tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31302955052335479382024-03-13T10:53:45.205-07:00Jim Hague Sportsogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-11693483104865961842022-06-23T09:16:00.003-07:002022-06-23T09:42:10.448-07:00O'Koren gets childhood courts named after himO’Koren returns to courts where it all began
St. Joseph Courts renamed, honoring former Carolina, Nets standout forward
When Mike O’Koren was a little boy growing up in Jersey City, he always dreamed about one day playing basketball at the famed courts that sit behind St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, just a stone’s throw away from the O’Koren family residence inside the Pavonia Gardens housing projects near Dickinson High School
“For us kids, this was our Madison Square Garden,” O’Koren said. “I spent so much time here playing and learning.”
So O’Koren used to make the two-block journey from his home to the courts at St. Joe’s, just trying to absorb so much about the game he loved to play.
One of his first coaches at St. Joseph’s CYO program was Ron Steinmetz, better known as “Stymie” to the basketball faithful of Jersey City. Stymie knew early on that O’Koren, better known as “Little” to the people of his hometown, would develop into a good player.
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“When he first started playing, he couldn’t even tie his sneakers,” Steinmetz said. “Once we got him playing regularly, he fell in love with the game. And it was fun to watch him progress.”
And progress he did. After he went to Hudson Catholic, O’Koren became a three-time All-Hudson County honoree and an overall First Team All-State selection, quickly becoming a household name across the country. O’Koren went off to the University of North Carolina, where he had a brilliant career, leading the Tar Heels to the 1977 NCAA Tournament title game against Marquette, scoring 31 points in the national semifinals against UNLV.
After his brilliant four-year career with the Tar Heels, O’Koren was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 1980 NBA Draft. He spent 10 solid years with the Nets, playing home games just a stone’s throw away from his Jersey City home. O’Koren then became an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards, the Philadelphia 76ers as well as Rutgers University. He also did some color analysis work for the Nets on television and radio.
O’Koren has already earned Hall of Fame honors from both of his alma maters (Hudson Catholic and UNC) as well as the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame.
But the greatest honor of O’Koren’s life came last week, when the St. Joseph courts were renamed the Mike O’Koren Courts.
O’Koren was present for the dedication of the courts, speaking to the approximately 200 people in attendance.
“I have family and friends here,” O’Koren said. “I’m glad to have the chance to see this happen while I’m still here. It’s the schoolyard, near where I grew up. It can’t get any better than this.”
When the plaque hanging on the fence and the etching on the blacktop was revealed, O’Koren, usually stoic and not one to wear his feelings on his sleeve, got emotional.
“It’s home,” O’Koren said. “It’s my family and friends. I’ve been around the world and no matter where I go, it always comes back to Jersey City. I was in Russia, walking the streets of Moscow with the World University Games team in 1980, before the Olympics (which never took place due to the boycott), and I had people recognize me from being from Jersey City. But this is beautiful. I spent so much time here. I’m so proud of this.”
It was something to get all those people to a schoolyard on a Saturday morning in June. But they all came to pay tribute to the guy known as “Little,” to one of Hudson County’s best basketball players ever.
Before he headed off to Chapel Hill, O’Koren was perhaps the best all-around hoopsters to ever come from McGinley Square, earning an NJSIAA Parochial A state title along with another decorated 1,000-point scorer from Hudson Catholic named Jim Spanarkel. Back in the mid-1970s, you couldn’t say one’s name without the other. Spanarkel and O’Koren were like peanut butter and jelly, like Abbott and Costello, like Martin and Lewis.
When he graduated from Hudson Catholic, O’Koren’s 1,856 points was the third highest total in Hudson County history, but a handful of players have surpassed O’Koren’s point total. But nothing will take away from his greatness and now young, aspiring players will get to see up close how truly great O’Koren was.
And it all began in the St. Joseph’s courtyard, a place that now bears his name for eternity.
O’Koren reflected on how playing on the courts, with its famed metal backboards and chain link nets, made him a better shooter from the perimeter.
“I tried to shoot the ball high off the backboard,” O’Koren recalled. “If you got it high off the backboard, it would go right in. But you had to shoot it soft. I spent a lot of hours there shooting off the backboard.”
Steinmetz, who remains O’Koren’s closest friend, give credit to his buddy.
“He could shoot anything,” Steinmetz said. “He could shoot bottle caps. This is just fabulous. It’s well deserved.”
Bellifemini organizes youth basketball groups in the area, including the Jersey Bounce Basketball Academy and Team New Jersey Triple Threat that has approximately 300 youngsters participating. Many of those players were on hand for the court dedication.
“This was the hotbed of basketball in Jersey City in its day,” Bellifemini said. “I was looking at the court and there was grass in the cracks of the court. I knew we had to do what we could to fix the courts. When Mike retired, I asked him to think about having the courts named after him. I kept my promise to him.”
O’Koren was pleased to have his sister, Mary Jane Baker, and her family on hand for the dedication. Mary Jane’s son, Jack Baker, is the current athletic director at Hoboken High School after a brilliant baseball career at St. Peter’s Prep and St. Peter’s University and William Paterson University. O’Koren’s brother, Ron, couldn’t attend, but Mike wanted to make sure his brother got credit as well.
Bellifemini credited other members of his organization like Nick Petruzelli, Chris Esposito and Vito Gigante for their assistance in the day.
“They haven’t missed a day working with the kids,” Bellifemini said.
But this day belonged to the big kid they all call “LIttle.”
“I’ve been around the world and wherever I go, they always ask me about Jersey City,” O’Koren said. “It’s love for my hometown, no matter where I go. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx7vqd5sIFs2RIqIYk2oeyqQpWelu4KBOEboGcXdf7vhnT6oswVqdq3aBEsf78tcb3S7TCnRfIMLlI7ewKi8bq-n6IYz4L8kCRscicY5ams-sckxSvxg4eKRU7-OenptYMd4RoBXlV_2mR4B8qtY1eBQM-LNZHaMyoE_Y4R4pCvjJxpVHqek-BuS9xQ/s4000/O%27Koren%201.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx7vqd5sIFs2RIqIYk2oeyqQpWelu4KBOEboGcXdf7vhnT6oswVqdq3aBEsf78tcb3S7TCnRfIMLlI7ewKi8bq-n6IYz4L8kCRscicY5ams-sckxSvxg4eKRU7-OenptYMd4RoBXlV_2mR4B8qtY1eBQM-LNZHaMyoE_Y4R4pCvjJxpVHqek-BuS9xQ/s200/O%27Koren%201.JPG"/></a></div> In 1978, I was in Russia, walking the streets of Moscow and I had someone come up to me and said, ‘Jersey City.’ It’s home. This is beautiful. I have friends and family here.”
And they were there to show a little bit of appreciation for a guy they all know as “Little,” just a little bit of love for one of their own.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-5617009805541895342022-03-28T19:12:00.001-07:002022-03-28T19:12:41.946-07:00Jersey City's Gaglioti a rising star in women's pro boxingJenna Gaglioti had somewhat of a conventional life before two years ago.
The 30-year-old Jersey City resident attended St. Peter’s University, graduating in 2013 with a degree in biology. Before enrolling at St. Peter’s, Gaglioti was a student at John Jay High School in New York, where she played basketball and softball. She credits her brother Michael and sister Danielle for giving her the inspiration to become an athlete.
Back then, Gaglioti was all set to attend nursing school. But something sparked a fire in Gaglioti after she was mugged a handful of times near St. Peter’s and was physically assaulted by someone she had just ended a relationship with.
“I was dealing with some rough phases in my life,” Gaglioti said. “My brother always taught me to defend myself. I tried power lifting and started to get into body building. But honestly, I found those things to be a little boring.”
At that time, Gaglioti just happened to be walking past Gleason’s Gym in Manhattan and had a revelation.
“I wanted to learn how to box,” Gaglioti said. “I used to follow boxing all the time. I was raised by good parents who always instilled in me that women could do whatever they wanted to do, as long as they put their mind to it. That was me.”
Gaglioti trained for approximately two years before a friend of hers named Johnny Lopez said he was going to a gym in Jersey City at Public School No. 6.
That’s how the unlikely pairing of aspiring boxer Gaglioti and respected local trainer Luis “Mosquito” Gonzalez took flight. Gonzalez has been working with aspiring boxers in Jersey City for the Jersey City Recreation program for the last 30 years.
“Johnny introduced me to Mosquito and we instantly hit it off,” Gaglioti said.
Gonzalez has worked with his fair share of female boxers over the years.
“I guess I’ve had about 50 or so females of all ages,” Gonzalez said. “My doors are always open for females. I’ve been watching females get involved in the sport for a long time. I always treat them equally as I treat men. It’s crazy how I got involved with Jenna. Johnny walked into the gym and told me he had a friend who was interested in getting involved. I didn’t know who she was. I just needed to take a look at her to see how serious she was. And I could tell right away that she was a boxer. Jenna had no idea that Jersey City had a boxing program. Once she knew, she came to the gym every day. And I could see that she worked harder than most men. She just doesn’t stop.”
Soon after the first meeting, Gonzalez asked Gaglioti about her goals with the sport.
“She said she wanted to fight pro,” Gonzalez said. “I said to her, ‘Can you do this?’ I told her that it was all about her and whether she was willing to put in the time and the work. I could see right away that she had a very professional approach. She said she didn’t want to fight as an amateur. She wanted to step into the ring and see how it goes.”
“When I go into the gym, I am very disciplined,” Gaglioti said. “I think I’m harder on myself than anybody. But I felt like I was ready.”
Gonzalez wanted to make sure, so he brought Gaglioti to other local boxing people like trainer/promoter Bobby Rooney of Bayonne.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYzveMcgBs5r-Ou6zA7JlMiDxe6nTZSYfrRRjVr2fee-Q-XrW51zov74g9WdKVI8WbhuoX_ESHjnDNBVLzCJDcSH1WyaKgdm0LXWf6e9KOlx2e9NMHbbBWBx4MVK1LVVTKfxP21dhmtNjSlTDs9WOw6-WELM-ben2F6aLObKbE-eBf3il9qpPjewTIA/s711/Jenna%201.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYzveMcgBs5r-Ou6zA7JlMiDxe6nTZSYfrRRjVr2fee-Q-XrW51zov74g9WdKVI8WbhuoX_ESHjnDNBVLzCJDcSH1WyaKgdm0LXWf6e9KOlx2e9NMHbbBWBx4MVK1LVVTKfxP21dhmtNjSlTDs9WOw6-WELM-ben2F6aLObKbE-eBf3il9qpPjewTIA/s400/Jenna%201.jpg"/></a></div>
“Bobby liked her and thought she had a lot of potential,” Gonzalez said. “The feedback I got from people about Jenna was all positive. I didn’t hear anything negative.”
There was only one obstacle. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic put an absolute halt to the sports world, never mind an up-close-and-personal sport like boxing. So Gaglioti had to wait out the pandemic and see what transpired. After all, she wasn’t getting any younger. The clock was ticking on a pro boxing career.
“When the pandemic hit, everything was stopped,” Gonzalez said, “But the Dominican Republic opened its doors to us.”
Last October, Gaglioti had her first pro bout, a four-rounder in Sousa of the Dominican Republic, where the COVID rules were a little less stringent than those in the United States. Gaglioti fought at 155 pounds against Jeanmary Martinez Paulino and won via unanimous decision. Paulino had won all three of her previous fights and the promoters there probably thought that Gaglioti would be a pushover. No such luck.
And in February, Gaglioti climbed into the ring for her second pro bout, another four-rounder, again in the Dominican Republic, this time fighting under the promotion of former WBC world middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. Gaglioti won this bout via a technical knockout in the second round. Needless to say, Gaglioti is well on her way.
“I just want people in Jersey City to know who she is,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone who sees her fight falls in love with her.”
Her next fight is scheduled for May 21, also in the Dominican Republic against an unnamed opponent.
“My goal is to get her one more fight in the D.R. and then find somewhere in the United States,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve already been offered a fight in Oakland for later this year. I want to be able to build her into a fighter that Jersey City could be proud of.”
Gaglioti has a lot of family in New York and also in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, where her family originates.
In the meantime, Gaglioti is keeping herself very busy in the other parts of her life. She works as a home health care aide, working with the rehabilitation of all kinds of patients. Gaglioti is also a personal trainer doing strength and conditioning with clients. She is also working with clothing brands and also dabbles as a model. Needless to say, she’s a very busy young lady.
“I really would love to get into working with inner-city kids,” Gaglioti said. “I see the kids who come to work out with Mosquito’s other boxers and I don’t want to see these kids go into the streets. I want to help kids succeed in whatever they do.”
And Gaglioti has now found a friend of a lifetime in a guy called Mosquito.
“He’s helped me with so much,” Gaglioti said. “He’s more of a father figure to me. He’s not just my coach and trainer. He’s become a friend of mine. I think I’ve thanked him about a million times. He really pushes me hard. We’re just fine tuning things right now. The training will get a lot harder in April.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlBX6iuaL3czH1_nnzZNhdXT2c0cAAIAUXkAebsgkPUKNGAbl9mTV14I_YsUn4CglNFX8f3BegyiMqNcb3z_L_vLMU8BFPOTsCzBt5VMk304XfQaI4PV75VdXRdRHwCKBpS9VgwWktyT2OaKbgBP2hxH6t3YqLNVXedIjIOtP8BuwfbhmCTiUY3QSpQ/s3022/Jenna%202.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlBX6iuaL3czH1_nnzZNhdXT2c0cAAIAUXkAebsgkPUKNGAbl9mTV14I_YsUn4CglNFX8f3BegyiMqNcb3z_L_vLMU8BFPOTsCzBt5VMk304XfQaI4PV75VdXRdRHwCKBpS9VgwWktyT2OaKbgBP2hxH6t3YqLNVXedIjIOtP8BuwfbhmCTiUY3QSpQ/s400/Jenna%202.jpg"/></a></div>
Luis "Mosquito" Gonzalez (left) and his prized pupil Jenna Gaglioti
Gonzalez is hoping to find a few people that would want to sponsor Gaglioti. If anyone or any business would be interested in sponsoring Gaglioti, you can contact Mosquito at mosquitoboxing@gmail.com.
“We’re building a friendship, but it’s still very professional,” Gonzalez said. “I think she respects me for who I am. I’ll do anything for her. We do everything together. We’re a true team.”
Gonzalez believes that Gaglioti’s star is certainly on the rise.
“I really think she will make it,” Gonzalez said. “She does eight-to-10 rounds in training now. It’s still early in her career, but she has the desire to be among the best in the world. I think she needs about four or five fights before she can make a title bout. I think it helps that she’s getting more welk known. I see so much potential in Jenna. She’s very professional in everything she does. She takes everything so seriously. She really gets me going and makes me work harder. But she has the talent.”
Gaglioti knows that the road ahead won’t be easy. But it’s a road in pro boxing that Jenna Gaglioti, the former nursing student at St. Peter’s College, is making a name for herself in pro boxing.
“It’s kind of weird to think that I’m a professional boxer now,” Gaglioti said. “It’s also kind of shocking to the people who knew me when. I never thought I would become a professional. I just thought I was going to learn how to hit the bag.”
Not anymore. She’s strictly into hitting opponents these days.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-27573816693072349792022-03-25T17:17:00.000-07:002022-03-25T17:17:04.236-07:00St. Peter's greats play 'Remember when'
Bob Fazio fondly recalls his days as a basketball player at a place that was then called St. Peter’s College.
“When I played, we had some unbelievable teams and had some unbelievable times,” said Fazio, the school’s No. 5 all-time leading scorer with 1,590 points. “It was a great place to play. It was a lot of fun back then.”
Fazio, the Union City native, had the great fortune of having played at the Jersey City Armory and Yanitelli Center when it first opened in 1976.
As the Peacocks prepared to play in the biggest game in the school’s rich basketball history, facing Purdue in the NCAA Sweet 16, Fazio, now the president of the prestigious Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, recalled some of his favorite moments as a Peacock.
“I remember playing Oregon with Ron Lee and Greg Ballard in the NIT in Madison Square Garden,” Fazio said. “And there were 19,500 fans chanting, ‘Let’s Go Peter’s.’ That was one of my best memories. I remember the first time we played in the Garden, we played Manhattan and they were ranked No. 15 in the country. It was the Saturday before Christmas and the Garden was sold out. We pulled off the victory and made the back page of the (New York) Daily News. Playing in the Garden was so special. I was on the team when we opened Yanitelli Center and I scored the first four points in the building’s history. I made sure no one else was getting the ball that game. My wife (Maureen) said to me the other day that I remember every play of every game and I honestly do.”
That’s why Fazio had a gigantic sense of pride when the Peacocks advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, becoming this year’s media darlings, getting attention from all the major media markets like the New York Times, ESPN and the Dan Patrick Show.
“I’m very proud and very happy,” Fazio said. “It’s a great thing for this team.”
One of Fazio’s teammates was Ken Markowski, a Jersey City/Bayonne boy who was also a 1,000 point scorer at the place affectionately called “Harvard on the Boulevard.”
“My hardest working teammate was Bobby Faz,” Markowski said. “He would fit in perfectly with the Peacocks of today.”
Markowski currently lives in North Carolina, but his heart never left Jersey City. He fondly recalled one of the greatest Peacocks of all time, namely Elnardo Webster, who unfortunately and ironically passed away this week at the age of 74.
“Guys like El were men compared to us,” Markowski said of Webster, who scored 1,163 points in just two varsity seasons with the Peacocks. Webster was part of the famed “Run Baby Run” Peacock team of 1968 that upset Duke in the NIT quarterfinals. “Guys like El, Harry (Laurie) and Teddy (Martiniuk) taught us to be tough. I remember going to practice in the Armory, but we had to wear sweatsuits, because it was always so cold.”
Rick Baker was another member of those SPC teams with Markowski.
“I remember going to watch those great St. Peter’s teams practice when I was in high school,” Baker said. “When I was a freshman with Marko and Keith (Cerruti), we would scrimmage against the older guys like Teddy Martiniuk and (former New Jersey state senator and later U.S. Congressman) Albio Sires.”
Cerruti would go on to become a respected basketball official, but is more remembered for his on-the-court altercation with Larry Fogle of Canisius, who was the nation’s leading scorer at the time.
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” C erruti said. “I remember Marko making a great 360-degree move in the NIT against Ron Lee in mid-air. It was one of the most unbelievable moves I’ve ever seen. Seeing my friends Marko and Ricky improve as much as they did was a thrill. It was a great time to be involved in college basketball.”
Cerruti and Baker both literally grew up blocks from the SPC campus, so watching the current Peacocks do as well as they’re doing means a lot to both long-time friends and teammates.
Another former Peacock great is Daren Rowe, a New Rochelle, N.Y. native who played for the Peacocks in the mid-1980s, eventually earning All-MAAC and All-Metropolitan New York/New Jersey his senior year playing for head coach Ted Fiore.
“I’m really happy for this team, happy and proud, as proud as a Peacock,” said Rowe, who was an assistant coach at Montclair State under Fiore and eventually became Fiore’s replacement at Montclair State when Fiore retired seven years ago. “I think it’s great that this team is getting the recognition that they deserved. This team doesn’t back down to anyone. I’m just prideful, joyous and ecstatic for this team.”
Rowe said that he has been able to connect with some of his former teammates, as well as other Peacock alumni, during the Peacocks’ improbable run to the Sweet 16.
“I’m glad to see St. Peter’s finally getting some respect,” Rowe said. “I’m not surprised with what we’ve done. We’ve always been known as a defensive-minded, hard-nosed team. We’ve always been good defensively.”
Rowe said that his teams always just “went out and played.”
“This really has brought back a lot of great memories,” Rowe said. “Watching this team brought back thoughts of great teams, great teammates. We were a close-knit group.”
Rowe’s coach Fiore didn’t want to detract from the incredible coaching job done by current St. Peter’s head coach Shaheen Holloway.
“He deserves all the credit,” said Fiore, the second winningest coach in St. Peter’s basketball history. “Shaheen has done a great job with this team. He really got this team prepared to play in the tournament. I’m really happy for Shaheen and his team.”
John Dunne, the current head coach at Marist College, was the head coach at St. Peter’s when the Peacocks last made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, ironically losing to Friday night’s opponent in Philadelphia Purdue. Dunne also has fond memories of his days coaching the Peacocks.
“I think there’s always going to be a sense of pride,” Dunne said. “I think it’s fantastic, what they’re doing, representing the MAAC. It made me think back to the whirlwind that we went through (back in 2011). It was a frenzied time, but this is even more so. It’s intensified now because it’s the Sweet 16. But it certainly brings back memories, memories that last a lifetime.”
Fazio is proof of that.
“I am the greatest champion for St. Peter’s basketball,” Fazio said. “I loved the place. I love giving back to the school. You can’t buy the feelings I have for the school.”
Feelings that obviously never fade long after the final buzzer sounds.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-86655699500235277842022-03-10T07:01:00.002-08:002022-03-10T08:20:25.531-08:00Union City's girls represent Hudson's last standing teamWhen the high school basketball season began a few months ago in early December, the Union City High School girls' team found themselves in a bit of a predicament.
The Soaring Eagles lost their first five games of the new season. A year after having to miss a majority of their games due to COVID-19, the Soaring Eagles were on the wrong side of the ledger five straight times to begin the new campaign.
A lot of other teams might have folded up the tents and given up on a season after five setbacks to start the season. But a lot of those teams aren't coached by Carlos Cueto.
Cueto, the former St. Anthony High School and University of Richmond point guard, had made stops along the way coaching with the famed St. Michael's CYO program in his adopted hometown of Union City, where Cueto was raised. He then also was the head boys' coach at Secaucus High School before taking the position as girls' basketball coach in the district where he has been a long-time teacher.
Cueto remained determined even after the brutal 0-5 start to the season.
"The girls were all surprisingly upbeat even after the 0-5 start," Cueto said. "They just kept showing up for practice, kept their heads up and kept working hard. They never once quit. That says a lot."
Sure does, because the Soaring Eagles made it all the way to the recent Hudson County Tournament finale, where they lost to Bayonne, 39-23, in a shocking offensive freefall. It was almost as if someone put a steel lid on top of the Soaring Eagles' basket and kept the ball from falling through the nets.
That loss was on a Saturday afternoon.
"We had not much time to be down on ourselves," Cueto said. "It was such a quick turnaround from Saturday to Monday."
The Soaring Eagles earned the No. 1 seed in the NJSIAA's North Jersey Section 1, Group IV bracket, so that was good news.
"We were the top seed, so it meant that we never had to leave playing at home," Cueto said. "We could just stay home and relax."
Well, the Soaring Eagles didn't exactly take it easy in the postseason, taking their game to the state sectional without having to climb on a bus. They defeated Barringer, 62-32, in the opening round, then moved on to knock off Columbia of South Orange/Maplewood, 53-36 in the sectional quarterfinals, beat Paterson Eastside, 52-41, in the sectional semifinals and finally handled Morristown, 48-37, to capture the first-ever state sectional girls' basketball championship in school history.
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Cueto gave credit to his senior class for making the state playoff run.
"They showed a lot of leadership," Cueto said. "I think they deserve a lot of the credit. They kept winning and said, 'Why not us?' They believed in themselves."
And now, later today, the Soaring Eagles will now have to board a bus to face Section 2 champion Westfield in the overall state Group IV semifinals at Franklin Township High School in Somerset. Game time is 5 p.m.
The Soaring Eagles have now won 21 of their last 23 games, easily the hottest team in the Group IV bracket. True, Westfield defefated Bayonne in their sectional semifinals, so that doesn't play well for the Soaring Eagles. But that doesn't deter the Soaring Eagles in their quest for state immortality.
"I think they saw what the boys did a couple of years ago (the Union City boys' team won the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV crown in 2020) and wanted to do the same," Cueto said. "I love my team. I love these kids. They have stuck together all year to get to this point."
Senior Erika Mercedes has been the team's leader. Mercedes is averaging 15 points per game in her third straight All-Hudson County type of season. Fellow seniors include point guard Elainy Pichardo and forward Fernanda Young.
Sophomore Jaylyn Orefice has been a solid second scorer, averaging 13.8 points per contest. Orefice tossed in a team-high 19 points in the sectional championship victory over Morristown.
And another key contributor is Cueto's daughter Alyssa, a solid playmaking guard.
So whatever happens later today happens. Nothing will ever take away the state sectional title the Soaring Eagles captured after the inconspicuous start. The rest of Hudson County's hoopsters have gone home for the spring. One team remains. All hail the Soaring Eagles.
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ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-32706917109618984782022-02-27T17:45:00.000-08:002022-02-27T17:45:12.724-08:00Hudson's Hawks claim another Hudson hoop titleTahaad Pettiford was in seventh grade the last time Hudson Catholic won the Hudson County Boys' Basketball Tournament title, back at a time when it was almost an annual occurrence that the Hawks were crowned as the county's best.
The Hawks had set a new record for consecutive county championships when they won their seventh straight title in 2018. But the streak came to an end in 2019, when Union City defeated the Hawks and a year later, St. Peter's Prep won the championship. There was no county tourney in 2021 due to the pandemic.
Pettiford was in grade school, but remember knowing full well that he wanted to attend Hudson Catholic.
"It was all about Coach Nick (Mariniello)," Pettiford said. "He's the reason why I came to Hudson Catholic. I knew he would make me a better player."
Saturday afternoon, Pettiford showed everyone how he's a great player right now as a sophomore. The sweet shooting southpaw tallied a team-high 25 points, leading Hudson Catholic to a 60-55 win over rival St. Peter's Prep to win the Hudson County Tournament title before a packed house at High Tech High School in Secaucus.
The two rivals have met each other three times this season, with the Hawks taking two-of-three. And there's a chance that the two teams could meet again in the NJSIAA Parochial A North state tournament Friday night, a game that would be played at Hudson Catholic.
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The Hawks took control of the game in the first quarter, courtesy of a 15-2 run over the final 3:43 of the quarter, with Pettiford scoring five of those points. Junior Elijah Gertrude had seven of his 12 points during that span, as the Hawks held a commanding 22-9 lead after the first quarter.
Holding the high-flying Marauders to just nine points the first quarter was a credit to the Hawks' defense.
"I would have to say our defense set the tone," Mariniello said. "I knew that from that point, they would be chasing after us."
And a team has to exude so much energy trying to come from behind, no matter who is playing for the other team. Mark Armstrong became the all-time leading scorer in the history of St. Peter's Prep basketball with his first five points of the game and the Villanova-bound Armstrong ended with 32 points. But that meant that the rest of the Marauders managed just 23 points.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKoAyD_IkXG-apb4k453moW0cD4yZuAgDGjrmJoRgufD-8l4V8b0QWOdDvLqEB2jYtES2EpUMvwNxABUu47b98pzyvLDmx6-Ac0KLZGWUBQB-eBfl29uIxocJQAKlcH5w49Ovk-YUx7TFjA2VTJF7N2C_ItLIPvttHHyxnZUAnnWHLhsCvfmWPTxlMPg=s1080" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKoAyD_IkXG-apb4k453moW0cD4yZuAgDGjrmJoRgufD-8l4V8b0QWOdDvLqEB2jYtES2EpUMvwNxABUu47b98pzyvLDmx6-Ac0KLZGWUBQB-eBfl29uIxocJQAKlcH5w49Ovk-YUx7TFjA2VTJF7N2C_ItLIPvttHHyxnZUAnnWHLhsCvfmWPTxlMPg=s320"/></a></div>Also, the Hawks had a field day at the free throw line, connecting on 18-of-22 from the stripe, including their first nine straight to start the game.
"We did a great job with our free throws," Mariniello said. "We weren't that good all season."
The Hawks held a 31-17 lead at the half and saw the lead dwindle to jusy four at 45-41 with 6:12 left. But while the Marauders were celebrating the comeback, Pettiford calmly came down the floor and drained an uncontested three-pointer that pushed the lead back to seven. Pettiford then drove the length of the floor and threw down a slam with his right hand to make the score 50-44 with 3:09 left. Those two big shots pretty much sealed the deal.
Mariniello said that the Hawks received an emotional boost by having classmate Antonio Sellers in attendance. Sellers was a basketball star-in-the-making when he was stopped by a brain tumor that has required several surgeries over the last two years.
"Having Antonio here really meant the world to our team," Mariniello said. "His spirit and passion was felt by everyone here."
When the time came to collect the trophy, Sellers, who would have been a senior this year, was with his friends and classmates to secure the hardware.
"This was a lot of fun, but we want to keep it going," Pettiford said.
The teams may just get together again later this week.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-1338242094698440162022-02-27T14:35:00.000-08:002022-02-27T14:35:02.014-08:00Another Hudson County title for Bayonne girlsVeteran Bayonne High School girls' basketball coach James Turner knew that there was only one way to defeat Union City in the Hudson County Tournament championship game Saturday afternoon.
Simply put, the Bees had to lace and tighten their collective sneakers, look deep inside their collective souls and play defense against one of the top offensive teams in the county. If the Bees were to collect yet another county crown, it had to be on the defensive end of the floor.
"It was all about defense," Turner said. "We had to blitz them. I knew that the game would be won or lost in the first quarter."
The Bees certainly did exactly that. They shut the Soaring Eagles out early on, outscoring Union City, 11-0, in the opening stages.
It was almost a carbon copy of the last time there was a county tournament in Hudson County. In 2020, the Bees raced out to an early lead in the title game against Hudson Catholic, scoring the game's first 13 points, and never looked back.
Saturday in the same location (High Tech High School in Secaucus), it was like deja vu all over again.
The Bees grabbed the early double digit lead and never trailed, securing a 39-23 win over the Soaring Eagles, to capture the eighth county crown in Turner's career and the astounding and almost unthinkable 27th county title in the school's history. The prior 19 county titles were captured under the guidance and leadership of legendary Hall of Fame coach Jeff Stabile.
Turner offered his team some sound advice right before the opening tip.
"I told them that we had been here before (there was no county tournament held last year due to COVID-19) and that they should not let the game be bigger than you," Turner said. "I told them that they couldn't panic and that they should just play their game."
The Bees' three seniors, namely Eniya Scott (headed to Fairleigh Dickinson-Teaneck in the fall on a scholarship), Julyssa Moody and Jalaiyah Smith all played like the poised senior leaders that they are. While Scott didn't have her best game, she was definitely in control and wouldn't allow the Soaring Eagles (making their first-ever appearance in a county title game) to make any sustainable run.
"I think being here before made this one a little less nervewracking," Scott said. "I think we were definitely able to prepare for this game because we had been here before."
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Moody agreed.
"I think it helped because everyone knew their assignments," Moody said. "The first quarter set the tone for the entire game. You never know. They could have hit a couple of threes and got right back into it. But we wouldn't let it happen."
Union City head coach Carlos Cueto knew that his team was in trouble after that first quarter, when there appeared to be a lid on the Soaring Eagles' basket. Nothing they threw up went in.
"When you're playing a good veteran team, a team with good experience, it's tough to come back against," Cueto said. "We had a chance, cutting it to six in the third quarter, but then they hit two big shots and that was it. The pressure got to us early and we couldn't respond to it. They were ready to play and we weren't."
The two teams split their games in the regular season, but this time, it was all Bayonne, like the experienced team they are. The Soaring Eagles have a relatively young roster and they will be back, although losing senior guard Erika Mercedes will be a big one to overcome.
Turner knows that his team will be ready for another challenge next season.
"This is as good as it gets," Turner said. "It never gets old. I think it's good for the school and the community. Other girls will see us win and want to be a part of it. But the bottom line here was that we played defense."
Holding a team to just 23 points in a county championship game? Yeah, that's as good as it gets.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-43198770741508352012022-02-27T12:50:00.001-08:002022-02-27T12:50:58.351-08:00Fitting tribute for Jersey City hoops legend RooneyIt might have been a few years in the making because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Friday night was well worth the wait.
That's because Jersey City basketball legend Mike Rooney got his just rewards, when the gymnasiumn at Snyder High School was renamed in his honor.
The 78-year-old Rooney was honored with a celebration at halftime of the Snyder-McNair Academic game, with a host of Rooney's basketball brethren on hand. Rooney's uniform number 32 was retired and a beautiful banner was placed on the walls of the gym with his 1,626 point total and his three-time All-Hudson County and twice All-State on the banner as well.
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A lot of people might recognize Rooney for being the long-time athletic director at County Prep or for organizing his Jersey City Recreation basketball league that was played at Dickinson High School for more than 40 years.
But before all of that, Rooney was a basketball legend -- and that's an understatement. At Snyder from 1961 through 1963, he was recognized as a Parade All-American who played in his fair share of All-Star games up and down the East Coast.
In college, Rooney first attended St. Bonaventure University, where he quickly became a complete legend for his actions on and off the court, then after he was asked to leave the Bonnies, he ended up at the University of Oklahoma where he earned his degree. Yes, he has a college degree, but that was mostly earned in basketball, where he averaged close to 30 points per game during his time in Norman.
From there, Rooney was a late-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers and played professional basketball in the old Eastern League, which was just a little more competitive than today's NBA G-League, considering that the NBA had only 12 teams back then as opposed to the 32 teams the NBA currently houses. Needless to say, it was much tougher to make it in pro basketball in the early 1960s.
Rooney also played in a slew of semi-pro leagues in the area, showing off his incredible shooting range. People today marvel at the range of Steph Curry, nailing shots from 30 feet on a regular basis. Well, that was Rooney's game. Onlookers were astonished with the way Rooney drained long-range jumpers from 35, even 40 feet, with regularity. It was amazing to some. To Rooney, it was commonplace.
When one throws the word around "legend," chances are that it doesn't really fit the person, but in the case of Mike Rooney, he wears the tag of legend the way most men wear a necktie. In Rooney's case, legend doesn't even begin to describe what he was as a player.
The best way I personally can attest to his legendary status stems from a day more than 30 years ago.
I was the sports information director at St. Peter's College and we were playing St. Bonaventure in a game early in the 1989-90 season. The radio announcers for St. Bonaventure asked me if I would be the halftime guest that game. I gladly agreed to do the interview, figuring that the announcers would ask me about the Peacocks. The entire 10 minute span was spent talking about one topic: Mike Rooney.
That's the best way to describe a legend. We didn't once talk about St. Peter's College basketball, which was my job, promoting the Peacocks and the program. Nope. The whole thing was about Rooney -- and he was removed from Olean, N.Y. for about 30 years at that point.
Rooney had the distinction of being one of the first players in NCAA history to score more than 1,000 points for two schools -- St. Bonaventure and Oklahoma.
After his playing days were over (and he played competitively well into his 40s), Rooney concentrated on being the first-ever athletic director at County Prep in Jersey City and running his popular men's basketball league at Dickinson High School.
Thousands of men paraded through Rooney's popular league, finding a way to remain competitive, led by the man who is truly a basketball legend in the city that he never left. He's a legend in places like upstate New York and Norman, Oklahoma as well.
Rooney was extremely humbled by the honor that was bestowed upon him.
"To think the gym is being named after me? That's just incredible," Rooney said. "I'll always be a Snyder guy. I can think of about 20 others who deserve this more than me. I don't deserve this. I love to be the one who is joking, but this is serious. It's a great honor and I can't thank the people behind it who made it possible. It shows that the people in this building did their job, the teachers, the principals, they prepared me for life. It shows me that they were successful in doing their jobs. But I don't deserve this."
Bob Martin, who was Rooney's teammate and an All-County player like Rooney, was happy to be on hand for the celebration.
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<i>From left, Ed Petersen, Bob Hurley, Mike Rooney and Bob Martin get together to celebrate the gym at Snyder being named after Rooney and his jersey number being retired.
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"I wouldn't have missed this for the world," Martin said. "It was an honor and pleasure to have played with this guy. Never once did it cross our minds that he was a ball hog or someone who shot too much. No, we made sure we got him the ball, because we knew it was going in. He hardly missed from wherever he shot on the court. Just to be on the court with him was a tremendous honor. I'm glad that they did this for Mike. He deserves it."
Ed Petersen, the retired FBI agent who also served in security for Major League Baseball and the NFL, played with and against Rooney in his various leagues.
"It means the world to me to be here," Petersen said. "I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Mike was so enjoyable to play with over the years. When he got hot, he couldn't miss no matter where he was on the court. He was tremendous to watch and even better to play with. He's been a good friend for all these years. I'm glad that they did this to honor Mike. He's a great man."
Now, the students of Snyder will recognize the immense talents that Rooney possessed every time they walk into the gym and see the giant banner with his name on it. It was a great honor for a great man, one that will last in perpetuity. One of Jersey City's best hoopsters has his name attached to the gym and students will get to know a little more about someone who is a true legend, a man deserving of the title and deserving of the honor bestowed upon him Friday night. Congrats to Mike Rooney, one of Jersey City's best hoopsters of all-time.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-61983220734660423562021-08-19T04:17:00.001-07:002021-08-19T04:18:52.658-07:00SDA's Bethel, Sullivan share the Female Athlete of the Year honors
One arrived with a strong background in track and field from grammar school.
The other never ran a yard in her life, concentrating more on becoming a competitive Irish step dancer.
But Milani Bethel and Kayla Sullivan enrolled at St. Dominic Academy simultaneously and the two members of the SDA Class of 2021 combined to lead the Blue Devils to several championships, including the school’s first NJSIAA state championship in almost 30 years.
Bethel was the workhorse, the versatile athlete who could compete in practically every event. In fact, Bethel once lent her services to the good of her team by attempting to throw the shot put.
“It went okay,” Bethel laughed. “It was a one-time thing.”
Bethel’s foray into track and field began in grade school in Bayonne.
“I was 10 years old, attending St. Francis Academy,” Bethel said. “There was a track team at the school. I tried other sports like basketball and gymnastics, but I lacked coordination to play. I tried playing soccer for about a week. The same with swimming. I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. It wasn’t my thing.”
In fact, track and field didn’t appear to be Bethel’s thing either.
“I actually didn’t like it at first,” Bethel said. “I didn’t like running all the miles.”
But Bethel’s father, Chris, told his daughter to give the sport a decent shot. Chris played basketball and ran track in high school.
“He told me that I would like the experience,” Bethel said. “So I decided to stick with it. I did like the team bonding. I just kind of fit.”
Bethel’s first major success took place in the seventh grade, when she qualified for the United States Track and Field junior nationals.
“We all pushed each other and helped me stay focused,” Bethel said.
At the same time, Sullivan was content with being a competitive Irish dancer, even though Sullivan came from excellent track and field roots.
“My aunt was a really great runner, but she didn’t want to push me,” Kayla Sullivan said.
Sullivan’s aunt, Liane Sullivan Rae, was one of the greatest performers in St. Dominic Academy history, eventually earning her rightful place in the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. The former Liane Sullivan was a phenomenal distance runner for the Blue Devils in the late 1980s.
Kayla Sullivan said that the family roots had nothing to do with her decision to give running a try.
“I wish I could say that it was, but I never felt any pressure,” Sullivan said. “I never planned to break any of my aunt’s records. I wish there was some tall tale to tell. Joking around, looking back, there was never any family trash talk.”
Sullivan said that she dabbled with running in eighth grade and like her future SDA teammate Bethel, Sullivan said that she loved the team aspect of the sport.
“I had the best time at practice,” Sullivan said. “A lot of people might think otherwise, but you really can have fun. Maybe it’s about misery loving company.”
Sullivan almost walked away from the sport before she even started.
“I went to cross country camp two weeks before school was supposed to start,” Sullivan said. “I was really scared. I said to myself, ‘How am I going to do this?’”
As it turned out, Bethel and Sullivan became two of the greatest athletes in the history of Hudson County track and field. They won countless Hudson County Track Coaches Association titles, with Sullivan winning two HCTCA cross country championships and the NJSIAA North Jersey state sectional crown, as the Blue Devils and Sullivan both posting undefeated state titles her senior year.
“She finished third at the SDA cross country meet and didn’t lose another race,” said veteran SDA head coach and athletic director John Nagel. “In the indoor and outdoor seasons, she didn’t lose in the half (800-meter), mile (1,600-meter) and two-mile (3,200-meter). That’s very unique.”
Bethel was also a member of that cross country team, but her strength came on the track with her immense versatility in several different events, during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Bethel won county and state championships in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles, as well as the high jump, long jump and triple jump.
“Bethel’s diversity and willingness to do different things is clearly her legacy,” Nagel said.
Both Bethel and Sullivan became two of the most decorated products of the vastly successful SDA track and field program, even sharing a championship at the historic Penn Relays, bringing home the first Penn Relays wheel for SDA in more than 20 years.
So it was only fitting that the two would share the Jim Hague Sports Co-Female Athlete of the Year.
The two Blue Devils became the fifth and sixth athletes to receive the year-end honors. Cheri Selby was the first to receive the award in 1994-1995, but that was a time when only one Athlete of the Year was honored. In 2002, it was determined that one male and one female should get the year-end award.
Since that time, three other SDA products were honored, with all three coming from the storied Blue Devil cross country and track and field programs. Christine Capetola (2004-2005), Camille Bertholon (2015-2016) and Malia Gray (2016-2017) also received the honor, given to the top male and female athlete who starred in more than one varsity sport during their high school careers. More than 30 different male and female athletes have been honored as the respective top all-around athlete in Hudson County sports.
Jamling Lama of Secaucus received the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year earlier this year.
Nagel never likes comparing one of his current Blue Devils with those of the past, but knows one thing.
“They’re both destined for the Hudson County Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame,” Nagel said. “They both contributed a lot, brought a lot to the table. They gave equal contributions to what has become the golden age of this program. The teams did well locally and beyond in their tenure. I think they have to appear on the Mount Rushmore of St. Dominic Academy track. Bethel’s range is something that we try to coach in every athlete. Kayla has a drive that she’s just going to win every race. I love her drive. It was amazing to have both together.”
Bethel agrees.
“It’s crazy to think we were on the same team together,” said Bethel, who considers Sullivan as her best friend. “The bond we enjoyed is like nothing else. I remember our first race it really hit me that we could make a future in this.”
Remarkably, the two were able to achieve their heights in the middle of a global pandemic. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of athletes nationwide to the sidelines. But both Bethel and Sullivan have left their indelible marks on both SDA and Hudson County history.
Sullivan heads to Rutgers University, but her competitive track and field career is over. Bethel is off to San Diego State, where she plans to try to walk on to the Aztecs’ incredible track and field program.
“I knew we had a chance to do something great, but every time I take a picture and hang it up on the wall at home, well, those pictures add up,” Bethel said.
“I remember our last practice at Garret Mountain (Reserve in Woodland Park) and I was wondering where I would finish in the race,” Sullivan said. “John (Nagel) said that he thought I was going to win. I didn’t know.”
Sullivan won that race, her final cross country race of her career. It was a fitting ending – and then there was this award.
“Milani is my best friend,” Sullivan said. “We grew up together since freshman year. We shared a lot of struggles together. It’s amazing to think we shared this together. I definitely have no regrets. At the end of the day, we grew up together and learned a lot together. I’m grateful to have had Milani with me. I’m sad it’s over, but I’m super happy I can share this my kids one day.”
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From left, Kayla Sullivan and Milani Bethel display their Jim Hague Soorts Co-Athlete of the Year award with St. Dominic Academy head coach and athletic director John Nagel.
<b>HUDSON COUNTY—JIM HAGUE SPORTS
FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1994-1995-Cheri Selby, St. Dominic Academy
2000-2001-Tiffany Aciz, Secaucus
2003-2004-Mercedes Nunez, Memorial
2004-2005-Christine Capetola, St. Dominic Academy
2005-2006-Nicole Degenhardt, Secaucus
2006-2007-Leslie Njoku, McNair Academic & Cory Roesing, Secaucus
2007-2008-Jenna Totaro, Secaucus
2008-2009-Jennifer Mateo, Union City
2009-2010-Ashley Barron, Hoboken
2010-2011-Shannon Waters, Secaucus
2011-2012-Sybil Lynch, Hoboken
2012-2013-Danielle Roesing, Secaucus
2013-2014-Carolina Herrera, North Bergen
2014-2015-Julia McClure, Secaucus
2015-2016-Camille Bertholon, St. Dominic Academy
2016-2017-Malia Gray, St. Dominic Academy
2017-2018-Nyasia Mixson, Hoboken
2018-2019-Claire Chapeau, McNair Academic
2019-2020-Alicia Campbell, Snyder
2020-2021-Milani Bethel & Kayla Sullivan, St. Dominic Academy
</b>ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-73550474679478561562021-08-12T19:26:00.001-07:002021-08-12T19:52:28.271-07:00My 'Field of Dreams' column from when the movie was releasedThis column was first printed in the pages of the now-defunct Hudson Dispatch on June 29, 1989. It ended up winning several different awards from the New Jersey Press Association, the North Jersey Press Club and the Garden State Society of Journalists. It was also reprinted in Reader’s Digest later that year (although I never got credit, the paper did).
For several years, the clipping sat in an old Avon box in my basement. We had a major flood two years ago that ruined a lot of my old clippings, including several of the old Dispatch articles. But somehow, this one survived. It’s very weather beaten and faded, but it survived.
Because of the Yankees playing the White Sox tonight in the game in a special Field of Dreams contest, i figured it was time to blow the gust off it a little bit and repost in honor of Kevin Costner.
So this is for all you fathers who played catch with their sons.
Thanks to all who are responsible for "Field of Dreams," baseball fans and those who are not fans of our National Pastime. I didn't know if there were members in that latter collection. Here goes, a flashback to 1989 and my glory days as a sportswriter.
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I ventured to the movie theater the other day. No, not to see “Batman” or even “Ghostbusters II.” I’m not a trendy type of guy. In fact, I’m a little behind the times. I saw “Field of Dreams.”
OK, so the rest of the western world has already plunked down the cash to see “Field of Dreams.” We’re in the midst of a blockbuster movie season. “Field of Dreams” is old news to movie freaks. After all, it was only released nine weeks ago.
But “Field of Dreams” is about baseball _ sort of. And besides, “Batman” is not about Don Mattingly. I am a sportswriter at last check. And I’m a movie fan. Just a tardy movie fan, that’s all. I had to go see it. Who cares if I’m late?and
I heard so many things about the movie. It was supposed to be the best thing ever to happen to baseball movies _ which wouldn’t be a hard feat, considering that most baseball flicks flounder.
I went with an open mind, waiting to be disappointed. I left feeling wonderful, feeling alive, feeling good. “Field of Dreams” touched me more than any other movie. It was clearly the best picture I’ve ever witnessed.
And my strong feelings about “Field of Dreams” had nothing to do with baseball. It had to do with life. Or, for that matter, afterlife.
For those who have not had the chance to see “Field of Dreams” _ like all seven of you _ you can stop reading here. Take my word for it, the movie is excellent. It’s the best thing you’ll see all year.
Now, for you other fortunate folk.
Let’s face it. “Field of Dreams” has its flaws. I mean, Shoeless Joe Jackson batted left-handed in real life and threw right. In this movie, the exact opposite. He batted right and threw left.
Brings up a good question. Do your extremities become mirror images after death? Only Elvis can answer that one. Remind me to ask him the next time the King is spotted at a 7-11 in Michigan. Elvis probably shoots at TVs with his left these days.
Gil Hodges is mentioned to be on the “Field of Dreams.” But there were no Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms to be found.
Still, this movie was absolute perfection to me, because it was able to touch me in a way that some people can relate tieldo _ but hopefully not many.
Because of one movie, I got in touch with the huge vacancy that has been dominating my life for the last 18 years _ namely the absence of my father.
I was 10 when cancer snuffed Jack Hague away from me. He was sick, dead and gone within one month’s time in 1971. He was my everything. He was my inspiration, my motivation, my life. He was my Little League manager, my friend. He taught me so much about life in 10 short years _ and then he was gone.
It left me with a brother who was 60 miles away with his own family, a sister who was maturing rapidly _ and a loving mother, who had to be both parents from that point on. It was not easy.
Especially because of my obsession with sports _ something I shared with my Dad. We would watch ball games together, talk baseball constantly, play catch in my backyard.
With no father, those times came to an abrupt halt. I longed for the days of playing catch in the yard. They were long gone.
“Stop throwing like a girl, James,” I could hear him saying. “Step and throw.”
There were so many times in 1972, the first year after my father’s death, that I would stand in the yard, hoping he would come back. I just kept standing there, smacking the ball into my empty glove.
Little League was no longer fun without my Dad. It was a struggle to play for some other manager.
That summer, my mother bought me a “Pitch-Back,” the net that snapped the ball back to you after you tossed it. However, the damn thing never offered advice. It never told me what I was doing wrong. It just stood there.
And the “Pitch-Back” could never tell me what I was doing wrong in life. Of course, my mother did _ and worked hard at it. But living with two women and no man’s view of life certainly was no breeze for a moody kid who found his only release through sports.
As time went on, I tended to forget about my Dad. Not entirely, but enough that he wasn’t a major part of my life anymore. I lost his set of values, his standards. I forgot what Jack Hague stood for. I wanted to be independent, my own person. I couldn’t fill the shoes of a memory.
Sure, sports remained my one constant _ and still is today. Without it, I would be lost. But most of all the other values I thought I had disappeared.
People think I’ve lived a good life, an exciting life. But it’s been fairly shallow. I never realized that until recently _ and never more so until I saw “Field of Dreams.”
It was a total awakening for me. I knew how important my father was _ and still is. Sure, my father was gone, but I should never let him stop being my parent. I should have left his values live on in my life instead of being pigheaded and stubborn and wanting to be something and someone else.
“Field of Dreams” touched me so much that I wanted to build a field in my backyard, albeit a small patch of brown grass nestled in Jersey City. And all the greats of yesteryear who are now departed could come back. They wouldn’t even need an invitation.
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Gil Hodges would wear a Met uniform and run the show. Thurman Munson would be behind the plate. Satchel Paige on the mound, Lou Gehrig at first _ and Jackie Robinson stealing bases all night.
And the players would leave a little spot where right field would be, just enough for a grey-haired man with a three-finger glove could throw some high hard ones to his son.
“Field of Dreams” did what it was supposed to do _ make us all dream. It made me dream _ of the days when my father taught me about baseball and life.
I almost took those days for granted. I look back now and cherish. I never realized how much I truly missed my father.
So this is somewhat of an open call to all our readers. Stop, take time out and realize how important your father is.
Sure, there may be some differences and there may be some strife, but the day may come when your father is suddenly not there _ and that vacant feeling of his loss almost gets a stranglehold of you.
I know what that feeling is like. I knew it 18 years ago _ and I rediscovered that huge gap 11 days ago. Yes, Fathers’ Day, the day I saw “Field of Dreams.” I had totally forgotten it was Fathers’ Day. It was so totally ironic I saw the movie on that day.
I’ll never forget Fathers’ Day again. That’s why I love the movies so much _ and why “Field of Dreams” is the best movie I’ve ever seen. I found my Dad. I’m grateful for Hollywood for that.
That’s why I’m asking all of you to find your fathers, too. While he’s still around.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-2500381087022729792021-08-07T17:09:00.000-07:002021-08-07T17:09:40.721-07:00Roberto Clemente softball heads to RBI World Series in FloridaGabe Villanueva has been coaching softball for a long time now, ever since his daughters, Mariah and Mya, signed up to play for the Roberto Clemente Little League softball program.
So Villanueva knew first hand that he had assembled a good team to play in Major League Baseball’s Rebuilding Baseball in the Inner-City (RBI) Northeast Regional softball tournament a few weeks ago.
“I didn’t know much about the competition,” Villanueva said. “I knew that Hoboken had a good team. They always have a good team in this tournament. But I knew we had some talent. We were going to take it game-by-game.”
Villanueva remembered that Hoboken, under the guidance of Hoboken High School head softball coach Vinnie Johnson, has been a staple of success in the RBI tournament, making several appearances in the RBI World Series.
“We were basically flying blind,” Villanueva said. “But the girls were very comfortable with each other, very comfortable.”
So the Clemente RBI took on the comers at the RBI Northeast Regional last week and won all four games in the tourney to punch their ticket to the RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Florida.
The Clemente All-Stars will head to Florida Sunday morning to play in the RBI World Series, a round robin tourney that will feature eight of the nation’s top softball teams.
“I’m happy for the kids,” Villanueva said. “I want them to soak it all in. They’re getting to play against girls from all across the country. It’s exciting. I just want them to work hard and be proud.”
Clemente will play its first game of the tourne<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiECcWYBNGG_M2nC99I-Op8FcNSo5i6LocWycDE46cKbgC1VNv5Wnyr511zQy_NnFzNEF2r_8tIY-6ZOFeNSrl1jFItYQ-qT2UA4ekiIOg-rVThYoLoQKjnBzqrv7KwgC1UMINdxxrvJS/s4000/Clemente+softball+team.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiECcWYBNGG_M2nC99I-Op8FcNSo5i6LocWycDE46cKbgC1VNv5Wnyr511zQy_NnFzNEF2r_8tIY-6ZOFeNSrl1jFItYQ-qT2UA4ekiIOg-rVThYoLoQKjnBzqrv7KwgC1UMINdxxrvJS/s400/Clemente+softball+team.JPG"/></a></div>y on Monday and they hope to be playing when the final round commences Friday.
Leading the way for the Clemente All-Stars is the Hudson County Player of the Year Jordan Mendolla of Hudson County Tournament champion Hudson Catholic. Mendolla is a dominant pitcher and a solid hitter.
“She’s focused right now,” Villanueva said. “What I like is when it’s game time, she turns everything else off and concentrates on getting the batter. She puts that game face on and is all business.”
Mendolla defeated Hoboken in the semifinals, then defeated Hoboken again, 5-2, in the championship round.
“It’s not easy beating the same team twice in a week,” Villanueva said. “She did a great job.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT2NwfTiFSkVFQbRGWfs8_cDIGvuvXv7fFXOnNHZd5F6V5V0SB5amaApb138rmhvhCywVkv3tV05PpIl95oUeYQLF0p3VTbgpzukqnSXkSE8foZN9ZANTOLr6GASNSS0FAlV_odSPPWpB/s4000/Jordan+Mendolla+action.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjT2NwfTiFSkVFQbRGWfs8_cDIGvuvXv7fFXOnNHZd5F6V5V0SB5amaApb138rmhvhCywVkv3tV05PpIl95oUeYQLF0p3VTbgpzukqnSXkSE8foZN9ZANTOLr6GASNSS0FAlV_odSPPWpB/s320/Jordan+Mendolla+action.JPG"/></a></div>Backing Mendolla up on the mound is Lisa Frias from Elizabeth. Once teams are eliminated from the tourney, like Elizabeth was last week, teams are able to draft players from the eliminated teams. That’s how Frias earned her stripes with Clemente.
“Lisa can play anywhere,” Villanueva said. “She can play second base, left field, catcher and pitcher. She comes to me and says, ‘I can do whatever you want.’ She’s impressive.”
The team’s catchers are Mariah Villanueva, an All-Hudson County honoree during her playing days at McNair Academic and now plays at New Jersey City University, and Julia Sanchez from Hudson Catholic. Mya Villanueva is the team’s regular third baseman. The coach has enjoyed coaching his daughters.
“It’s been a pleasure,” the elder Villanueva said. “It’s a little sad to see them growing up.”
The dad will get a chance to see his daughters perform together in the spring as both will continue their playing careers at New Jersey City University.
The first basemen are Ayla Hernandez of Rutherford and Najiah Classen of Hudson Catholic. Classen is expected to be Mendolla’s replacement at Hudson Catholic in the spring.
Haley O’Connor of Hudson Catholic is the team’s second baseman with the slick fielding, clutch hitting Cheyann Fulton manning shortstop. Fulton is headed to Barry University in Florida to play college softball.
“Cheyann is the team’s mainstay,” Villanueva said. “She’s one of the best defensive shortstops I’ve ever seen.”
Fulton has a very hectic schedule over the next few weeks. She will head to the Sunshine State to play with her Jersey City buddies, then come home next weekend and two days later, head back to Florida to begin school at Barry.
“It’s very wild,” Fulton said. “It means everything to me to play with this team. It’s a business trip for me. I’m not packed. I don’t even know what I’m taking. I’ve never played softball in Florida before. I’m very excited about it.”
Fulton will major in athletic training in Barry.
Mya Villanueva and Snyder graduate Emily Borowski are Clemente’s third basemen.
“It means a lot for me to be on this team,” Mya Villanueva said. “We’re getting the chance to leave a good mark, make a good name for kids from Jersey City. We really have a special bond. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I get to share it with my sister and my dad. I missed playing with my sister. We’re going to try to make people of Jersey City proud.”
Mya Villanueva will major in exercise science at NJCU.
The feel-good story of the team is left fielder Jermirah Birchett, who is without question a rising star. The reason for the happy thoughts? Birchett is only 13 years old, playing on a team that features players 18 and under. That’s five years difference for those lacking mathematics skills. Some of this Clemente team is already in college. Birchett is headed to the eighth grade at the Jersey City Middle School.
“You’re going to hear her name a lot in the future,” Villanueva said. “She does it all. She’s the next up-and-comer. She just turned 13. And she’s more than holding her own here.”
Birchett is enjoying her time with the team.
“I was surprised and excited to make the team,” Birchett said. “I’m getting this great opportunity. I was a little nervous, because the others on this team are very good. I’m the small one next to them. But this has been a major confidence booster. It helps me get my name out there.”
Angelina Navarro is the team’s centerfielder. The former Ferris High School All-County performer is headed to Pace University and will try out for the team there. She has been playing softball for Roberto Clemente softball program since she was nine years old.
“I didn’t think this was going to happen,” Navarro said about the sojourn south to play. “I had a job set up for the summer, but now I will give it up to go play in Florida. So we better win.”
Navarro said the last line with a laugh.
“I’m very excited about this,” Navarro said.
Right field duties are being shared Gina Estrada, a former Ferris standout now at Monmouth University and Meredith Antonio, the sister of All-County baseball star Andy Antonio, who first starred at Ferris and ended up at Hudson Catholic.
Two players who would have played key roles on the team are injured and will not play. Jaylen Berrios, who wateras a fine player at Bayonne, and Zoe Mays, the 13-year-old granddaughter of famed Olympic track and field athlete, the late Charlie Mays.
The elder Villanueva is confident with his team’s chances.
“We have a lot of talent,” Villanueva said. “I hope the girls realize that.”
After watching the team practice last week at Enos Jones Field in downtown Jersey City and see them hit rocket after rocket in batting practice, it’s safe to say they know it now. And they hope that the rest of Vero Beach gets to realize it later this week.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-60973516062933051702021-08-04T14:51:00.010-07:002021-08-04T14:51:47.959-07:00Williams named new grid coach at Bayonne HighThe famous author Thomas Wolfe once wrote a famous and often quoted line: “You can’t go home again.”
Well, Wolfe never met Dwayne Williams, because recently, he proved Wolfe wrong, because after a long journey, going back and forth across the continental United States, Williams has indeed returned to his beloved home of Bayonne, N.J. as the head football coach at his alma mater of Bayonne High School.
The 61-year-old Williams was appointed a few weeks ago and was approved by the Bayonne Board of Education last week. Not wasting any time, Williams went right to work as the successor to Jason Acerra, who received an administrative position in the district.
For the prior three years, Williams served as the head coach at Barringer in Newark and helped to turn that program around, with the help of super talented quarterback Zamar Wise, now at the University of Massachusetts. Williams posted a record of 9-13 over those three years. He enjoyed his stay with the Bears and was developing a successful program.
But when Acerra stepped down at the end of last season, Williams made sure to put his name into the hat for consideration.
And it took some adversity for Williams to realize that he indeed wanted to come back home.
“I lost my mother, two sisters and a nephew in a span of three weeks,” said Williams, who comes from a family of 12 siblings, 11 of which were/are female. Williams is the lone boy.
“That was a big blow to me,” Williams said. “We have a very close family.”
And another reason for wanting to return to Bayonne was the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic and the safety precautions that were taken to combat the virus, Barringer only played three games last fall.
“We had no contingency plan,” Williams said. “What were we supposed to do? I was taking kids to get COVID tests. I saw firsthand what COVID could do.”
Williams is a dyed-in-the-wool member of the Bayonne Bees as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the program. In the mid-1970s, Williams lit up scoreboards running wild for the Bees. Williams is a three-time All-Hudson County honoree and was twice named All-State. He earned Parade All-American honors, collecting nearly 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career, playing for the immortal Don Ahern, for whom the stadium where the Bees play is named.
Williams then went to the University of Iowa, who was coached by the legendary Hayden Fry. But Williams’ career was stalled due to injuries and his career never really got a chance to blossom like anticipated.
When his career ended, Williams returned to Bayonne and began a four-decade journey in coaching. It all began with the Bees and returns to Bayonne when the season kicks off Sept. 2 at Newark East Side.
“I think it’s best for everyone,” Williams said. “I’m the last of the Ahern disciples. It’s an honor for me to come back and for all the guys who bleed garnet and white. I can bring the tradition and pride back to the program. I know that the challenge ahead could be exhausting and overwhelming. I’m just happy for the opportunity, but it’s time to go to work.”
Williams conducted a youth clinic last week involving some of the returning Bees, then got right to work preparing for the upcoming season.
“I’ve never been a guy who backs down to a challenge,” Williams said. “No doubt, I’m going to put my heart and soul into this, because it’s where I’m supposed to be.”
Williams was an assistant under Ahern during the mid-1980s, including the great 1988 season that featured All-State performers Ernie Beler and Danan Hughes. The Bees lost to Paterson Eastside in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV state championship game, but that team posted a 9-2 record and won the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association championship in a very competitive league that featured state ranked teams North Bergen and St. Peter’s Prep.
After taking a break from coaching for a few years, Williams returned to Bayonne to serve as an assistant coach to Tom Bulwith after Coach Ahern lost his battle to cancer.
“Bull brought me back,” Williams said. “I remember sitting in his home with Jerry Castaldo (another key assistant with the Bees) and they convinced me to come back. Bull said, ‘Help me turn this program around.’”
They did, but Williams was with the Bees for only one season. Bulwith resigned and was replaced by Rick Rodriguez.
“I knew I wasn’t going to be the next head coach,” Williams said.
So Williams went to Elizabeth as an assistant to famed coach Chet Parlavecchio and another stint at Roselle High School.
However, Williams’ opportunities to be a head coach didn’t disappear. In 2011, Williams received a phone call from Larry Arico, who was at the time the athletic director/head coach at neighboring rival Marist, a school that has now since closed. But Arico didn’t want to do both jobs and asked Williams if he would become the head coach. It wasn’t well received from the cronies in Bayonne, thinking that one of their homegrown would actually move down Kennedy Boulevard to coach Marist. That move was almost like sacrilege.
“I didn’t care what other people thought,” Williams said. “I told Larry I was willing to help him out.”
Williams was almost like a miracle worker with the Royal Knights, leading them to the state playoffs in 2012 for the first time in seven years, before falling to Montclair Kimberley Academy in overtime in the NJSIAA Parochial Group 2 first round.
After two years with the Royal Knights, Williams started to put on his traveling shoes. With the assistance of legendary Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder, Williams made the move to Kansas, first to Highland Park High School in Topeka and finally Schlagle High School in Kansas City, where Williams led that program to never before reached heights, winning nine straight games and earning a state playoff berth with 10 wins his last year.
“Schlagle was nothing and we took them to the state sectional semifinals,” Williams said.
His former teammate at Iowa Andre Tippett asked him if he would like to come back to New Jersey and coach at Tippett’s alma mater Barringer.
“I was getting older and wanted to spend more time with my mother,” Williams said.
Williams said that his mother’s dream was to see her lone boy coach at Bayonne, but she passed away in 2020.
But he’s home now, ready to take over the Bees, ready to make them buzz and sting. It might be coming a little later than Williams would have liked, but he’s finally getting the chance now, coaching on the field that he
once danced on, up and down the sidelines. And he’s coaching on a field named after his mentor.
“I will never take that Don Ahern name lightly,” Williams said. “I learned a lot about hard work from that man. I don’t know if this was God’s plan for me, I just think it’s my time. And I’m ready.”
And Bayonne is more than ready to have a native son come home again. Take that, Thomas Wolfe.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-89764190741455108582021-07-29T01:15:00.001-07:002021-07-29T01:15:43.793-07:00Secaucus' Lama named as Hudson County's top male athlete Growing up,<b> Jamling Lama</b> didn’t have to look far for inspiration to participate in sports.
Lama had his two older brothers, namely <b>Sonam</b> and <b>Pema</b>, who both played basketball competitively.
“It wasn’t just sports,” Lama said. “It was everything. I had to do things the right way, to be a good person. I went about it every day. Nothing was guaranteed. I was blessed to have another day.”
And Lama followed in his brothers’ footsteps in every fashion imaginable, like keeping a strong, upbeat and alive personality.
“Nothing positive can come from having a negative mindset,” Lama said.
So when the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with his junior year at Secaucus High School, totally wiping out the baseball season, Lama kept a stiff upper lip and managed to maintain his positive ways.
“I knew that I had another year of high school,” Lama said. “I knew it was going to be my time to shine.”
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Jamling Lama (center) receives the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year outside Secaucus High School, becoming just the second Patriot male to ever receive the award. From left are Secaucus High School Principal Steven Viggiani, athletic director Charlie Voorhees, assistant soccer coach Chris Innis, Hague, Lama, head baseball coach Neal Czochanski and head basketball coach Tom Curry.
Even with the pandemic raging throughout the area, Lama made sure he had a senior year to remember, which he most certainly did.
Lama excelled in three sports, namely soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring, like he had done for the previous years.
Lama didn’t play soccer until his junior year, but scored a team-high 16 goals. He had a team best six goals in just seven games that the Patriots played through the pandemic.
During the basketball season, Lama really shined. He averaged 21.5 points in the 10 games that the Patriots played and led the team in rebounds, steals and assists. He ended his career with 1,300 points on the head, becoming the school’s all-time leading male scorer in the process.
And in baseball, Lama was a standout centerfielder and pitcher, who batted .444 in another limited schedule.
For his efforts, Lama has been selected as the <b>Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Yea<i></i></b>r. Lama received his award at the school last month with coaches and administrators present.
Lama is the first recipient of the year-end award since <b>Alex Rodriguez </b>claimed it back in 1992-93. Rodriguez was the second athlete to receive the award for his football and wrestling exploits.
