JENNA DiDONATO ELLIOTT CLASS OF '06 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2018 Sports, especially softball, have played a big role in her life. "I even brought the softball theme into my wedding plans," Jenna DiDonato Elliott said. "During my father-daughter dance to a Frank Sinatra song, my dad and I stopped for a few minutes to have a catch, gloves and all, with a quick song change to 'Centerfield' by John Fogerty. It was very unexpected, but so fitting since my dad was my coach for my entire softball career leading up to college. Having a catch with my dad on my wedding day was so much more meaningful for us versus a simple dance. It sums up our relationship perfectly." "Jenna worked extremely hard to become the player that she did, and always seemed to be having fun doing it," said former SHS coach Bob Hutchinson. "Jenna's dad, Vince, was a coach on our team and it is not always easy to play for your dad (just ask my son and daughter), but Jenna really enjoyed having him there. Both Jenna and Vince are a big reason that we were able to win the state championship in 2004 and get back to the championship game in 2006." "The most memorable moment during my athletic career was definitely winning the NJ Group IV softball state championship as a sophomore in 2004," she said. "No one imagined we would do so well, but with hard work, great team chemistry, and little bit of superstition we were able to make it to the championship, and win!" And although the Spartans didn't win it all again in '06, DiDonato had a special senior year, setting the record for most hits in a season (48) by a Steinert Softball player and getting back to the state championship game. She earned all-conference first-team and all-state second-team honors in softball and also received all-conference third-team honors in soccer and basketball. At Rowan University, she continued to excel and was a four-time recipient of annual scholar-athlete awards. She earned NJAC All-Conference second-team honors and was the team leader in home runs and RBIs her junior year (3rd in the NJAC). "Jenna was an absolute pleasure to coach for so many reasons," Hutchinson said. "Probably the biggest reason was her pleasant and always-positive attitude. She came to school and to the field with a smile on her face every day. "No matter what the situation was, Jenna remained calm and confident. Those attributes became infectious on our team. "As a person and a player, you cannot find better than Jenna DiDonato." RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE