—serving as mentors, role models, and advocates for sportsmanship and excellence. Through their passion and commitment, these coaches inspire growth, teamwork, and a lifelong love of the sport.
Award Chair: Kim Gaskin
A recipient will be selected from the Coaches Award nominees.
The successful candidate will:
Be a member in good standing of the New Jersey Cheerleading and Dance Coaches Association
Have a minimum of seven years of active coaching experience at a New Jersey high school
Possess an established reputation for excellence within the cheerleading and/or dance community
Promote good sportsmanship throughout the community
Lead by example within the New Jersey cheer community
Jayne Shalkowski served as a Guidance Counselor and Cheerleading Coach at Saint John Vianney High School in Holmdel, New Jersey for 40 years. She began coaching at SJV in 1979 and later expanded her impact by coaching the collegiate cheerleading team at Montclair State University beginning in 2008. Throughout New Jersey, the name Jayne Shalkowski is synonymous with cheerleading excellence—not only for competitive success at the state and national levels, but for her unwavering commitment to sportsmanship. Jayne brought class, honor, and a deep sense of friendship to the sport of cheerleading.
Jayne began her coaching career at a time when competitive cheerleading was still in its infancy. In those early years, there were no formal rules, standardized competitions, or established camps. Coaches relied on one another to build the foundation of the sport, and Jayne was a leader from the very beginning. As cheerleading grew into a recognized athletic discipline, Jayne remained at the forefront, with her teams consistently setting the standard. Fellow coaches regularly sought her guidance, knowing they would be met with her wisdom, infectious smile, and great sense of humor.
This Coaches Award honors Jayne Shalkowski’s passion, commitment, and lifelong dedication to cheerleading, as well as her belief in pushing every individual cheerleader forward. A fierce competitor, Jayne was always a trusted colleague and friend to all within the cheer community