The Athlete of the Year is given to the top athlete who excels in more than one varsity sport. Lama definitely fits that description to a tee.
“I always liked having a fully loaded schedule,” Lama said. “I always wanted to be a part of the other sports. I grew up going to my brothers’ games. I couldn’t wait to play.”
Baseball was the first sport Jamling played as a youngster, joining the Secaucus Little League at age five to play T-ball. Basketball soon followed, while soccer was an afterthought until his junior year of high school.
His parents, father <b>Pasang</b> and <b>mother</b> Nuku, are natives of Nepal who immigrated to the United States in 1989 before their children were born. They understood how important sports were to their sons, with Jamling being the last of the Lama clan.
“They respected what we did and supported us,” Lama said.
Even after missing a year due to COVID, Lama’s baseball career stood out. He ran down practically every fly ball in centerfield and was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher when he got the ball.
“In my mind, he was always the best athlete on the field,” Secaucus head baseball coach <b>Neal Czochanski</b> said. “He had the kind of attitude you want out of a player. He always had the mindset that he was going to succeed. Who knows what he could have done with the extra year? He was always positive and always had a smile on his face. I’ve always said that Jam made everyone around him happy.”
Secaucus head boys’ basketball coach <b>Tom Curry</b> also sang Lama’s praises.
“I believe Jamling was a positive quality role model and solidified the foundation of our program,” said Curry, whose team posted an 8-2 record in the shortened season. “I really think Jam was the foundation to all our successes. He had a role that was more important than just basketball.”
Curry, who is also the head football coach at Park Ridge, believes Lama is among the top two athletes he had the pleasure of coaching in his career.
“If you ask me who my top two athletes were, I’d say <b>Vince Pinto</b>, who was an outstanding quarterback at Park Ridge, and Jam,” Curry said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, but a better kid. Jam has the quality you want in a player and a leader. I have a son and I want him to be like Jamling Lama.”
Lama said that he just joined the soccer team as a junior to stay in shape for the other two sports. He had no idea he would turn into the team’s leading scorer in both seasons.
“I was just kicking the ball around with my friends and they said that I should think about playing soccer,” Lama said. “I just happened to be the leading scorer. I give credit to my teammates and my coaches for getting me the chances to score. It was a lot of fun. I totally did it for conditioning, but after I started playing, I wanted to win with my teammates.”
It’s in basketball where Lama really shined. He knew that he needed a big season to become the school’s all-time leading scorer, especially with a truncated schedule.
“When I first started playing, I was taught to be defensive minded,” Lama said. “But then I was asked to be more of a scorer, which I did. I always worked hard with my brothers and that hard work paid off. I did what I was told and I’m thankful for that.”
Lama was part of the Secaucus varsity baseball team since he was a freshman and became the team’s leader as a senior after missing out on a junior year. He was an All-County outfielder as a sophomore in 2019.
“I always loved running down fly balls,” Lama said. “It’s really where I could show my speed.”
Lama, who was also an excellent student, posting a 3.9 grade point average over his career, heads to Felician University to play basketball in the fall. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing baseball as well, but for now, he’ll concentrate on basketball.
“The time has come for Jam to dedicate his passion to just one sport,” Czochanski said. “I just want to see him happy. He’s awesome when he’s happy.”
“I think I always held myself to a high standard,” Lama said. “I always wanted to be a good kid first. I wanted to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. I learned that from my parents. I was told to never put anyone down. So I always tried to make my teammates feel like they were the greatest. I did that in my daily life.”
Lama was excited to receive the award.
“It’s definitely a prestigious honor,” Lama said. “Being only the second Secaucus athlete to receive the award is something really special to me. I’m very thankful for it.”
So Lama moves on, leaving a legacy of greatness, but also for being such a well-rounded, joyful and respectful young man. And now he leaves with the title of being the best athlete in Hudson County.
“I can never replace these four years,” Lama said. “I believe my high school career was well used. Every sport, I believe I performed my best and the outcome showed each season. I’m so happy and grateful to have played for Secaucus.”
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Sportswriter Jim Hague (left) presents Secaucus' Jamling Lama with the award of being the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year.
HUDSON COUNTY-JIM HAGUE SPORTS
MALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
1991-1992-Jason Casessa, Hoboken
1992-1993-Alex Rodriguez, Secaucus
1993-1994-Eduardo Gomez, Hoboken
1995-1996-Rashard Casey, Hoboken
1996-1997-Czar Wiley, North Bergen
1997-1998-Koz Perez, North Bergen
1998-1999-Mike Forcum, Hoboken
1999-2000-Jonathan Robinson, Memorial
2001-2002-Bryan Durango, Memorial
2002-2003-Jason Blanks, Hoboken
2003-2004-Danny Lopez, Weehawken
2004-2005-Mike Brown, St. Peter’s Prep
2005-2006-Garrett Askew, Hudson Catholic
2006-2007-Evan Rodriguez, North Bergen
2007-2008-Chris Jones, Lincoln
2008-2009-Michael Kuzirian, Memorial
2009-2010-Kevin Innis, St. Peter’s Prep
2010-2011-Jose Veras, Dickinson
2011-2012-Jason Pineda, Weehawken
2012-2013-Damian Corredor, Weehawken
2013-2014-Tyrik Darby, Lincoln
2014-2015-Corey Caddle, St. Peter’s Prep
2015-2016-Royaal Jones, Hudson Catholic
2016-2017-Jorge Portorreal, St. Peter’s Prep
2017-2018-Shayne Simon, St. Peter’s Prep
2018-2019-Ayir Asante, St. Peter’s Prep
2019-2020-Nyjon Freeman, Hoboken
<b>2020-2021-Jamling Lama, Secaucus</b>
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-54032376844131312382021-07-21T11:46:00.002-07:002021-07-21T19:46:29.071-07:00Hudson County's top male scholar/athletesHere are the profiles of the top scholar-athletes in Hudson County, awarded by the NJSIAA
<b>Ruben Gonzalo, Union City
Cross country, indoor track, baseball</b>
From a very early age, Ruben Gonzalo recognized the importance of getting good grades in school.
“Ever since I was just a little thing, I knew that one of the most important things in my life was my schoolwork,” Gonzalo said. “My grades always came first before sports. If I didn’t have good grades, then I would have no sports. My parents made sure of that.”
So his mom Vielka and dad Ruben instilled those philosophies in their young son.
“It was always that way,” said Gonzalo, one of the busiest student/athletes at Union City High School, competing in three sports.
Gonzalo said that he played baseball since he was five years old, but his love for cross country and track and field came later.
“I was in eighth grade and I had to take the BEEP test in gym class,” Gonzalo said. “And you had to run from one end of the gym to the other.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaM6UBMdpbjV-c2hFDIbAsp27og5566dytAzLX7YzXFPpAHtp35VlHD6BHjZ1HVcP788odmMaLWXF3rXYUM-mgczbAJussGSV2uXzF_f5NPO3BxEKE56cVz-kzeQnIzeHaauWP8miYPvc/s601/Gonzalo.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaM6UBMdpbjV-c2hFDIbAsp27og5566dytAzLX7YzXFPpAHtp35VlHD6BHjZ1HVcP788odmMaLWXF3rXYUM-mgczbAJussGSV2uXzF_f5NPO3BxEKE56cVz-kzeQnIzeHaauWP8miYPvc/s400/Gonzalo.jpg"/></a></div>One of the teachers watching Gonzalo run was the school’s Fitness Club coach Manny Hernandez.
“He became one of my mentors,” Gonzalo said of Hernandez. “He said that I had potential. He would get on me and tell me to run. Before I knew it, I was in my first cross country race. I didn’t even know that cross country was a sport.”
In his first-ever race, Gonzalo wore dress shoes to the meet.
“I ran in shoes that I would go out with my friends in,” Gonzalo said. “As we were lining up, I looked side-to-side and saw what they were all wearing. They were all wearing shoes different than mine. Next thing I know, the gun goes off and I just started running. I knew I would never do that again.”
After that first race, Gonzalo gained a little confidence. The self assurance then exploded in just his second race.
“It was at Darlington (in Bergen County) and I won a gold medal in that race,” Gonzalo said. “I then later won the North Hudson championship as well. I knew that I was enjoying it and I was doing pretty well. I figured that I was probably not going to play baseball anymore.”
But that wasn’t the case. As a senior, Gonzalo came back to the diamond and played the outfield for the baseball team.
Next month, Gonzalo is headed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he plans to study law and legal studies. He achieved a grade point average of a 4.3 in a 5.0 scale. He either wants to become a lawyer or perhaps join the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Either way, Gonzalo had a brilliant career at Union City, both as an athlete and in the classroom, just like his parents always wanted. Being the top student/athlete in a school the size of Union City is no small achievement.
“I like the way that sounds,” Gonzalo said. “I feel that the top student/athletes don’t get much attention.”
They certainly do here.
<b>Sofian Rahhali, Weehawken
Soccer, track and field, tennis</b>
Like Gonzalo, Rahhali had a positive influence at home that served as inspiration.
“Grades were always important to me, because my parents emphasized that,” said Rahhali, who was born in Boston, but moved to Weehawken with his family at age two. “My parents (father Jay, mother Mamika) put it in my brain at an early age.”
By the time Rahhali enrolled at Weehawken High School, he was established as one of the top students in the district. But Rahhali wanted more. So he joined the soccer team, where he instantly became a member of the Indians’ varsity team. He was a striker on the team for four years and helped to lead the Indians to the North Jersey Interscholastic League-Division 2 championship, scoring a team-high 14 goals and adding four assists. The 14-goal total was exactly what Rahhali scored over his previous two seasons combined.
Rahhali participated in track and field before this past spring, when he decided to join the tennis team.
“I played tennis before when I was younger and I liked the sport,” Rahhali said. “I just thought it would be a great experience for me. I always wanted to give it a shot. I’m glad I stayed with it.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRgk0AkqDRIMxKlmgpPxE9opGszoiNpT0e8sGneq45F7mBwQe_O7BcHslotl0XshYD9Zz0AbHfn8-E0CkKHL0nDU35TJryTOoowvWyuNpEs2jeRJFx7VGOUWs3Otq2XS5x3bDfYWIuyNU/s1024/Sofian.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRgk0AkqDRIMxKlmgpPxE9opGszoiNpT0e8sGneq45F7mBwQe_O7BcHslotl0XshYD9Zz0AbHfn8-E0CkKHL0nDU35TJryTOoowvWyuNpEs2jeRJFx7VGOUWs3Otq2XS5x3bDfYWIuyNU/s400/Sofian.JPG"/></a></div>Rahhali had no idea he was under consideration to become Weehawken’s top scholar/athlete.
“Mr. (Nick) DeStefano (the Weehawken athletic director) said that he wanted to talk to me,” Rahhali said. “I thought I was in some sort of trouble. I wondered why did he want to talk to me. When he told me, my mouth was wide open and I was gasping for breath. It was really unexpected.”
Rahhali’s fine athletic career has come to an end. That’s because he’s headed to Northwestern University next month, taking his insane 4.655 grade point average and an ungodly score of 1520 on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests. In fact, Rahhali took the SATs on the day before the world shut down due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
“I got a good score, so there was no need to take it again,” Rahhali said.
Rahhali plans on majoring in computer science at the Big 10 power from Evanston, Illinois.
“I’m honestly not too sure about what I want to do after school,” Rahhali said. “I have an interest in technology and data, so computer science is a good major for me.”
Rahhali has yet to visit the campus, which is located right on the outskirts of Chicago.
“I’m excited to go there,” Rahhali said. “It’s not out in the middle of nowhere. It’s right near a big city.”
Make that the third largest city in the country.
Rahhali said that he had an immense amount of pride in being selected as Weehawken’s top scholar/athlete.
“Honestly, it’s a huge accomplishment for me,” Rahhali said. “To be recognized for what I’m working hard to do is a nice feeling.”
<b>Jason Blanks, Hoboken
Football, basketball, baseball
</b>
Blanks, one of the most versatile performers on this list, having lettered in football, basketball and baseball during his brilliant career, took a lot of pride in being named Hoboken’s top scholar-athlete.
“It means a lot to me,” Blanks said. “To get recognized for what I do on the field is one thing, but to get recognized for what I’ve done in the classroom is another. I put a lot of effort in the classroom from my freshman year on. I was able to get mostly As in my classes. I was always a pretty good athlete. I could always find a place on the field, but it was harder without the grades. I think by fifth or sixth grade, I realized what I had to do. I started to like school.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiba5fMa9oNNk7kvNrw8m2oGFOsVrjz-0VaCnqhtxolJnvyHMAjCJX_d6zHogmM3Yo1m9t9rZpnTvOFiVCi_lHgxar67NhYRSmrxwIKjOYgF3p4GDhCzhtEy8MckDdcoo_IllwmBy3IiGa/s4000/James+Blanks.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiba5fMa9oNNk7kvNrw8m2oGFOsVrjz-0VaCnqhtxolJnvyHMAjCJX_d6zHogmM3Yo1m9t9rZpnTvOFiVCi_lHgxar67NhYRSmrxwIKjOYgF3p4GDhCzhtEy8MckDdcoo_IllwmBy3IiGa/s400/James+Blanks.JPG"/></a></div>Blanks’ intelligence enabled him to become the starting quarterback for the Red Wings for the final three years of his career, provided he remained healthy. Blanks had to overcome a series of nagging injuries through his career. But Blanks realized that being the quarterback in an integral Delaware Wing-T offense meant that he had to be a cerebral leader.
“I think it definitely helped me,” Blanks said. “I felt like I was always one step ahead of everyone. I had the speed to run well and had the arm to throw. I felt like I needed to outsmart everyone to be one step ahe
Blanks carried a 3.3 grade point average in the classroom. He will head to Rowan University next month to begin his football career with the Profs as a defensive back and kick returner
Blanks followed in the footsteps of his father, also named Jason, who was a fine quarterback, pitcher in baseball and guard in basketball, earning Hudson Reporter Male Athlete of the Year honors in 2003.
Blanks said that he felt blessed to be the recipient of the top student/athlete in Hoboken.
“I really stay on the humble side,” Blanks said. “I don’t like to talk about myself a lot. I’m just grateful to receive the recognition for my hard work.”
<b>Jordan Hart, Snyder
Cross country, track and field</b>
When Jordan Hart was a little kid, he had one goal in life. He wanted to become a construction worker.
But things changed when Hart started high school.
“I really took a liking to science,” Hart said. “Biology became a passion of mine.
Much like track and field snuck up on Hart and became another passion. Hart, who attended County Prep, said that track always fascinated him.
“I tried football and baseball,” Hart said. “I just didn’t keep interest. I was always trying to find things that intrigued me and I learned that I had the passion to run. Although I was always the slow kid running with my bunch of friends. My passion for running wasn’t awakened until high school. Freshman year, after my first race, I realized that I could be pretty good.”
And Hart learned a fast lesson in that first race, which was the 400-meter dash.
“I went out like a mad man,” Hart said “And I obviously made a mistake. I died at the end.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqSGzs_3lMEdgX8v1MIblo4uyUHHsJ_JrkYkR04yzxayJoEkh_8e0rsh7cRpO-70PsIQXhyphenhyphen5NEErCrCu67ct4FiA6Tth6vXjlinQTLcscnhyphenhyphenw1Nz06JIM-2AIhBbjJwuVkIxmZTaQ3bnp/s1104/Hart.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqSGzs_3lMEdgX8v1MIblo4uyUHHsJ_JrkYkR04yzxayJoEkh_8e0rsh7cRpO-70PsIQXhyphenhyphen5NEErCrCu67ct4FiA6Tth6vXjlinQTLcscnhyphenhyphenw1Nz06JIM-2AIhBbjJwuVkIxmZTaQ3bnp/s400/Hart.JPG"/></a></div>But there was a good thing that took place in that first race.
“I was hooked,” Hart said. “It really was a lot of fun. I looked forward to going to practice the next day. I loved being out there with my friends.”
Hart was obviously pretty good, qualifying for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I meet as a freshman, finishing fourth in the 400-meter dash, crossing the line in an impressive 22.46 seconds. Incredibly, Hart either tied or broke his personal record 49 times in his career. That’s persistence, perseverance and awesome dedication to a sport that he never thought he would be a participant.
“I just wanted to keep getting better,” Hart said. “I took a lot of pride in myself. My confidence went through the roof. I don’t get to say that a lot, but I really felt good about the way I was playing. I put in a lot of work and I was seeing the work pay off. My parents (mom Aisha Harper and dad Tashawn Hart) really made sure that I put everything I had into it.”
Hart compiled a 3.75 grade point average. His love of science will send him to DeSales University and major in biology with the hope of attending medical school upon graduation from DeSales, which is the former Allentown College. It is a Roman Catholic institution.
Hart credits the mentorship of Dr. Jason Elliston, a pediatrician and family friend, who has watched over Hart during his adolescence.
“He was definitely a big influence on me,” Hart said of Dr. Elliston.
And Hart’s goal? To become a neurosurgeon one day.
“Biology has become a passion, much like track,” Hart said.
And how did Hart end his high school passion? He competed in the United States NIKE Nationals at the NIKE complex in Eugene, Oregon. Only fitting.
<b>William DeIasi, Secaucus
Baseball
</b>
When it came to athletics and academics, DeIasi always had the right approach.
“I wanted to keep my GPA (grade point average) high and my ERA low,” DeIasi said. “I always found the time to do my best in both.”
That’s an understatement. DeIasi graduated as the salutatorian of the Secaucus Class of 2021, posting a grade point average of an ungodly 4.67 on the 4.0 scale.
“I was able to take a lot of AP (advanced placement) classes and a lot of honors classes,” DeIasi said. “That helped me. I think I’ve always been a great student. School has always been my priority. I think my parents (dad William and mom Christine) always wanted me to do well in school, so if something ever happened to me in sports in terms of an injury, I had the education to back it up. My parents have always been a huge influence on me.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTjFP94r5fjYZ3vdQhvzJONYjELQdDvtVNLrN_zb22_mepWtja7BzwdC0871newQx0B2A9nc9lSiyzXQPCLDYaUV0SlxfhO7LoVlxYroVtJ1f4SS2K04pnwByEpLIaBKNc2WpQudF7l2F/s4000/William+DeIasi.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTjFP94r5fjYZ3vdQhvzJONYjELQdDvtVNLrN_zb22_mepWtja7BzwdC0871newQx0B2A9nc9lSiyzXQPCLDYaUV0SlxfhO7LoVlxYroVtJ1f4SS2K04pnwByEpLIaBKNc2WpQudF7l2F/s400/William+DeIasi.JPG"/></a></div>DeIasi developed into a fine pitcher for the Patriots, especially after missing all of his junior year due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. He spent a lot of his free time training and developing his pitching skills with Wladyka Baseball, under the watchful eyes of fellow standout pitcher Jim Wladyka, an All-State hurler out of Rutherford High School during his heyday. DeIasi also took hitting lessons from Mike Mobbs, not ready to give up on being a threat both on the mound and at the plate.
“But I learned that you could never have enough pitchers,” DeIasi said. “That’s what I basically focused on coming into this year. I started out with the JV (junior varsity) team and worked my way up to being one of the top pitchers on our staff.”
DeIasi’s best performance came against New Milford early in the season, when he fired a two-hitter, striking out 11 in a 10-1 win.
DeIasi will now head to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he will major in mechanical engineering. He plans on trying to make the Scarlet Knights’ roster as a walk-on.
“I’ve sent e-mails to the coaches to see if I can give it a try,” DeIasi said. “I do take pride in my development as a pitcher. I’m very excited to be going to Rutgers. I’ve had a lot of fun playing baseball and I want to continue playing. I wouldn’t change a thing about my career. I’m happy with the way things turned out for me.”
<b>Julian Lim, McNair Academic
Soccer</b>
Before he entered high school, Lim was always a goaltender on the soccer field. But that quickly changed when Lim enrolled at McNair Academic.
“I made the transition to center midfield,” Lim said. “I then moved up to striker this year because everyone thought I would be able to score more goals.”
As it turned out, Lim was the Cougars’ leading scorer this past season.
“I played soccer my whole life,” Lim said. “It’s always been a lot of fun.”
However, fate wasn’t too kind in 2016, when Julian’s father, <b>Jourdan</b>, passed away.
“My motivation was always internal,” Lim said. “But I pushed myself to the max. I have two younger brothers that I look after. I’ve always bonded well with my brothers, but being the eldest, I had to worry about them. It wasn’t easy. I think it made me mature a lot quicker. At times, it was stressful and I always kept my priorities in check in order to help my brothers. I became a more compassionate person. I think it was almost a miracle that I was able to persevere. I knew that I was not going to become a victim of the streets. I wasn’t going to become completely overwhelmed by the situation.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW8a9nWgrIKOZQqfhyphenhyphenu9OPOU15lZfZn00zYJqoNnwB8A8KqZD-ds0MQv8OgHFIRVG_zR9mt0ag9EmZC_KTUaPOduirV5bHG4CKEqN7DgoLVs_Jkeqr2sjSqzSEXAA7P387q2n_FTa1aTV/s2048/Lim.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW8a9nWgrIKOZQqfhyphenhyphenu9OPOU15lZfZn00zYJqoNnwB8A8KqZD-ds0MQv8OgHFIRVG_zR9mt0ag9EmZC_KTUaPOduirV5bHG4CKEqN7DgoLVs_Jkeqr2sjSqzSEXAA7P387q2n_FTa1aTV/s400/Lim.jpeg"/></a></div>Lim said that soccer kept him sane.
“Every practice, I wanted to go as hard as I possibly could,” Lim said. “I never worried about burning out. I knew I wanted to go to a good school.”
Lim, who carried an average of 101 out of 100 in his classes, is headed to Princeton University in a few weeks, where he will be reunited with <b>Fahd Nasser</b>, who was a member of the same relay team for the indoor track team when Lim was a freshman. Lim will major in economics at Princeton.
“It’s like a huge burden has been lifted off of me,” Lim said. “The four-year grind has turned into something good. I’m extremely grateful for the chance.”
Lim doesn’t know what the future holds.
“I’m still trying to figure that out,” Lim said. “Maybe I can run a start-up company. That would be awesome.”
<b>Gabriel Arias, Harrison
Soccer</b>
Although Gabriel Arias concentrated on one sport, namely soccer, he made sure that he made the most of that sport, as well as his academic standing.
“I tended to focus on my soccer,” said Arias, who is headed to Rutgers-Newark in the fall to continue his soccer career. “I was always focused on my education as well, but my parents (mother Isabel Valencia and father Victor Arias) made sure I did my school work. They were always supportive of me, considering how much I loved playing soccer.”
Arias was born in the United States, but both of his parents were born in Peru.
“I was very happy and excited to tell my parents about this award,” Arias said.
Arias believes that his love of soccer helped him become a better student in the classroom. Arias maintained a 3.8 grade point average throughout his days at Harrison.
“I think soccer gave me more confidence with my academics,” Arias said. “I had to work harder to keep those grades up when I needed to.”
Arias was a standout defender for the famed Harrison Blue Tide soccer program.
“I think I was a defender because of my speed,” Arias said. “It helped me get up and down the wing.”
Getting the top scholar/athlete award meant a lot to Arias.
“I was able to achieve something I always wanted to have,” Arias said. “I always wanted to keep a good balance between soccer and my grades. This let me know I did a good job at both.”
<b>Jamiel Lawrence, Lincoln
Football
</b>
One might think that Lawrence got the catchy and loveable nickname of “Oatmeal” because of the natural rhyme that goes with his name.
But that would be wrong.
“I’ve been called ‘Oatmeal’ ever since I was a little boy, around six or so,” said Lawrence, the highly talented quarterback for the Lincoln football team. “My father was called ‘Oatmeal’ so it just kind of stuck to me.”
Yeah, much like lumpy overcooked oatmeal that just sticks to everything, you know, the bowl, the spoon, the stomach.
“I just started to get called ‘Oatmeal’ and it was almost like I didn’t even know my own name,” Lawrence said.
The other name Lawrence acquired this year? Being the top scholar-athlete in a big school like Lincoln.
“I didn’t even know I would be considered for the award, considering a lot of the classes were virtual,” Lawrence said. “It really took a toll on me. I actually was kind of surprised when I heard I got the award. I wanted to get an ‘A’ average in my classes.”
He had to settle for A-minus instead.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpL5cKR6WcutFHz6vmMAVIovHwy2UxmLbxjfnmePbbflosXCH41JOCuhZEiHu0cN2cxJDup2pSM-7y7N6og31XjWylyCHiP8XdNK4y7dhChnCojyZImvCCGcJFeeJkF9bQmfNVJuJH9ii/s4000/Jameil+Lawrence.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpL5cKR6WcutFHz6vmMAVIovHwy2UxmLbxjfnmePbbflosXCH41JOCuhZEiHu0cN2cxJDup2pSM-7y7N6og31XjWylyCHiP8XdNK4y7dhChnCojyZImvCCGcJFeeJkF9bQmfNVJuJH9ii/s400/Jameil+Lawrence.JPG"/></a></div>Lawrence didn’t have to worry about his quarterbacking skills.
“I actually loved playing quarterback,” Lawrence said. “I loved being the leader of the team. A lot of the younger kids on the team looked up to me. I liked that everyone was listening to me. I took a lot of pride in it. If I was going to be a leader on the field, then I had to have good grades. I tell the younger guys that they had to work on getting good grades because that’s the only way they could keep playing.”
Lawrence is headed to Caldwell University to play sprint football (formerly known as lightweight football) with all the players on the field having to weigh 180 pounds or less. Lawrence will play for legendary coaches Jim Kelly (the head coach and formerly of Nutley and Queen of Peace) and Ken Trimmer, the long-time head coach at Caldwell High School.
Lawrence had to work hard on getting down to the 180-pound weight restriction.
“By the end of the season, I was up to 240 (pounds),” Lawrence said. “I knew what I was getting into and I knew I had to lose the weight.”
Lawrence likes to model himself like Devon Jackson, the successful QB of the Baltimore Ravens, who is a solid runner and passer. He will major in sports management at Caldwell with the hope of working for a professional sports franchise down the road.
“I’m really motivated to do well in college,” Lawrence said. “I’m fortunate enough to have friends as teammates there (at least seven players on the Cougars’ roster are Lincoln High graduates) and my family and friends can come to see me play.”
As for being the top student-athlete at Lincoln?
“It feels great,” Lawrence said. “I don’t even know what to say. It’s just amazing.”
Just like having a catchy nickname. Lincoln head coach Robert Hampton calls Lawrence, “the OAT,” in a take-off of the line used a lot these days to immortals like Tom Brady, who is called the GOAT, as in Greatest Of All Time. Lawrence is just the OAT, but it’s a name that fits just fine. Just pass the milk and sugar please.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-84870754300253835032021-07-09T10:55:00.004-07:002021-07-09T10:58:47.418-07:00The top Hudson County female scholar-athletes
About 10 years ago or so, the NJSIAA devised a great program to honor the top student-athletes in the state, to make people aware that there are high school students who excel in the classroom as well as their respective fields of play.
So here are the female profiles of some of the top student-athletes in Hudson County, a proud group that deserves to be recognized. Later this week, the boys take center stage. For now, it’s the girls.
<b>Michelle Carvajal, Memorial, soccer, volleyball, softball</b>
Carvajal was extremely surprised when she was informed that she was the Memorial recipient of the top scholar-athlete.
“It was never a goal of mine, but I know I worked very hard in school,” Carvajal said. “I’m glad my hard work paid off. I love school. I love learning.”
Although Carvajal was a solid soccer and volleyball player, her heart was always on the softball diamond.
“Softball is definitely my favorite,” Carvajal said. “I like being challenged and I like to give the wisdom I’ve learned to the younger players. I think it’s some of the things about me that people don’t know about.”
Carvajal carried a 3.8 grade point average in high school. She has recently given a verbal commitment to New Jersey City University to play softball. Carvajal will major in education, but she’s unsure of what grade level she wishes to pursue.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffk3mE4vn0Cyvh8Ydr-WZtimmFqvOGsN6v0NvsyfrpZKywslpeTTXYlaQYhJuKvSJ02QYTmLMb5k1cP7QFfwAcoiC7D_vW7UZvUnbu4UT0GC7j9nrQFxuOoKEae7I5wUsk-WshTmq33Gc/s1400/Carvajal.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffk3mE4vn0Cyvh8Ydr-WZtimmFqvOGsN6v0NvsyfrpZKywslpeTTXYlaQYhJuKvSJ02QYTmLMb5k1cP7QFfwAcoiC7D_vW7UZvUnbu4UT0GC7j9nrQFxuOoKEae7I5wUsk-WshTmq33Gc/s320/Carvajal.jpeg"/></a></div>Carvajal always had the dream of being a teacher.
“Ever since I was about five years old, I used to play school with my dolls,” Carvajal said. “I used to set up the dolls like it was a classroom and read books to them. But back then, I think I wanted to be a psychologist. But then I went to teaching. I know it’s something I’ll be really happy with.”
As for receiving the top scholar-athlete at Memorial?
“I’m very appreciative and thankful,” Carvajal said. “I’m also very humble. I don’t walk around with my head too high.”
But without question, there’s a sense of pride.
“It’s a great honor,” Carvajal said.
<b>Alejandra Bartutis, North Bergen, Volleyball, Track and Field</b>
Bartutis, headed to Rider University in the fall on a scholarship package, said that she always prioritized her schoolwork, almost more than she focused on the jumps for the powerful Bruin program.
“School and grades always came first in my life,” Bartutis said. “It’s what my Mom (Mily Yero) taught me. She said that I had to keep my grades up if I wanted to run track. I think that if you are great in the classroom that it transfers in what you do in life.”
Bartutis, who is one of the all-time best athletes in the history of North Bergen, standing out in volleyball and track and field. She was a powerful outside hitter on the volleyball team, but was a county champion in the long jump and triple jump and a four-time qualifier for the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. She will compete in track at Rider.
Born in Cuba and arrived in North Bergen at age seven, Bartutis learned at an early age the importance of good grades. She carried a 4.0 grade point average through high school
“There were times that I wanted to quit, but my mother wouldn’t let me,” Bartutis said. “She sacrificed a lot for me.”
Her father Castulo was a volleyball player during his day.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOLJNoUQv7J3uG7EYCltgD4VM3rYKXcqaMiLJ-yvAv-opIDrqOcbWz5H8HEveb369h3mSn7GO8AEBMk-HqCXL1eymv01ecxlmPllyU7BjhULr_wSQx2UzayszbESCL4N39hnWHbIVa4i_/s2048/Alejandra+Bartutis+better.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOLJNoUQv7J3uG7EYCltgD4VM3rYKXcqaMiLJ-yvAv-opIDrqOcbWz5H8HEveb369h3mSn7GO8AEBMk-HqCXL1eymv01ecxlmPllyU7BjhULr_wSQx2UzayszbESCL4N39hnWHbIVa4i_/s320/Alejandra+Bartutis+better.jpg"/></a></div>“But my grandfather was a big track person,” Bartutis said. “That helped. I think the jumping came because I first played basketball. It was just volleyball and basketball. I didn’t know the other jumping was a sport. When I found out jumping was a competition, I was going to make the most of it. When I first started, I thought that I wasn’t going to like it. But I stuck with it and when I first cleared 4-10, I was so happy. It was the greatest feeling ever.”
And as for being North Bergen’s top scholar-athlete?
“I know it’s something that makes my parents proud,” Bartutis said. “I also like to prove people wrong. There were some people who said I could never do this. When someone wants to talk to me about how high I jumped, I say, ‘Ask me about my GPA.’ When I tell them what it is, they all seem surprised. It’s really a great feeling.”
<b>Tashu Gupta, Bayonne, Tennis</b>
Tashu Gupta carried a 101.66 average on a scale of 100 being perfect. She said she started playing tennis with her father, Rohtash, in Bayonne’s Gregg County Park when she was in third grade. It was the beginning of a natural progression in the sport.
“It was nothing really serious until high school,” Gupta said. “My father would tell me that even if I lost, I was still learning. Honestly, losing is a lot more fun. You get a chance to reflect on the action, getting pushed to the limits by another person.”
In her high school career, Gupta climbed the ladder of success.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TcN2tGiRpExZgHzOBjAr9R2JMygXFcSjhETpMDREPjXUNMKqvMbNHDiks-utV8-KRbL31E8EFhcZgPE5LUlJdWuWtPgTy8meCaDP9ZpToSRDyV2SugXUQpUxMRb14aWHtXWEqX8WkhUK/s743/Tashu+Gupta.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="709" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TcN2tGiRpExZgHzOBjAr9R2JMygXFcSjhETpMDREPjXUNMKqvMbNHDiks-utV8-KRbL31E8EFhcZgPE5LUlJdWuWtPgTy8meCaDP9ZpToSRDyV2SugXUQpUxMRb14aWHtXWEqX8WkhUK/s320/Tashu+Gupta.jpeg"/></a></div>“I started off playing first doubles, then I moved up to third singles and this year first singles,” Gupta said. “Overall, it was an amazing time.”
Gupta is headed to Georgia Tech in the fall to study computer science. Unfortunately, her competitive tennis days are over.
“But I’ve already reached out through e-mail with other students who play tennis,” Gupta said.
A multi-faceted young woman, Gupta is also a first degree black belt in karate, was the captain of the Bayonne Math Team and the Robotics team. She said she is into coding, which fascinates her.
“I think getting this award puts everything in perspective,” Gupta said. “I never thought this could happen. I had no idea that there was such an honor and I was shocked that I could get it. Overall, it’s really a blessing and I’m very happy.”
<b>Zanai Jones, Hudson Catholic, Basketball</b>
Hudson County’s premier girls’ basketball player is also her school’s top student-athlete. Jones, the two-time Hudson County Player of the Year, is headed to Villanova in the fall. Nope, scratch that, she’s already on campus and has been since June 1, getting a head start on her education, much like she did while attending Hudson Catholic. Jones will bring as many as 66 credits with her to Villanova, credits she earned while attending Hudson Catholic’s advanced placement and honors classes.
“My grades were always important and always ahead of basketball,” Jones said. “My parents made that perfectly clear. I never struggled in the classroom, but it was implied that if I did, then there would be no more basketball. “
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgyUCmCG0eKcRI3DpNp7ZDXPttDF2RHQrMSVfIP1YEkAz1id9z7kIvEDmT9iHwaY44sRD3lCSkTqqEKfMVJn3VBFhqNJonM-sWud_mdplF1t3Uegi6e9BCDqwf3s9GLcDvBL-5Wc95XHW/s2048/Zanai+Jones.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgyUCmCG0eKcRI3DpNp7ZDXPttDF2RHQrMSVfIP1YEkAz1id9z7kIvEDmT9iHwaY44sRD3lCSkTqqEKfMVJn3VBFhqNJonM-sWud_mdplF1t3Uegi6e9BCDqwf3s9GLcDvBL-5Wc95XHW/s320/Zanai+Jones.JPG"/></a></div> Jones, who averaged close to 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals per contest, said that she actually enjoyed studying.
“It makes you feel good when you accomplish something,” Jones said. “Whether it was in practice or studying for a test, my hard work paid off. It was pretty hard, taking my basic classes as well as philosophy, theology and intro to business. But then I had music. When it came to history, I brought it all to modern music. I thought that would be good.”
Like Hudson Catholic teaching what Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote with his smash Broadway hit, “Hamilton.”
Jones said that she really isn’t into personal awards.
“Usually, things like personal accolades don’t get to me,” Jones said. “I wasn’t playing basketball in high school to get awards. But being recognized this way is incredible and I’m grateful and happy that I was selected. It’s nice for people to know that I’m not just a basketball player. I want to do some great things off the court as well.”
One of those was studying micro and macro economics at Villanova this summer. Sounds like light fare.
“I’m pretty good with numbers, but this is more about money and such,” Jones said.
Well, it does make the world go around, right Liza Minnelli?
Jones is undecided about her major at Villanova, but she’ll be a success whatever she chooses to do.
<b>Kassandra Jovellanos, Kearny
Cross country and track and field</b>
Jovellanos had already conquered the first mountain to climb. That’s because she is also the Kearny High School Class of 2021valedictorian. She will graduate this week with a 5.14 grade point average out of a 5.0 scale.
“My parents (mother Velinda and father Jerome) pushed me a lot,” said Jovellanos, who ran cross country and track for four years. “I have to give some credit to them. If I got an 89 on a test, they would tell me I could do better. They would say, ‘What’s this?’ I had bombed a few tests before.”
But obviously, not a lot of those times. Not to be No. 1 in the entire class.
And as for being the top student/athlete in a school the size of Kearny?
“I guess I’m really proud of it,” said Jovellanos, who was a fine sprinter for the Kardinals. “The fact that I was good enough to be considered is good enough for me. But it’s a really big honor. I had no idea there was such a thing (the NJSIAA Scholar/Athlete). Then, when I found out, I didn’t think I’d get chosen. In track, there was always someone who was faster and better. I guess I was expecting the worst. This way, you’re either right or pleasantly surprised.”
Jovellanos was then pleasantly surprised when she received word that she was getting the NJSIAA award.
“It’s kind of insane to know that I beat out so many people,” Jovellanos said. “We have more than 400 students in our senior class.”
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTmhmX_8I2ajdSfLOlehdQxnLwUXKe76tgCIzSf-u7-bS_9ZYqj9IjlIF7dDk9gXPjdHGzXQudDbwU17ctTR-u35ZGoM4FnwLWz6bZSaJZXUJqiZsGojjYvIVDTGfhA7QzNXEf6ep6sVi/s2048/Jovellanos.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTmhmX_8I2ajdSfLOlehdQxnLwUXKe76tgCIzSf-u7-bS_9ZYqj9IjlIF7dDk9gXPjdHGzXQudDbwU17ctTR-u35ZGoM4FnwLWz6bZSaJZXUJqiZsGojjYvIVDTGfhA7QzNXEf6ep6sVi/s320/Jovellanos.JPG"/></a></div>Jovellanos has only one regret – and it’s one that is shared by many athletes.
“We didn’t have an outdoor season last year and we had a chance to be very good,” Jovellanos said. “That really sucked.”
Jovellanos is headed to SUNY-Albany to study criminal justice. She hopes to work for the FBI in some capacity someday.
“I used to be into watching all those shows,” Jovellanos said. “I guess that’s what got me into it.
She was asked for a hint about her valedictory address.
“The future is never certain,” she said. “You have to live your life.”
Looks as if Jovellanos has already lived her life so far – with a lot more life left to go.
<b>Kayla Sullivan, St. Dominic Academy, Cross Country and Track and Field</b>
The county’s best female cross country performer is hanging up her running shoes – at least competitively.
Sullivan, who won the Hudson County Track Coaches Association cross country championship last October after three second place finishes, is headed to Rutgers University in New Brunswick with her 4.29 grade point average. She plans on majoring in early childhood education to hopefully someday become a kindergarten or first grade teacher. She will be part of Rutgers’ Fast Track program, fitting for someone like Sullivan, where she will achieve her Master’s degree and early childhood certification in a span of five years.
“My Mom is a Pre-K (pre-kindergarten) teacher,” Sullivan said. “I’ve wanted to become a teacher since I was six years old.”
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“I think all my hard work over the four years really paid off,” Sullivan said. “It definitely got me ready for college. Getting an award like this is really a confidence booster. I think a lot of what I’ve learned in running is applicable in academics. I take a lot of pride in getting this award.”
Sullivan thought that she could have a senior year to remember, which is what it turned out to be. The Blue Devils, led by Sullivan, went undefeated in meets in the fall and Sullivan won all seven of her races in New Jersey.
“I tried to set realistic goals,” Sullivan said. “I really grew up a lot since my freshman year. I’m proud of what I accomplished. They can never take those away from me.”
<b>Monday, we’ll feature the Hudson County boys who got their school’s honor.
<i></i></b>ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-28517362117852448182021-07-07T06:17:00.000-07:002021-07-07T06:17:04.199-07:00Hoboken pays tribute to dedicated son White<b>Gary White</b> was a dedicated soul to the Hoboken community, especially youngsters. A highly respected custodian in the Hoboken school system, White went on to become the first African-American president of the Hoboken School Employee Association.
But Gary was also a highly dedicated official, refereeing in three different sports, namely baseball, basketball and volleyball. Gary served as an official for more than 30 years.
During his time, Gary also spent countless hours, working with the youngsters of Hoboken, in particular those who regularly played basketball at the Fourth Street Park courts, including <b>Derrick Alston</b>, the current head coach of the Westchester Knicks of the NBA's G-League. Alston also spent a handful of years as a player in the NBA and had a lenghthy career as a professional overseas.
But Gary White was a constant at the Fourth Street Park basketball courts. It was his home away from home.
So it was only fitting that the powers-that-be in Hoboken would take the time to rename the courts as the Gary White Courts, in honor of the man who passed away last year.
Hoboken Mayor<b> Ravi Bhalla </b> presented White's widow, Christine, with a proclamation honoring the day.
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"It's a historic event, a celebration to make sure that Gary's legacy lives on," Bhalla said. "It's also a way to inform the people of Hoboken who he was and his incredible generosity to the community. He set an example for me as mayor. We're not here just because it's a nice thing to do. We're here in the spirit of Gary White. This is a day for all of us. It's proof that everyone in America is equal."
After Christine White was presented with the proclamation, the group moved over to the courts for the unveiling of the two plaques placed at the courts so that everyone can remember White.
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"It's just amazing," Christine White said. "It's a wonderful day. It's heartwarming, just heartwarming. I'm overwhelmed with the love here today. I can't find the words. I'm just so ecstatic about it, knowing Gary's name will live on here and will be remembered for years and years to come. It's definitely well deserved. It's just marvelous. He's here and will never be forgotten."
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Chubby James, one of the event's organizers, was moved to tears.
"I've known Gary all these years and you really couldn't ask for a better person," James said. "I'm just honored to be a part of all of this. Gary never really wanted any of the accolades or credit. He was happy being in the background. But this was nicely done by everyone in the community. On a scale of 1 to 100, I'd say it's 100."
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-32042952791431661982021-06-24T16:48:00.001-07:002021-06-24T16:56:58.446-07:00Prep's Morrone enjoys great end to track season<b>Joey Morrone</b> grew up in lower Manhattan and became introduced to the sport of track and field at a very young age.
"I guess I was about nine years old," said Morrone, the multi-talented St. Peter's Prep track standout. "My grandfather (<b>Ben Jefferson</b>) was very fast and ran track. He also played a lot of football, but he was my coach in track. He gave me a lot of support and motivation. He also helped to give me confidence."
Incredibly, the first event that Morrone became tied to had nothing to do with being one of New Jersey's top sprinters and hurdlers. In fact, it was far from it. When Morrone joined a club team in New York called the Chelsea Greyhounds, Morrone threw the shot put.
"It was everything to me back then," Morrone said. "I had some great coaches. I learned a lot through the years. I got a really strong base to the sport."
Morrone was also a fine football player, but then had to make a decision on which sport to concentrate on. Of course, Morrone chose track. His genes came shining through.
"I guess I was about 12 when I started to take it seriously," Morrone said. "I had a coach <b>Ron Guialdo</b>, who was a great hurdler in his day and his two sons are great hurdlers. I knew I could learn a lot from him. When I first started hurdling, I was a bit nervous, but I was also excited about it. For some reason back then, the hurdles always looked higher than what they were. I was nervous, but once I got to my first meet, I was fine. I learned how to handle my business on the track."
Morrone wasn't an instant success with the hurdles.
"In the beginning, it was a little difficult, because it was all new to me," Morrone said. "It took a little time."
As a freshman, Morrone had to overcome a serious torn hip flexor muscle that set him back a little.
"I made sure that when it was my time to compete, I was ready to go all out," Morrone said.
Morrone certainly went all out during the final few weeks of his high school career. At the NJSIAA Non-Public A championships two weeks ago, Morrone took home four medals, winninng the gold in both the 110-meter (14.42 seconds) and the 400-meter (54.66 seconds), while finishing second in the 200-meter dash (21.85 behind teammate <b>Fitzroy Ledgister</b> and second in the 400-meter run, giving the Marauders a much needed 36 team points in the pursuit of trying to knock off perennial state champion Christian Brothers Academy.
As it turned out, the Marauders fell just eight points shy of knocking off nationally-ranked powerhouse CBA, the closest the Marauders ever came to defeating CBA.
A week later, Morrone finished second overall in the 110-meter hurdles (14.32 seconds) and third in the 400-meter hurdles (52.93), completing a rare double for a hurdler at the Meet of Champions.
Morrone would have been a fine way to close out the weekly Athlete of the Week feature, but he's a fine example of how athletic prowess needs to be shaped and developed like a mound of clay on the spinner's wheel (check <b>Patrick Swayze</b> and <b>Demi Moore</b> in 'Ghost'). So Morrone earns the distinction of being the first-ever <b>Jim Hague Sports</b> <i>Athlete of the Week<i></i>, a tradition that will continue here on the blog when the scholastic season begins again in September.
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Morrone is headed to Sacred Heart University in Connecticut to continue his brilliant track and field career. It would not be a surprise whatsoever if Morrone continues his development and becomes either a decathlete or a heptathlete in the future.
Morrone is undecided about what course of study he will pursue, but more than likely in the business field or perhaps sports management.
"That's the direction I'd like to go," Morrone said. "It's a little weird that high school is almost over."
Morrone will compete at the East Coast regionals this weekend and will head to the NIKE/United States Track and Field High School Nationals in Eugene, Oregon next weekend.
"That's a historic place," Morrone said of the U.S. Nationals. "I'm excited to get a chance to go there."
Needless to say, Morrone collecting two golds and two silvers at the NJISAA state sectionals is more than impressive. In fact, it's awe inspiring.
"I was in four events and my thought was, 'Why not win them all?'" Morrone said. "I felt like I left my mark."
"It's a historical performance," Prep head coach <b>Chris Caulfield</b> said. "It's not easy to win one event in Non-Public A. But to win two and get second in the other two? It's just amazing. Incredibly, he wasn't 100 percent healthy going into the meet, but he made the most of it. I was confident that he could win both hurdles races."
Caulfield was asked how he thinks Morrone will be remembered.
"He's an absolute competitor and performer," Caulfield said. "That's in the truest sense of the word. He has a lot of talent, but there's also the mental side. Any time you can put then talent and the mental aspect together, it becomes a coach's dream. Joey competed time and time and time again. I'll say when you look at a kid like Joey, it's more than talent. He put in all the work and consistently stepped up to the plate when called upon. It's a legacy that will live on for sure."
Added Caulfield, "The legacy that he leaves is that he was ultra competitive and handled everything we asked of him."
And that's all a coach can ask for in an athlete. Make that a two-time gold medal winner in a state sectional, perhaps the most competitive sectional in the entire state. That's also not a bad legacy to leave.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-77566095982315689062020-10-04T18:53:00.002-07:002020-10-04T18:53:44.745-07:00Local football coaching legend Stephans diesWhen I was about 12 or so, I remember going to Jersey City State College football games at the old Jersey City Roosevelt Stadium with my friends to watch the great Gothic Knight teams of the early 1970s, teams that featured All-American players like current Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo at quarterback and Bruce Naszimento at running back. Later in life, Bruce became a dear close friend who I cherish.
Anyway, the head coach of those great JCSC teams was a man by the name of Jack Stephans, a Hoboken native who was schooled at the University of South Carolina and Boston University, a man who had an incredible coaching career with stops at places like Fordham University, William Paterson as well as JCSC.
It was with the Gothic Knights that Stephans had his best success. He led the Gothic Knights to two New Jersey Athletic Conference championships in an undefeated season in 1966 and then that fantastic year in 1972 with DiVincenzo and Naszimento. In his eight seasons at JCSC, Stephans posted an incredible 48-15 record. His last season at JCSC was his best, posting a 9-1 record, before heading off to William Paterson for three years (1975 through 1977), posting a 10-16-1 record with the Pioneers.
Incredibly during the days that he was at Jersey City State, he was also the head coach at St. Joseph’s Regional in Montvale. Yes, Jack did double duty, coaching the high school kids right after school, then racing to Jersey City to coach the college guys at night.
There’s a famous tale that said that Jack had to drive in a rental car from Montvale after a Green Knights’ game on Friday night to Buffalo in a snowstorm no less in order to coach the Gothic Knights the next morning at the famed War Memorial Stadium against Canisius. Jack didn’t particularly like to fly, so he drove up to Buffalo with two student/managers in an attempt to get there before kickoff. Now that’s dedication.
In 1979, Stephans made the bold step to take over the famed head coaching position at Fordham, the same place that produced Vince Lombardi and the famed “Seven Blocks of Granite.” One of those famed linemen of college football folklore was Ed Franco, a Jersey City legend who I had the pleasure of working with at P.S. 27 School in the Heights during my days coaching Biddy basketball for the Jersey City Department of Recreation. There I was every day with a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, talking about his days at Fordham. It was a joy to be around Ed Franco every day.
Stephans stayed at Fordham for two forgettable seasons and then bounced around New Jersey as an assistant football coach.
In the late 1990s, Stephans then took on one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career, deciding to become the defensive coordinator at Weehawken High School under head coach Mike Guasconi. It was a program that was floundering severely, but Stephans wanted to be involved.
In 2000, the unthinkable happened. The grandfather figure helped to lead Weehawken to a school-record eight wins, including a thrilling last-second win over New Milford in the opening round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group I state playoffs. It remains to this day as Weehawken’s lone victory in the state playoffs.
At that time, I remember approaching Jack to introduce myself and tell him how much I admired him and those great days watching the Gothic Knights. But Jack already knew who I was and he told me that he admired me. It was the beginning of a good friendship.
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Jack was soon inducted into the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame as deservedly so, for his days as both an athletes and a coach.
We lost Jack last week. He was 82 years old. His son, Jason, reported to me that his Dad passed on “peacefully and on his own terms.” The Stephans family, wife Judy and children, were by his side as he left us.
Jack Stephans is just another legend that we’ve lost in 2020. It’s just too sad for words. I’ll remember that gruff exterior that had a real soft heart deep inside. I’ll remember the gigantic mitts he had for hands and that a handshake could be crippling if one wasn’t paying attention.
And I’ll remember the way he talked about football, like it was the love of his life, the way Shakespeare and Hemingway wrote about love and nature. It was a joy to be around Jack and he will be missed by the hundreds of young men he touched, mentored and molded on the gridiron.
The late Jack Stephans will be waked Monday, Oct. 5 at the Becker Funeral Home in Westwood from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Our Lady of the Mother in Woodcliff Lake. Both locations are in Bergen County.
God bless Jack Stephans, a truly great man with great football mind and the ability to coach the sport he loved.
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-11047449450325826842020-10-01T07:29:00.001-07:002020-10-01T07:33:24.413-07:00Prep grieves for the losses of Terry and PattBelieve it or not, the greatest decision I ever made in my life came when I was perhaps five years old.
Thanksgiving morning was a special time in my home in Jersey City, filled with the early smells of the turkey filled with my father’s special recipe for stuffing that I still follow to the last morsel of black pepper to this very day.
And after the turkey was safely placed in the oven, my father would say to me, “C’mon James, we’re going for the rolls and rye bread.”
That meant a ride to Pechter’s Bakery in Harrison, where we would stand in line together and procure dinner rolls, rye bread for leftover sandwiches and perhaps a cheesecake for dessert.
And on the way home, we would stop at the old Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City to watch the St. Peter’s Prep-Dickinson traditional rivalry football game. My father, who worked for the Jersey City Department of Public Works, had a friend who would allow us to come in through a back door and stand on the sidelines.
While I was standing there, clutching my father’s hand like my young life depended upon it, I uttered the words that remained with me forever.
“Daddy, I’m going to go to St. Peter’s Prep,” I said.
That was more than 55 years ago. I remained steadfast to that promise, after my father’s death in 1971, through our family’s incredibly tough financial crises, through my grade school days at St. Paul’s of Greenville, where I started to wear suit jackets to school to prepare for wearing one at Prep, through all my closest St. Paul’s buddies going to other schools.
I wanted St. Peter’s Prep. I needed St. Peter’s Prep.
Sure enough, I graduated from Prep in 1979. I made close friends at Grand and Warren, many of whom I still remain very close to today (although I’m also fortunately close to many of my St. Paul’s comrades as well).
I am a man for others, as Prep professes. I have so much pride in my association with that school. It’s a huge part of who I am, in what I believe in, in what I’ve been taught to be. My association with St. Peter’s Prep is endless and steadfast and unwavering (well, most of the time) and rock solid.
So today, I am one of those men for others who has an immense sense of sadness and loss for two incredible women with whom I became very friendly with through my association with the Prep.
We lost Terry LaBruno two weeks ago at the way too young age of 63. Terry LaBruno was an amazing energetic and beautiful woman with a smile that could light up the sky. She was filled with this infectious energy that was just so admirable and endearing.
She had an amazing life, the wife of Joe, the mother of three incredibly beautiful daughters, one of whom is expecting their first grandchild. She was a former Hoboken Councilwoman, but more importantly, she was a teacher and a coach.
Terry taught math at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Hoboken and St. Mary’s in downtown Jersey City, two schools that are now defunct. Terry was also a basketball coach and carried that intense energy to the court. I had the pleasure to coach against Terry on three occasions and each ended with a hug instead of a handshake. I also had the pleasure to write about Terry’s players on several occasions with each interview ending with so much thanks that you would have thought I gave Terry two million dollars.
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The late Terry LaBruno
A decade ago, Terry brought her energy to Grand and Warren, continued to teach there and instantly became a favorite of the students. She was also a fixture at sporting events, especially football games, where she was clearly the loudest cheerer at Caven Point. You could hear Terry’s hoots and hollers all the way to Nutley. I know, because I’ve spent a lot of those games doing the public address announcing at the games. Terry was louder than me on the mike.
Terry and Joe were also very generous of their time and efforts in regards to Father Anthony Azzarto, S.J., who remains today 45 years after we first met as the single best gift I’ve ever attained from my association with St. Peter’s Prep, far more important than my diploma.
Terry and Joe would go pick up Father A at his new home at the Murry-Weigel Residence at Fordham University to bring him to events at the Prep or even places like Rutgers, when the Marauders played there.
Terry and Joe became attached at the hip to Father A and I always knew that Father A was in impeccable care.
About a month ago, Terry suffered an aneurysm and fell into a coma. Before she passed, some of her organs were harvested and donated, showing for one last time how incredibly generous she was. There’s no way to describe Terry’s passing other than an incredible tragedy. God didn’t need to call her home now, with the grandchild coming, with a new football season dawning. It’s beyond heart wrenching. I ache for her great family.
The other loss the Prep family is enduring this week is the loss of Patt Kachel. Patt died after a courageous battle with cancer in her recent home in Raleigh, North Carolina, but she was a Jersey City girl at heart.
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The late Patt Kachel (center) with son Brian (left) and daughter-in-law Shelby (right), on Brian and Shelby's wedding day
I became close friends with Patt and her late husband Butch in the late 1980s, when their son Jeff was a budding baseball star, playing for the Jersey City Recreation Stars of Tomorrow team run by the great Harvey Zucker and the incomparable Ed “Faa” Ford.
Jeff was a sweet swinging, slick fielding left-handed hitting first baseman who also pitched a little. He was full of life and an absolute joy to watch perform. Jeff then made the decision to attend St. Peter’s Prep and play baseball for Joe Urbanovich, a move that I wholeheartedly applauded.
Soon after Jeff arrived at Prep, he was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a long, tedious, often painful battle for the courageous teenager. There were days at Sloan Kettering where Jeff had to endure painful needles of medication that plunged his body temperature and caused him to shiver. I cried for hours after visits with Jeff.
But Jeff trudged on, wanting so much to return to the baseball fields that he loved.
Sure enough, Jeff did. He made it back to the field, much to the joy of Patt, Butchie and their younger son Brian.
But Jeff was not the same player he once was after being zapped of his strength by cancer. I tried to tell him that it was so remarkable that he even made it back to play, but Jeff was frustrated. He wanted to hit the way he once did. I spent a good hour trying to encourage Jeff and tell him how important it was to other cancer survivors to read about his struggles in my column, that others had to see how great it was that he was playing baseball again.
Jeff was in and out of the hospital for the rest of his young life and died tragically at the age of 19, a year after graduating from the Prep. I ached for Butchie and Patt and Brian. Jeff was such a wonderful kid with so much to offer. I loved talking to him and I certainly loved writing about him. I wrote a special Thanksgiving column about Jeff in 1988 and it hung over his bed in the hospital. He told Faa while touching the column, “This is my guy right here. He’s a Prep guy.”
I would stop into Butchie’s bar on Summit Avenue, the old Pete and Helen’s, which ironically was just torn down within the last few months, from time to time to say hello and have a beer. We would try to smile to talk about Jeff. We had some laughs.
And I remained close to Patt, seeing her at special events, especially after Urbanovich retired Jeff’s No. 11 and at the times where Prep would honor a student with the Jeffrey Kachel Memorial Award. Every single year, Pat wished me a Happy Birthday on Facebook, even after she moved to North Carolina to be close to Brian and his wife Shelby after Butchie’s passing 10 years ago.
Faa would always say that Patt Kachel looked like Carol Burnett and that drew laughs. But Patt was far more beautiful that the funny comedienne. Patt also had an electric smile that caught everyone’s attention. She was statuesque, standing close to 5-foot-10. She was such a tough Jersey City broad for enduring the death of her beloved son and her cherished husband. And now, she’s gone, leaving Brian and Shelby all alone.
Patt Kachel had a good life, but it ended way too soon, much like her son and husband, much like Terry LaBruno, much like so many other people that I’ve grown to know through my incredible endless association with the edifice that stands so proud at Grand and Warren.
I am a man for others. And like those others, I grieve tremendously for two of our own. God bless Terry and Patt.ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-24890054239564046692020-09-11T17:56:00.000-07:002020-09-11T17:56:08.992-07:00Prep's Hansen to step down as grid coach at season's end; will remain as AD<br />
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Before the 2020 high school football season officially begins Monday with full-fledged practices, veteran St. Peter’s Prep head coach <b>Rich Hansen</b> addressed his team Friday and officially told them all this would be his 33rd and final season as the head coach of the Marauders.<br />
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The 60-year-old Hansen, whose team won the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 state championship last December and were expected to be the favorites to repeat as state champions in a non-pandemic world this season, said that there were a number of factors involved with him retiring as head coach.<br />
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“I get asked by a lot of people every year,” said Hansen, whose 278 career coaching victories ranks first among Hudson County coaches for wins at one school and ranks second all-time behind North Bergen’s <b>Vince Ascolese</b> on Hudson County’s all-time coaching win list. “I just wanted to be fair to my team and fair to the current crop of eighth graders to announce it now.”<br />
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While Hansen will step down as the head football coach, he will continue on as the school’s athletic director.<br />
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“The AD’s job has become more demanding,” said Hansen, who is also the president of the North Jersey Super Football Conference, the largest league in the state that encompasses almost 150 football teams, as well as serving on a handful of different committees with the NJSIAA. “I’ve been putting in 14-hour days between coaching and administration and that’s just not healthy. I don’t want that to show in my performance in either position. Rather than doing it this way, I’ll make the announcement now when everyone is aware of what’s going on. It will give us time to plan and move on.”<br />
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Hansen said that the “condensed” season, as he called it, was the perfect time to step away and give someone else the opportunity to take over the program in 2021 with a full season.<br />
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Hansen said that there were some emotional losses that he had to endure over the last year, including the death of his mother, <b>Gail</b>, and the recent passing of close childhood friend, college teammate and former Hoboken High School head coach <b>Lou Taglieri</b>, that played a role in his decision to step down after the current season. <br />
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“I’ve lost a lot of people in the past year,” Hansen said. “The losses brought a sense of mortality into the situation. I’d rather leave one year too early as opposed to too late. I’ve spent 38 years overall at Prep and 33 years as head coach. I have to admit I’m a little bit tired and spent. I’ll be honest that it was taking a toll on me. Now I can concentrate on having just one job and not have to worry about doing all the things I’ve been doing.”<br />
Hansen said that he has taken a lot of pride in taking the Prep football program to historic heights, winning five NJSIAA state championships in easily the toughest section to win a state title in. <br />
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Hansen took over the program from his mentor <b>Gerry Bellotti</b> in 1986 and won state crowns in 1989, 1995, 2005, 2016 and last season. He has sent more than 100 players on to college football via scholarship and saw three of his players, <b>Will Hill, Jonathan Hilliman</b> and <b>Minkah Fitzpatrick</b>, move on to eventually play in to the National Football League.<br />
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“It’s hard to fathom where we are now compared to where we were when we started,” said Hansen, who was a standout player at St. Joseph of the Palisades and then played at both Jersey City State and St. Peter’s College during his playing days. “We’re now nationally ranked and have national prominence. It’s a tribute to the school and the players we’ve had. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”<br />
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<b>Veteran St. Peter's Prep head football coach Rich Hansen announced Friday that the 2020 season will be his 33rd and final season as the head coach of the Marauders. </b><br />
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The Marauders were 11-1 last season and defeated Don Bosco Prep, 21-14, last December at MetLife Stadium, to win the fifth state title in school’s history.<br />
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Hansen said that he likes the makeup of this year’s Marauder squad, which features returning starting All-State quarterback <b>Tahjamell Bullock,</b> who has already declared his intentions to attend Virginia Tech next fall.<br />
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Making the decision official now takes away all the mystery and intrigue about Hansen’s future.<br />
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“If this wasn’t a pandemic year, I still would have stepped down,” Hansen said. “I’ve been tossing it (the decision) around for a while now. I’m doing it now because I didn’t want to have all the questions to answer every week. It takes all the guess work away. I think the decision would have been the same. I just think the timing would have been a little different.”<br />
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The Marauders begin the 2020 season on Friday night, Oct. 2, playing at West Orange. The Marauders play their first home game on Saturday, Oct. 10, against Don Bosco Prep at Caven Point Cochrane Stadium at 1 p.m.<br />
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The Marauders’ final game of the season will be played on Thanksgiving morning at Seton Hall Prep with kickoff for the final game of Hansen’s coaching career slated for a 10:30 a.m. kickoff. It will mark the first time St. Peter’s will play on Thanksgiving Day since their Marauders’ traditional rivalry contest against Dickinson was ended in 1983.<br />
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“I said to the kids today that they will have the chance to be crowned state champs and that would be it,” Hansen said. “So they will have a lot to play for this year. Every day we play this year is a blessing and this will be a blessing. I think it’s going to be special to go out with this group of seniors.”<br />
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And as for making the decision official today?<br />
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“I feel like I’ve just had the elephant on my back removed,” Hansen said. “I have the memories I’ve made that are strong and the relationships I’ve made even stronger.”<br />
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There has been no word of a possible replacement for Hansen, but his son, <b>Rich Hansen, Jr.</b>, an assistant coach with his father for the last 15 years, has to be considered a candidate. It will obviously be a highly coveted position.<br />
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ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-65364767472729846262020-09-02T13:02:00.000-07:002020-09-02T13:02:07.639-07:00Former St. Peter's AD Stein recalls days with legendary Thompson<br />
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It was the early autumn of 1961 when they first met – this 6-foot-10 African-American chiseled Adonis from the Nation’s Capital and a 6-foot Caucasian from Connecticut. They were both freshmen at Providence College, prospective players on the Friars’ freshman basketball team.<br />
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Back then, freshmen were not permitted to play varsity sports, but if it was allowed, then the towering giant from Washington, D.C. certainly would have been a player of instant impact for the legendary coach <b>Joe Mullaney</b>. The kid from Waterbury had a better shot as a baseball player.<br />
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But <b>Bill Stein</b> vividly recalls the first time he laid eyes on <b>John Thompson</b>.<br />
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“I saw him walking around campus,” Stein said of his long-time friend, who passed away Sunday at the age of 78 after battling an assortment of medical problems. “I never really met him until we started practice.”<br />
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Little did Stein realize at the time that it would be the start of a close friendship that lasted six decades.<br />
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“I guess we became close because I passed him the ball all the time,” said Stein, now retired after a 30-year stint as the athletic director at St. Peter’s College, now St. Peter’s University. “We became very close then. They kept on the team because they saw the way John and I got along. I learned never to ask John a lot of questions. But we did a lot of things together, not just basketball.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocTU2vgRnl97SMuf4gtyGopIykL_VDykyl60Zsw7ciqaBQw4T3ibmY7mzOYLPBSG3qAuMfzmRMt8oxJ8sVnnAnKh-3suAffs5nsT7poJEVyjNu9ZD-JxYvZtghnwuaeK37KMX3ZEFRcxY/s1600/Bill+Stein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocTU2vgRnl97SMuf4gtyGopIykL_VDykyl60Zsw7ciqaBQw4T3ibmY7mzOYLPBSG3qAuMfzmRMt8oxJ8sVnnAnKh-3suAffs5nsT7poJEVyjNu9ZD-JxYvZtghnwuaeK37KMX3ZEFRcxY/s400/Bill+Stein.jpg" width="280" height="400" data-original-width="175" data-original-height="250" /></a></div>The two were teammates on the Providence team that won the 1963 National Invitation Tournament championship – Thompson, the star center of the Friars who averaged 18.9 points and 14.5 rebounds per contest and Stein a backup point guard.<br />
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Also on that team were Jersey City native <b>Vinnie Ernst</b>, who was the Most Valuable Player of the 1961 NIT also won by Providence, and <b>Ray Flynn</b>, the future mayor of Boston.<br />
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Thompson and Stein went their different ways after graduating from Providence in 1964 – Thompson went off to play for the Boston Celtics for two seasons as the legendary Hall of Famer <b>Bill Russell’s</b> backup, winning NBA titles both years, and Stein went become a coach at high schools in his native Connecticut.<br />
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“But I always stayed in touch with John,” Stein said. “We always kept in touch.”<br />
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After his playing days were done, Thompson would eventually go back to his native Washington, D.C. to become a high school coach at St. Anthony’s, while Stein became an assistant athletic director at Bryant College in Rhode Island.<br />
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In 1972, Thompson went up to Rhode Island to visit Stein at Bryant.<br />
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“We went to have lunch and he said to me, ‘Bill, I’m taking over the head coaching job at Georgetown,’” Stein said. “He said, ‘Do you want to come with me?’”<br />
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The year prior, Georgetown was 3-23. Stein was leaving a steady administrative job at Bryant to become an assistant coach with a program that won just three games.<br />
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“It was a little bit of a gamble,” Stein said. “But John said that if it didn’t work out, I could always go back to Connecticut to teach. And 3-23? I said, ‘John, we’ll do better than that.’ That’s how I got there. He just trusted me.”<br />
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Stein joined his friend at Georgetown for 10 years and was there as the Hoyas went from a mid-major Catholic school program on the East Coast to the NCAA Championship game in 1982, where the Hoyas fell to North Carolina on a last-second jumper from <b>Michael Jordan</b> in the New Orleans Superdome.<br />
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Of course, the ascent of the Big East Conference and the recruitment of <b>Patrick Ewing </b>helped the Hoyas tremendously. But Stein was involved with the recruiting of standout Georgetown players like <b>Reggie Williams, Eric “Sleepy” Floyd</b> and <b>David Wingate</b>.<br />
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Stein recalled the days of working alongside Thompson.<br />
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“He was fair,” Stein said. “He was very demanding, but he was very easy to work with if you worked your tail off. As long as you did what you were supposed to do, that was fine. John ran practice. If you had a question or suggestion, you didn’t do it on the floor during practice. You did it in the office beforehand. But we didn’t have any problems working together.”<br />
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And as for Thompson’s image of being a stern, strict disciplinarian, almost a taskmaster?<br />
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“If a kid messed up, he’d be the one to deal with it,” Stein said. “He knew how to deal with people. If someone messed up, then he would have to be at practice the next day at 5 a.m. If someone came into practice late or not ready to practice, then they just sat there and watched and he dealt with the kid after practice.”<br />
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Stein said that he had no idea that Georgetown would emerge as a frontrunner of the college basketball fabric as it would eventually become.<br />
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“We had no clue whatsoever,” Stein said. “The recruiting part was hard, because there was a lot of negative recruiting, with people telling kids that you shouldn’t want to play for a black coach. There were people going after John. We couldn’t make mistakes.”<br />
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In terms of recruiting, Thompson used to tell Stein to sit away from him.<br />
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“If we went to a high school game, we didn’t sit together,” Stein said. “We would separate when we got into the gym, so we could get different opinions on kids. We didn’t want to influence each other’s opinions.”<br />
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Of course, the recruiting game changed when Thompson secured the services of Ewing, one of the all-time greats in college basketball history, who led the Hoyas to three NCAA Finals appearances and the 1984 NCAA title.<br />
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“Patrick was the key,” Stein said of the current Georgetown coach and former Knick superstar. “He got us a chance to win every year.”<br />
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But after the 1982 season, Stein left Georgetown for Jersey City and the job as the St. Peter’s College athletic director. It was there that I had the chance to work with Stein for five years when I was the Sports Information Director.<br />
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“I felt bad that I was leaving, but I felt it was time,” Stein said. “I made up my mind that I didn’t want to travel anymore. My kids were getting bigger and wanted to stay close to home. The travel was brutal. When I got there, the cupboard was bare. When I left, the cupboard was full.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N8I2Kh8ArKgC5ImiyCpWLN1ZS2w49_ZguwBoEDz1-ySicNsHohksJL3ucEzCbuuVGZkMxIzykBf4eD39XE6axxq5-wGufRLOqSA_K5IT13hA-NceCKByIzHUdJCgWJ25Jl8VweqCJojg/s1600/1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N8I2Kh8ArKgC5ImiyCpWLN1ZS2w49_ZguwBoEDz1-ySicNsHohksJL3ucEzCbuuVGZkMxIzykBf4eD39XE6axxq5-wGufRLOqSA_K5IT13hA-NceCKByIzHUdJCgWJ25Jl8VweqCJojg/s400/1988.jpg" width="400" height="221" data-original-width="800" data-original-height="441" /></a></div><br />
The 1988 United States Olympic men's basketball team with Bill Stein (front row, second from left) and John Thompson (back row, second from right).<br />
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In 1998, Thompson asked Stein to be part of the coaching staff for the United States Olympic men’s basketball team that competed in the Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Stein traveled with Team USA all over the globe that year.<br />
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Even though the two were at separate schools, Stein kept in constant contact with his old friend.<br />
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“We would spend a lot of time on the phone,” Stein said. “We spoke all the time.”<br />
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The last time the two friends spoke was three weeks ago.<br />
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“We were talking about Providence College and guys we went to school with,” Stein said. “I hadn’t heard that he was sick. John was very private. Even if he was sick, he wouldn’t tell me anything. I didn’t ask questions.”<br />
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Stein was asked how he would remember his legendary friend.<br />
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“He was a great coach, a great person and a special friend,” Stein said. “He was extremely loyal. You can see how well he took care of me.”<br />
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-56785871684354358062020-08-27T07:52:00.000-07:002020-08-27T07:52:35.835-07:00Renaming Hoboken's JFK Stadium as Louis M. Taglieri, Jr. Stadium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAYzXjr_eUyWvkRQ9nV-VZ7hd2nodbk_-6BGLtHLPXF7evakg1VuAK6QvQZOokN_ksgYNMPmG2QvEhTGdX_e7eXWhfvsr2fF-dmXg-6F_ChtWWG54fTT5aqL_gahDwLtTxrPJ3qwp2MyJ/s1600/Taglieri+father+and+son.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAYzXjr_eUyWvkRQ9nV-VZ7hd2nodbk_-6BGLtHLPXF7evakg1VuAK6QvQZOokN_ksgYNMPmG2QvEhTGdX_e7eXWhfvsr2fF-dmXg-6F_ChtWWG54fTT5aqL_gahDwLtTxrPJ3qwp2MyJ/s400/Taglieri+father+and+son.jpg" width="320" height="400" data-original-width="1209" data-original-height="1511" /></a></div><br />
Anyone who knew my friend Louie Taglieri knew that he adored two people outside of his family, namely Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and John F. Kennedy.<br />
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In fact, Lou’s adoration for JFK went as far as to have photos of JFK hanging in his home and his office.<br />
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It’s something that didn’t get by Hoboken Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson, who in her tenure as the Hoboken schools chief got to know Taglieri and love him like everyone else who knew him, including yours truly.<br />
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“Lou became one of my dearest friends,” Johnson said of Taglieri, who died tragically only two weeks ago while vacationing with his family in Virginia Beach. “He welcomed me to Hoboken with open arms. When I first met him, we connected right away. It felt like we knew each other for years. He was the kind of guy who never missed a holiday or a birthday. He would call and say, ‘How are you doing? How are you holding up?’”<br />
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Johnson said that she could relate well to Taglieri, the long-time Hoboken football coach, because she was a former athlete herself, having been a 1,000-point scorer in basketball, as well as a volleyball and softball player at North Arlington High School as Christine Morrison.<br />
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When Taglieri died, Johnson wanted to do something spectacular to honor Taglieri’s memory.<br />
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“I said that we had to do something to honor him,” Johnson said. “We had to do something to make his wife (Gabriela) and his children (Trey, Taylar and Shayne) proud.”<br />
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So Johnson called Hoboken Board of Education President Sharyn Angley and Vice-President Tom Klutfel to inform them of her idea – to rename JFK Stadium in Hoboken as the Louis M. Taglieri, Jr. Stadium and Veterans Field.<br />
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“JFK was Lou’s hero,” said Johnson, who also knew of movements on social media to have the stadium renamed in honor of Taglieri. “I thought to myself that this was perfect. I thought of how Lou loved JFK and how Lou impacted the lives of so many kids. There was a connection between Lou and JFK. With no disrespect to JFK and his legacy, Lou had such an impact on the faculty, the students. He had such a love for Hoboken. Let’s honor Lou genuinely right now.”<br />
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So on Tuesday night, Johnson introduced the idea to rename the stadium after our beloved friend. The rest of the Board of Education agreed and sometime very soon, there will be an official ceremony to permanently honor Taglieri with the renaming of the stadium after Louie.<br />
“I talked to Gabby and I told her that we’re doing it,” Johnson said. “She said that she wanted to have it when there will be no limitations on the use of the stadium, because she didn’t want to see kids moved from playing there. I’ll take her cue for the best time for it.”<br />
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Johnson spoke of Taglieri’s importance to the district, not just as a coach, but as a mentor.<br />
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“I gained so much respect for him watching what he did for kids,” Johnson said of the 59-year-old Taglieri. “He was the most loyal guy. He was Hoboken. He worked so hard finding his boys a home in college. He had the opportunity to mentor kids and change kids’ lives. That’s the kind of person you want to be more like.”<br />
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So wholeheartedly agree. Louie was someone who I always loved and admired through our 40-plus years of friendship. We will all miss him terribly, but at least we will have a great way to remember him every time Hoboken enjoys another version of “Friday Night Lights.”<br />
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-63374647945252586802020-08-15T15:07:00.000-07:002020-08-16T15:36:58.788-07:00Remembering "Coach Tags": Louis M. Taglieri, 1961-2020It was the summer of 2011 when Hoboken’s most famous resident was introduced to Hoboken’s favorite native son. Well, at least one who didn’t sing for a living, that is.<br />
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That summer, the National Football League was embroiled in an owner’s lockout, which was basically the NFL’s way of keeping the league’s players out of entering the respective team facilities until a new collective bargaining agreement was reached.<br />
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So it meant that if the New York Giants wanted to hold impromptu workouts, they had to do it on their own at a location that was not owned by the league.<br />
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<b>Eli Manning</b>, the celebrated Giants’ quarterback, knew that his team had a good chance of contending for another Super Bowl championship like they won three years prior.<br />
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So Manning wanted to hold unofficial workout sessions with his receivers, but needed a site to hold these passing and route running drills. Manning thought it would be logistically feasible to hold such workouts in his adopted hometown of Hoboken, where at the time Manning resided with his growing family.<br />
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Manning made one phone call – to the Hoboken High School head football coach <b>Lou Taglieri</b>.<br />
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“I got in touch with Coach Tag,” Manning said. “I told him that we had a number of guys who wanted to come use the field in Hoboken (namely JFK Stadium).”<br />
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That’s all it took, just the one phone call to establish a relationship that remained strong over the last nine years.<br />
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“Coach Tag was so helpful to us,” Manning said. “He didn’t tell anyone at all. We were able to come in and get our work done. I just remember how excited he was that we came and worked out at Hoboken High. I think it was so important that he told no one, that we were able to come in and get our work done. We were there for business. We weren’t joking around. We had work to do.”<br />
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Manning spent the better part of the summer months throwing to receivers <b>Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Victor Cruz</b>, <b>Domenik Hixon, Jerrel Jernigan </b>and tight ends <b>Kevin Boss and Bear Pascoe</b>.<br />
<br />
“If anyone knew, there would have been a lot of media there and it would have been a distraction,” Manning said. “Coach Tag made sure that no one came in to bother us. To his credit, he didn’t tell anyone. He was adamant about keeping it quiet. He knew we wanted to get our work in and get out. We signed a few autographs or so, but mostly, we weren’t bothered. Coach Tag saw to that.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTrD8JWQCm4g4tUWBI3gsShc-BgFWZFWMWNwJQ_faQuD1jXy7GT-uWT0NjuPU1VMtoLWZH5FsCq80Yjam8nysfpqNWhwZU2xgWdCoCeN2MNX9M1QfqL_K44P3hW8y7jWLfVxXNlsye7X2/s1600/Tags+1A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTrD8JWQCm4g4tUWBI3gsShc-BgFWZFWMWNwJQ_faQuD1jXy7GT-uWT0NjuPU1VMtoLWZH5FsCq80Yjam8nysfpqNWhwZU2xgWdCoCeN2MNX9M1QfqL_K44P3hW8y7jWLfVxXNlsye7X2/s400/Tags+1A.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><br />
The sessions became especially very beneficial to Cruz, the Paterson native who was looking to earn a permanent spot on the Giants’ roster. Cruz, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Massachusetts, became the Giants’ sensation that season, catching 82 passes for 1,536 yards (a new franchise record for receiving yardage) and nine touchdowns, complete with his patented salsa dances in the end zone.<br />
<br />
In the next-to-last regular season game that year, a Manning-to-Cruz TD pass against the rival Jets went for 99 yards (also a club and NFL record) and catapulted the Giants to a postseason to remember. But that record breaking season all started in the Hoboken heat in June and July.<br />
<br />
“Victor and I got on the same page from those workouts,” Manning said. “He started to learn about his routes and what he was supposed to do. That started his breakout season. A lot of that work all began in Hoboken.”<br />
<br />
So when Manning was informed about Coach Taglieri’s untimely and shocking passing Tuesday afternoon while vacationing with his family in Virginia Beach, Manning was deeply saddened like the thousands of others who loved and admired the man known in the Mile Square City as “Coach Tags.”<br />
<br />
“I was very sad to hear about the loss,” Manning said. “I couldn’t help but think about his family. He was a great man and a wonderful coach. He was so helpful to us over the years. We never had to use the field again after that one year, but he was willing to do anything for us. He loved the game of football.”<br />
<br />
Manning said that he remained in touch with Taglieri from time to time ever since the two became friends in 2011.<br />
<br />
“We made some donations to the Hoboken football program,” Manning said. “We did that a few times. I would keep up with how the Hoboken football team was doing, follow their seasons. We developed a bond between the two of us, a bond we had all these years. We stayed in touch, sending texts to each other. He was always willing to support us. I think he played a part in that (Super Bowl) championship that year. He played a big part.”<br />
<br />
Taglieri was just 59 years old when he passed away last Tuesday. He spent more than half of his life being involved in Hoboken football, first as a player, then as a dutiful assistant coach under <b>Ed Stinson</b> during the Red Wings’ glory days in the 1990s, then as the Red Wings’ head coach from 2005 through 2016, and finally as an assistant to current head coach <b>Keeon Walker</b> for the last three seasons.<br />
<br />
The news of Taglieri’s passing hit Stinson hard.<br />
<br />
“I was in shock,” said Stinson, who is currently the defensive coordinator at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange. “Just to hear something like that, happening so suddenly, brings back the group concept of football. The thought of family kicked in, our Red Wing family, the bonding that takes place. I thought of our good times and our not so good times. No matter what, Louie was a major part of it.”<br />
<br />
Stinson remembered that when he first took the head coaching job at Hoboken in 1977, he was taking over a program that didn’t win a single game the prior two seasons. But Stinson knew that if he was starting fresh, he needed an important ingredient – a quarterback. Stinson realized that the best quarterback in Hoboken was already attending Hudson Catholic.<br />
<br />
“I sat down with Louie’s parents and I told them that I needed to bring Louie home to Hoboken,” Stinson said. “We needed a leader. We needed a quarterback. What Louie did to rejuvenate the program was huge. Two years later, we were undefeated and three years later, we won the state championship in Giants Stadium. That championship season doesn’t take place without Louie making the commitment to come back home to Hoboken.”<br />
<br />
After graduating from Hoboken High School, Taglieri moved on to play football at St. Peter’s College with childhood friend <b>Rich Hansen</b>.<br />
<br />
“When we were kids, we used to play football in the streets and later pick-up football in 10th Street Park (in Hoboken),” said Hansen, now the highly successful and long-time coach and athletic director at St. Peter’s Prep, currently the No. 1-ranked program in New Jersey. “We would also play at Maxwell House, but we were usually on opposite sides. Then, we both go to St. Peter’s (College) and we become teammates and close friends. Incredibly, we always talked about coaching together.”<br />
<br />
That happened briefly, when both Taglieri and Hansen were part of <b>Ed Agresta’s</b> coaching staff at Hudson Catholic in 1981. Soon after, Hansen joined forces with his high school coach <b>Gerry Bellotti</b> at St. Peter’s Prep and Taglieri enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he had an extended stay and thought for a bit about making the military his career.<br />
<br />
But Taglieri eventually came home to Hoboken after a 10-year stint in the Air Force and took that military style and approach to coaching under his high school mentor Stinson. Those two were part of the Hoboken coaching staff that has now become legendary, as the Red Wings had a stint in the 1990s that will never be matched again in New Jersey high school football history.<br />
<br />
The Red Wings won five NJSIAA state sectional championships (1994 and 1995, then 1997 through 1999). In the process, they reeled off winning streaks of 29 games and 38 games. It meant that for a five-year stretch of the 1990s, the Red Wings were an astonishing 67-1, with the one loss coming in the 1996 state finals to Ramapo, led by All-Americans <b>Chris Simms</b> and <b>Greg Toal</b>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE0X_3qokmad32a_aXx0vxAA1xPZkFiE9TCGzRhVJLv5yBzPjWJZApYtgnqM04snoQs5L42OYFMIg5Y5rKOTZSrVqz81m9SDvAF8uRmjiVJU74q_zg7IDxWXxrJSJGNsu4nz_4t9CFfEl/s1600/Tags+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibE0X_3qokmad32a_aXx0vxAA1xPZkFiE9TCGzRhVJLv5yBzPjWJZApYtgnqM04snoQs5L42OYFMIg5Y5rKOTZSrVqz81m9SDvAF8uRmjiVJU74q_zg7IDxWXxrJSJGNsu4nz_4t9CFfEl/s400/Tags+1.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><br />
Walker played for the Red Wings during that span before heading off to have a fine career at Syracuse. He remembered fondly the relationship he established with Taglieri as an assistant coach.<br />
<br />
“Coach Tag and I had a great relationship back then,” Walker said. “We interacted with each other all the time. He was a great leader for us, with his military background. He was a little bit of a hard ass. He made sure to let you know what you did wrong, but a lot of us needed that. I think we all needed that, not just the guys and the athletes, but the girls as well. The girls all loved him. He would put his foot up your ass, but then turn around and give you a hug. He was that way with everybody. He’s a Hoboken guy.”<br />
<br />
<b>Wilber Valdez</b>, the current head coach at Union City, also recalled the intensity displayed by “Coach Tags” when Valdez was a standout player for the Red Wings.<br />
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“He was a player’s coach from the get-go,” Valdez said. “Like a true military guy, he hit the ground running. He was so cool and down-to-earth with us. He just exuded confidence.”<br />
<br />
Valdez said that he and his teammates were a little nervous going into the 1994 NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group III championship game against Sparta.<br />
<br />
“He said, ‘Guys, if you play your regular game, you should win by 40,” Valdez said. “He was close.”<br />
<br />
The final score was Hoboken 36, Sparta 6, giving the Red Wings their first state championship in 14 seasons.<br />
<br />
Valdez remembered a special side to Taglieri’s personality.<br />
<br />
“Our senior year, I remember Tag had a little white car,” Valdez said. “And Tag would give us the car. We would put the top down and just take off. We would ride around town with that car. He was always that kind of guy.”<br />
Taglieri remained as Stinson’s assistant and kept reminding Stinson about one promise Taglieri made a long time ago.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4iEAy7fvhpORWvQoIDjvCqSXzHfGeKisQpxUWpvVOlryfct4Cf1xjAvwT2YlvlqYiibcdMNUOHmq3tQg1Q4FJRMBY8kQ3KyZZNOoW5EqdU855PmlE5Wu0YvoFs8m9eqamC4jzQluIabw/s1600/Tags+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4iEAy7fvhpORWvQoIDjvCqSXzHfGeKisQpxUWpvVOlryfct4Cf1xjAvwT2YlvlqYiibcdMNUOHmq3tQg1Q4FJRMBY8kQ3KyZZNOoW5EqdU855PmlE5Wu0YvoFs8m9eqamC4jzQluIabw/s400/Tags+2.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ai5waRksnWjtmE6mGwefIuHtKzQGv8hEF9AbWY1Cw6TwB6bNtFP6X5QfCEZhIdldTWhX09U6j6UbbNg2e6vAnSqvLm0npuHVfRe-o2w6TzDxoAB4-SLtnUrhyI0qI2ra0Agt-sup8eP/s1600/Tags+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ai5waRksnWjtmE6mGwefIuHtKzQGv8hEF9AbWY1Cw6TwB6bNtFP6X5QfCEZhIdldTWhX09U6j6UbbNg2e6vAnSqvLm0npuHVfRe-o2w6TzDxoAB4-SLtnUrhyI0qI2ra0Agt-sup8eP/s400/Tags+3.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="864" data-original-height="648" /></a></div><br />
“He said, ‘If you go, I go,’” Stinson said of Taglieri’s decree.<br />
<br />
In 2005, Stinson decided it was time to move on and the legendary coach made one final recommendation.<br />
<br />
“When I was leaving, I recommended Louie to take over the program,” Stinson said.<br />
<br />
The Hoboken Board of Education wanted <b>Joe Rotondi</b> or <b>Chipper Benway</b> to take over, but both were already head coaches – Rotondi at Union Hill, Benway at Hudson Catholic – and were reluctant to give up their positions. The Board then turned to Taglieri.<br />
<br />
“He didn’t want to do it,” Stinson said. “He took it to continue the tradition. He did it for the program.”<br />
<br />
Taglieri did more than that. He won his first 23 games as a head coach, winning another state championship in 2005. Taglieri stayed on and won state titles in 2012, 2013 and 2015. When he left the head coaching position at Hoboken, Taglieri posted an incredible record of 95 wins and just 38 losses and four state titles in those 12 seasons.<br />
<br />
During that time, Taglieri met someone in the next door classroom at Brandt Middle School who would eventually become his wife for the last 15 years, namely <b>Gabriela Taglieri</b>.<br />
<br />
“We both had the same passion for helping students,” Gabriela said.<br />
<br />
She said that she fell in love with Lou from the cologne he lived in, namely Patchouli Essential Oil, an expensive, unique fragrance that became a part of Taglieri.<br />
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“That cologne would leave a trail wherever he went,” Gabriela said. “We gave my sister a couch set and she said that the couch smelled like Louis.”<br />
<br />
The two loved football together.<br />
<br />
“It’s what he loved to do,” Gabriela said. “He loved everything that it entailed. We would go over the plays together, the strategy. We would watch videos. Honestly, there was nothing like it.”<br />
<br />
Gabriela said that she became enthralled in Hudson County’s version of “Friday Night Lights,” namely home games at JFK Stadium on Friday nights.<br />
<br />
“My sister (<b>Victoria</b>) and I were at every game,” Gabriela Taglieri said. “I’d take her with us everywhere.”<br />
<br />
In fact, the Taglieris became a coaching tandem during Lou’s heyday as coach – with Lou as the head football coach and Gabriela as the head cheerleading coach.<br />
<br />
Lou and Gabriela have a son together, <b>Trey</b>, who just turned 13. Lou had two children, son <b>Shane</b> and daughter <b>Taylor</b>, from a previous relationship.<br />
<br />
Taglieri was all set to walk away from coaching in 2017, then thought about joining Stinson and new head coach Billy Fitzgerald at Seton Hall Prep. Finally, Taglieri agreed to remain with Walker as he took the head coaching position.<br />
<br />
