SUSIE BALIDEMAJ CLASS OF '10 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2023 In a township where her sport of choice is often overshadowed by others, Susie Balidemaj remained a ray of light for field hockey and a shining star for Steinert High School. "I was a soccer player, a really good soccer player," said Balidemaj, who switched over to field hockey as a freshman at Steinert. "I guess I was intimidated. Yeah, I was a good player but I don't think I matched up to their quality of soccer player and I was afraid to be one of those (players who see limited game time). I looked at field hockey and it was similar to soccer, just with a stick and a different ball. "Growing up, I played a ton of sports. For school, I played field hockey in the fall and I did track and I ended up being somehow good at hurdles (she did receive a varsity letter in track as well as three in field hockey). I also played rec sports (including participation in soccer, softball and swimming)." Her sport of choice remained field hockey. "As a freshman, she entered the program with no field hockey experience whatsoever," Steinert coach Alyson Setzer said. "Quickness and agility were second-nature to her and she picked up the sport quite easily." Balidemaj's devotion to the sport helped propel the Spartans into the world of championship field hockey. "(She) dedicated herself to field hockey," Setzer said."She participated in Futures in the offseason and her stick skills and ability to read the field really improved. "As a junior, it was her hustle and deflection of a pass that resulted in the winning goal over Toms River South that won the Central Jersey Group IV sectional championship. As a senior, she led the team to the sectional semifinal against Lenape. We were ranked No. 9 that year and were able to defeat the No. 1 seed!" "Her teammates knew that if they got the ball to her inside our offensive 25, it was going to be a goal," Setzer said. She achieved additional goals by continuing her role as a student-athlete in college. She became the all-time leading scorer for the Stockton field hockey program. Throughout high school and college she was recognized for being a scholar and an athlete. "Susie always smiled and worked very hard," Setzer remembered about the former Mercer County and conference all-star." She was always positive with her teammates. I was very fortunate to have been able to coach her and watch her grow into a talented athlete and a wonderful young lady." "Being a student-athlete at Steinert High School has been a fun and rewarding experience," Balidemaj said. "I was able to gain a set of valuable skills that I put into use on and off the field. It taught me time management, balance, effective communication, leadership, and being a team player. I realized that putting in the hard work would result in success, and it made me motivated to be the best version of myself. "Being a student-athlete also helped me transition into high school by being a part of a team. It gave me the opportunity to make new friends and form strong bonds with my teammates. Some of my favorite memories as a student-athlete was going to the pasta-parties, hyping each other up in the locker room right before a game, going on haunted hayrides in October as a team bonding activity, and winning the '07 Central Jersey Group IV Championship as a sophomore." She lives in Hamilton with her husband Christopher English. She is currently working as a State Detective for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice under the Attorney General's Office. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE