LYNDHURST, NJ – These past few weeks have provided us with many thrilling moments. Tournament time will do that. This past week those who knew Sister Mary Alan Barszczewski heard sad news. Sister Alan passed away after a bout with liver cancer at age 62.
For three decades Sister Alan , as she was known to many, was a major part of St.Anthony High School in Jersey City. She worked closely with legendary coach Bob Hurley. Sister Alan was a unique individual who did it all. And then some. During her St.Anthony tenure she taught, was an athletic director and most recently administrator. Sister Alan was interim president as Sister Felicia stepped down to care for her mother who is ill. Sister Alan stayed on the job daily , fighting through the illness, until just after the new year.
Sister Alan and Felicia worked tirelessly to keep the school, of just over 200 enrollment, open and productive. Need a repair here, brush up or a tidying there, no problem. Sister Alan was very active in the lives of not just the St.Anthony basketball players. She wanted and worked for every student walking the halls of St. Anthony to attend college. For a good percetage of these students who come from inner-city families, they would be the first in their family to further their education beyond high school. As Hurley pointed out in a Star Ledger interview that Sister Alan, “was shepherding all kids in the school.”
The article also had testimonials from former players as Rashon Burno, a Chicago high school coach these days and Rutgers freshman Mike Rosario. In fact Rosario said it was a meeting with Sister Alan in her office his freshman year at the school that put him on the straight and narrow path.
Sister Alan did the same for all students. She believed in them and wanted them to fully realize their potential. Countless St.Anthony students who never picked up a basketball were influenced by Sister Alan and today have degrees and fulfilling careers.
During her athletic director days in the 80s and 90s Sister Alan was a female AD in a male dominated field. Diminutive in stature but not in toughness, when the situation necessitated, Sister Alan stood firm and was heard as the St.Anthony representative looking out for the school’s best interests.
As an administrator she constantly urged the board of trustees at the school to keep tuition affordable for the families wanting their children to attend.
Several years ago she was fighting her battle with cancer. In Adrian Wojnarowski’s outstanding book ‘The Miracle of St. Anthony’, a fair amount is devoted to chronicling her battle with the dreaded disease. She pulled through a serious operation, the book told, with a miracle of her own and many people are fortunate and grateful she was with us a few more years.
Sister Alan was an avid sports fan. A devout Philadelphia Eagles fan who waited , like others, for that elusive Super Bowl triumph, Sister was thrilled when Wojnarowski brought her a book about the Eagles and their fans a few years ago. She obviously was passionate about the Friars but discussed others facets of high school and college ball just the same.
Sister Alan was a guardian angel to St.Anthony High School. At an open gym one Fall day in 2005 a group of recent graduates came back to watch the Friars work out. They spotted Sister Alan in a far corner and before greeting friends in attendance or players, they went over to give her a hug. She was as Burno said in that Star Ledger article, “your mother when she needed to be and your father when she needed to be.” She was teacher. ‘family’ member, counselor, social worker and friend to all the students under her watch.
Walk in the CERC for a St.Anthony game and you could see her take admissions, help out at the refreshment stands and do just about anything that was needed. And of course cheer on her beloved Friars.
The St.Anthony community and anyone fortunate to know her are at a loss and feel the pain these days. To Sister Alan , her work was not a burden or task . It was her love. She poured her heart and soul into the school to benefit all, especially the students.
Sister Alan is no longer with us. But her memory will live on and be a part of the many lives she so positively influenced.