“Coach Tag gave me my first chance as a coach,” Walker said. “When I was done playing, he said to me, ‘You can always come home.’ He also told me that there was no one else he wanted to coach our defensive backs. He was like the uncle or the big brother to me. He provided leadership for me. A lot of time we would just sit there and talk about life and football. It was priceless.”<br />
<br />
Taglieri’s passing has left a huge void in Hoboken.<br />
<br />
“It’s going to be difficult going to Hoboken from now on,” Valdez said. “If you don’t appreciate the time you have here, then this is it. It’s going to feel weird. I’d occasionally get that ‘Good Luck’ text. It’s a big loss for Hoboken.”<br />
<br />
“I’ve known him since second grade,” said long-time youth baseball umpire and basketball official <b>John Madigan</b>. “Our mothers became best friends. It was like we were all a big family all the time. He was like my older brother. He tried to get me to play football, but I wouldn’t do it. He used to call me ‘Psycho-Matic.’ He said he saw it once on a milk carton and thought of me. He was just a great, great man.”<br />
<br />
His colleagues loved working with him.<br />
<br />
“He was always in control,” said long-time Hoboken baseball and basketball coach <b>Buddy Matthews</b>. “He always said the right thing. We hung out a lot together. He was never critical, just made suggestions. When he made suggestions, you had to listen. I had a lot of respect for him. It’s an incredible loss. He made an incredible impact on so many people. He was a great coach and a great person. He will be missed on and off the field.”<br />
<br />
Opposing coaches were also friendly with Taglieri.<br />
<br />
“In 2009, we scored 32 points in the fourth quarter to beat Hoboken for the first time in 21 years,” said long-time Lincoln head coach <b>Robert Hampton</b>. “After the game, he came into our locker room and spoke to our kids. That showed me a lot of class. He told my team that they showed toughness, class and heart and that they were resilient. That meant a lot to me. In 2016, Hoboken beat us on a tipped pass that was caught (by <b>Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year Nyjon Freeman<i></i></b>) to win, 7-6. I was crying like a baby and Tags come over and hugged me to say it was going to be okay.<br />
<br />
Added Hampton, “For 15 years, all our games were hotly contested, but at the end of each game, Coach Tags and I respected each other and enjoyed the passion that our kids showed against each other. We had an emotional and good natured relationship that was forged by football and our commitment to teach the game the right and honorable way.”<br />
<br />
Taglieri enjoyed no relationship in football more than the one he shared with Hansen, as opponents, as teammates, as inseparable friends for life. They were once bouncers at several different Hoboken and Hudson County nightlife establishments and often worked as a pair together. Can you imagine causing trouble at a place like the old Good ‘N Plenty or the Down Under and had to deal with those two as they somehow escorted you to the door?<br />
<br />
“We always had a lot of fun,” Hansen said. “We talked a lot about what we wanted to do with our lives. We had a lot of great times together. He had a PhD in ball busting. We loved doing it to each other and loved laughing. I’d bust his chops and he’d bust mine. We go back and forth and then laugh about it. Louis had a lot of friends. I’m happy to say that I was one of them. I had a different level of friendship.<br />
<br />
Added Hansen, “He had a tough guy exterior and that might have overshadowed his great heart. His persona was one thing, but the genuine Louis was the one who truly loved people. He loved his family and his friends. I know he would be honestly proud of the mark he left. I feel so horrible for Gabby and his children. He always talked about one day us coaching together.”<br />
<br />
“He always wanted to help people,” Matthews said. “Whenever I talked to him, he always wanted to talk about someone else. He never wanted anything in return. He was always there to do something for somebody.”<br />
<br />
“He always spoke with such a positive approach in everything he did,” Hansen said. “I never heard him complain. And he had such great loyalty. He was a loyal dude. He was old school, a true blue friend. He was one of the guys I could truly count on. There are so many kids who owe a debt of gratitude to Louis.” <br />
<br />
“He tried to help as much as possible,” Valdez said. “Whenever he talked to a college coach, he would make sure to tell the coach about my players.”<br />
<br />
“He’s a legend,” Gabriela Taglieri said. “He touched so many people. He was just a complete loving and caring man. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone. And I saw him do that. He would help kids from other schools, from Memorial, North Bergen, Union City, Lincoln, it didn’t matter.<br />
<br />
Added Gabriela Taglieri, “What I found unbelievable was his way of speaking to adults, to boy or girl, woman or man. He could always comfort them and give them confidence. He gave people strength to go through tough lines. I used to watch in amazement the way he used to act. He had such a way with people. It was so remarkable. It was soothing and comforting in whatever situation it was in. He was also a wonderful story teller without putting his opinion into it. He had a way of getting to someone and helping them out by soothing them and listening to them.”<br />
<br />
“Every single holiday, he would call, text, send a message,” Hansen said. “With every achievement my kids got, I’d hear from him right away.”<br />
<br />
“He never forgot anyone’s birthday or anniversary,” Gabriela Taglieri said. “He would sit there with his phone and go through the list, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas or Happy Thanksgiving. He’d sit there with his phone for hours.”<br />
<br />
As for the two guys Louie chose to work with as an assistant coach?<br />
<br />
“You can’t replace someone like Coach Tag,” Walker said. “He was there for so many kids. He had a good relationship with so many kids, with so many coaches and universities. He was so proud of the kids he coached. He would say, ‘That’s one of my guys’ if they did something. I don’t think any of us would have become the people we are without Coach Tag. He provided us all with the mentorship we all needed.”<br />
<br />
“I’ll always remember the competitor he was,” Stinson said. “As a player, as a coach, he was relentless. He was that way in practice and in games, the same way. The way he trained was the way he played. And in a word, he was very loyal. He was loyal to me and to the program. He was the first relationship that I had to develop that way, from former player to a coach. He was the originator of that long line.”<br />
<br />
It was a line that includes people like Walker and Valdez and <b>Matt Gallo</b>, all current Hudson County head coaches.<br />
<br />
And there are people like <b>Sean Fallon, Chipper Benway, Joe Rotondi, Ivan Ramos, Tyrell Dortch, Isaac Holmes, Ravon Anderson</b> and <b>Carlos Perez</b>, who have served as assistant or head coaches at Hudson County schools, guys who became coaches after having once played for Stinson. There are more than likely more that escaped the mind while compiling this tribute.<br />
<br />
Louie Taglieri was the first Stinson protégé to carve a gigantic niche as a coach. If Taglieri had failed, perhaps the list wouldn’t be as long. He certainly opened the door for others.<br />
<br />
On a personal note, Louie was a very close and dear friend. We spoke regularly about anything and everything. He was constantly concerned about my health, always asking me about a doctor’s appointment and subsequent treatment. I wasn’t allowed to ask him about his health, just him about me.<br />
<br />
Right before the pandemic hit in March, I had to get a CAT scan of my head and brain. In typical Louie fashion, he got his chance to bust chops.<br />
<br />
“How’d it go?” Louie asked.<br />
<br />
“It was fine,” I said. “They found nothing.”<br />
<br />
“Well, we all knew that before you went in the tube, but what did they find?” Louie said.<br />
<br />
Good one, Louie, I said. I gave him a point for those who were keeping score at home.<br />
<br />
In 2007, I had ankle surgery a day before the Hoboken baseball team was going to Toms River to play in the NJSIAA Group I state championship game against Middlesex. I wanted to go to the game and felt like I could have gone, except that I couldn’t drive or walk.<br />
<br />
“Don’t worry,” Louie said. “I’ll come pick you up. I’ll drive and put you in the (wheel) chair and push you.”<br />
<br />
Now that’s what I call a friend.<br />
<br />
Lucky for both of us, the anesthesia from the surgery wore off and the real pain kicked in, so that eliminated any chance of me getting to see the Red Wings that day. But it showed, once again, how truly great of a friend Louie was to me.<br />
<br />
I made sure to get Louie a T-shirt from the NCAA Final Four every year, especially if and when his beloved North Carolina Tar Heels were involved. Every year I went to the Final Four, I made sure that Louie was on my list for souvenirs. He also received his share of Maguire University memorabilia after he heard the true story of Maguire.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTxrauc5p0zpGBJtkS2jmAiMwYMdEHugm7FtaGTMZxHUXoE_q0GUZfayJVP1XtOvYs1_VEsBh9MwKza3BM68Yw7cVqZ4ZuiitBZupTMIoVgW0i8qohbLKu4yN9sVWLYDwPV3-bZuXyA_d/s1600/Tags+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTxrauc5p0zpGBJtkS2jmAiMwYMdEHugm7FtaGTMZxHUXoE_q0GUZfayJVP1XtOvYs1_VEsBh9MwKza3BM68Yw7cVqZ4ZuiitBZupTMIoVgW0i8qohbLKu4yN9sVWLYDwPV3-bZuXyA_d/s400/Tags+3.jpg" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="864" data-original-height="648" /></a></div><br />
When I had the gastric sleeve surgery almost three years ago to the day, Louie somehow got my address from someone and made a surprise visit at my front door. It was a complete shock, a move that made me feel a little better. Plus, I got the chance to smell Louie, which was always a treat. I made sure I hugged him every time I saw him to take in what I called, “The Essence of Louie.”<br />
<br />
We all ache today, that deep visceral pain that simply will not go away, no matter how hard I try to dull it or mask it with an assortment of prescriptions or even alcohol. This was clearly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write. It took me three full days to do the interviews, to make sure I got the right quotes and set the right tone. I had to make sure I included his wonderful and beautiful wife Gabriela as part of it – and I’m very gracious and thankful that she took the time to talk to me Friday.<br />
<br />
Failla McKnight Memorial Home in Hoboken will handle the services. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 18, beginning at 2 PM and concluding at 8 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.<br />
<br />
I’ll close with this note about my friend Louie. In 2012, the Red Wings won their second state championship under Taglieri’s tenure as head coach. Like always, in each of the Hudson County-record setting 10 state championships, a parade was held to honor the Red Wings right down the center of Washington Street, complete with floats and the band and cheerleaders and balloons.<br />
<br />
Well, Louie wanted to bring Trey along for the experience, but for safety reasons, Taglieri was not allowed to bring Trey, by then already a tough-as-nails cancer survivor, on the main float with the players and the cheerleaders. It was believed to be too dangerous for Trey, then seven years old, on the float.<br />
<br />
Louie was told that they were going to hold the parade without Trey. In typical Lou Taglieri fashion, he was not going to have his son miss the festivities. By that point, Trey was really into his Hoboken football, just as much as he loved his Penn State football. Having Trey sit out the parade would have been a crushing blow to the entire Taglieri family.<br />
<br />
So what does Louie do? He puts his boy on his shoulders and marches with Trey the entire route of the parade. I will never forget the faces of both Taglieri men that day, father and son, creating a memory for a lifetime. So the coach wasn’t on the float, big deal. He was there with his son. That was the big deal – and it’s the image that will be seared into my brain forever and ever, when I think of my wonderful beloved friend, who we might have lost in person this week, but we will never ever lose him in spirit.<br />
<br />
And that’s the enduring memory we can all share about Coach Tags, my dear friend Louie. In perhaps the biggest understatement I’ll ever write, you will be missed, my friend. You most certainly will be missed.<br />
<br />
My love and my heartfelt condolences go out to Gabby, Shayne, Taylar and of course Trey Taglieri. Shayne is proud to say that he is a 14-year veteran of the United States Air Force in honor of his father. Louie also had a granddaughter named Kennedy, who is six months old. He was proud to be a grandfather and adored little Kennedy.ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-87019183290423076372020-08-02T14:40:00.002-07:002020-08-02T14:41:32.227-07:00The man simply known as Gibby: Gilbert Lewis, 1949-2020<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
phone call, which was more of a rarity in recent years compared to general
phone texts and Facebook messages, lasted for more than two hours two weeks ago.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
typical fashion, the range of topics during the conversation roamed all over
the place, from past experiences together to local sports figures to politics
to his baby brother’s untimely passing just a week prior to the call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
when the call ended, much like every other phone call in our nearly 40 years of
friendship did, two simple phrases were uttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
love you, Gilbert,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
love you too, James,” my friend said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
in the middle of the conversation, my beloved friend and former colleague <b>Gilbert Lewis</b>, known better by
thousands as simply by his nickname <b>“Gibby,”
</b>cracked a joke about three calls he received that day, the other two being
Jersey City basketball legends <b>Mike O’Koren</b>
and <b>Mike Rooney</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Rooney,
Hague and O’Koren, that’s like a Jersey City backdoor trifecta,” Gibby laughed,
referring to hitting a trifecta with a horse that you didn’t handicap to be
part of the ticket and still got lucky to win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately,
that was the last time I got the chance to speak with my long-time friend,
because we lost Gibby last week to cancer. He was 70.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The late Gibby Lewis (right) with fellow referee Buck Dabydeen</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gibby
is a one-name moniker in Hudson County sports circles. There was never a need
to utter the Lewis part. Gibby needed just one name, like Cher, Madonna and
Elvis. You said the name Gibby and everyone knew who you were talking about. It
seemed like everybody knew Gibby and most everyone loved him -- well,
considering what day of the week it was.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
everyone who knew Gibby had a Gibby story. Or two. Maybe even three. I had
several, but most of them are not for print.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
when Gibby told a story, it became an instant classic, an epic like “Gone with
the Wind.” There might not have ever been a better story teller alive. That’s
not saying he was telling untrue tales, because as a proud member of the United
States Marine Corps (Semper Fi, do or die), Gibby only spoke the truth, even if
you didn’t want to hear it. Much like <b>Jack
Nicholson</b> in “A Few Good Men” with his famous line, “you can’t handle the
truth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
Gibby telling a story was incredibly entertaining and without a doubt
hysterical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
could embellish a story and make that story last 20 minutes,” said O’Koren, who
became friendly with Gibby when O’Koren was playing basketball at Hudson
Catholic and became closer when O’Koren headed to Gibby’s beloved North
Carolina to play for the legendary <b>Dean
Smith</b> in 1977. “When Gibby told a story, all you could do was laugh your
ass off. He had an incredible sense of humor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
O’Koren was playing for the Tar Heels, Gibby made several sojourns to Chapel
Hill to watch O’Koren play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
brought a whole bunch of people with him over the years,” said O’Koren, who
became an All-American for the Tar Heels and led Carolina to the 1977 NCAA
Tournament championship game against Marquette and <b>Jimmy Boylan</b>, another long-time friend of Gibby’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gibby
got to know all the other players, the coaches,” O’Koren said. “And they all
liked him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before
Gibby even met O’Koren, he established himself as an outstanding athlete in
three sports. He played baseball, but he truly made his mark in basketball and
football at St. Joseph’s of the Palisades in West New York.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
was a great athlete,” said O’Koren, who played many a summer league basketball
game at St. Joseph’s School courts, a place known for its metal backboards and
metal nets. “He really could play basketball.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ed Finn</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
knew Gibby even longer than O’Koren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
knew him from growing up in St. Aedan’s,” said Finn, who said that he knew
Gibby for about 55 years. “I knew him forever.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finn,
who runs the <b>Dan Finn</b> Classic, the
top-level high school basketball tournament held every January at the Jersey
City Armory in memory of his late son, who was tragically killed when he was
struck by a car in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in 2004, called Gibby “my wild and crazy
friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
was as loose as a goose,” Finn said. “I never had a problem with Gibby. There
are people who you can call friends and then there are those who would go
through a wall for you. If I needed him, I guarantee he would come to my aid
right away. When Dan died, we asked Gibby to do the Prayer of the Faithful at
Dan’s funeral and he told me that it was the most difficult thing he ever did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Both
Gibby and Finn were respected basketball officials, as well as organizing the
Jersey City Recreation High School Basketball League for 20-plus years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
figured I must have officiated about 100 or so high school games together,”
said Finn, who worked with Gibby at several of my games when I was the head girls’
basketball coach at both the Academy of St. Aloysius and St. Aloysius High. “When
you put the summer league in, we must have worked over 1,000 together. Most
nights in the summer, we worked four or five games together every night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finn
has fond memories of Gibby with the whistle in his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
think Gibby had a passion for literally everything he did,” Finn said. “And he
was in charge. He had that drive and energy in everything he did. Gibby was one
of the best and if I was refereeing a top game, there was no one else I’d
rather work with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Steve Rubbinaccio</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">,
the Union City native and another highly respected basketball official, agrees
about Gibby’s talents as an official.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gibby
was the toughest on the outside and softest on the inside,” Rubbinaccio said. “If
you were his friend, you were a friend for life. If you were lucky enough to be
inside the circle with him as a basketball official, there was no one else you
wanted to work with. No one else you wanted to be in a war with.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gibby
was such a highly respected official that he was assigned to work the
Prime-Time Shootout game in Trenton in 2003 that featured both <b>LeBron James</b> and <b>Carmelo Anthony</b> in high school. Gibby also worked several high
profile NJSIAA state playoff games, as well as several Hudson County Tournament
championship games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ERkLENtNb3PnEGtJldUg8z0AV4svAaRBkdkjV7rcSSzvHNTU_Jq7DcOPdQOqtCdkCahP9dWy3ZmheO-qZqUAFqb29Yyy5bjKtB4iiJLvf4WNtGTaHIgG6VfjwH7HDyLMJmIZ-CHj7oyO/s1600/737539_332739386839661_1931928520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1051" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ERkLENtNb3PnEGtJldUg8z0AV4svAaRBkdkjV7rcSSzvHNTU_Jq7DcOPdQOqtCdkCahP9dWy3ZmheO-qZqUAFqb29Yyy5bjKtB4iiJLvf4WNtGTaHIgG6VfjwH7HDyLMJmIZ-CHj7oyO/s320/737539_332739386839661_1931928520_o.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The late Gibby Lewis (far left corner) officiating a game in Trenton that featured Lebron James in 2003.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gibby
was also the underclass (freshman and JV) assignor in Hudson County for several
years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
a good portion of his life, Gibby worked for the City of Jersey City, as a
supervisor in the Jersey City Department of Recreation and later the Department
of Parks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
a personal note, Gibby was assigned to work with me at P.S. 40 when I was in
charge of Jersey City Recreation’s Biddy Basketball program, coaching and
working with kids ages seven through 13. I never once had to ask Gibby for a
single thing in terms of assistance in coordinating as many as 600 kids in that
gym on a daily basis. He took the initiative almost daily offering instruction
and positive guidance. Never once did I have to instruct him what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Legendary
Naismith Hall of Fame coach <b>Bob Hurley</b>,
who was once the Department of Recreation director for a stint, also had a
long-time relationship with Gibby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
were life-long friends, going back to since we were teenagers,” Hurley said. “We
were contemporaries growing up. He was just a tremendous guy, a man’s man. He
was a terrific athlete, a guy who could play with anyone. He was a loyal friend
if you ever needed one. He loved my kids and was respectful to my wife. He was
always a complete gentleman to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
there was problem that Gibby had over the years, it is that he had struggles
with drugs and alcohol. Part of Gibby’s demons came from having to serve in the
Marines during the Vietnam War. It definitely played a major role in his demise
over the years, but he was clean and sober over the last nine years of his
life, something he was very proud of – much like the pride he had in being a
Marine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“His
course, his route to becoming a college official was impacted,” Hurley said. “I
think the demons took away from his potential. He battled it. He was never
going to be a ‘Yes’ man. But he was always true to who he was.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">St.
Peter’s Prep head football coach and athletic director <b>Rich Hansen</b> also enjoyed a close relationship with Gibby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Gibby
marched to his own beat,” Hansen said. “But if you were his friend, he had your
back for life. He was a fellow Blue Jay (both being St. Joseph athletes), so he
was close to my heart there. Professionally, he was always someone I could turn
to. If I asked him for something, he’d figure it out. There aren’t a lot of
people like that. If you were his friend, he had you covered for life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hansen
said that Gibby had a unique approach in everything he did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
had a doctorate in street smarts,” Hansen said. “He knew how to handle people,
how to talk to people. He found a way to get things done. He once said, ‘If you
want things done, Coach Hansen, you call a Marine.’ We had an honest, genuine
friendship. He took care of the people who he considered his friend.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of
which I considered myself to be one of thousands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“One
of the best things about Gibby is that you could not see him for a year or so,
but he’d pick things up like you were hanging out with him last night,” O’Koren
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gilbert
“Gibby” Lewis, USMC, leaves a wife, <b>Paula</b>,
a son, <b>Evan</b>, and two daughters, <b>Olivia</b> and <b>Charlotte</b>. There was no funeral service. He was already cremated.
There is talk of a Memorial Mass later this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For
now, we’re left to grieve, reflect, remember and pay tribute to truly one of a
kind, the one who put the “U” in unique, the one and only Gibby. Rest in peace,
my brother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-80884972421334934662020-07-20T15:21:00.002-07:002020-07-20T15:23:17.086-07:00Hoboken's Freeman named Male Athlete of the Year<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
safe to say that <b>Nyjon Freeman</b> was
simply destined for football greatness when he was a youngster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
honestly, it wasn’t at the first position that Freeman played in Pee-Wee
football in Hoboken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“When
I was seven years old, I was the center,” Freeman said. “Honestly, it was my
choice. No one knew what I was capable of.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
there was a pursuit drill at practice and Freeman had to run after the running
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
ran up the sidelines and caught the kid,” Freeman said. “The coaches all said,
‘Man, this kid is fast.’ So they told my Dad that they were moving me to
running back and I actually was crying. I didn’t want to do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon
after Freeman saw his position change, so did his attitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then
I started scoring touchdowns and the journey began,” Freeman said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By
the time Freeman was in eighth grade, the comparisons began with all the great
running backs in Hoboken history that had come before him, immortal names like <b>Dwayne Peterson</b>, <b>Ravon Anderson</b>, <b>Tyrell Dortch</b>
and the guy who would eventually coach Freeman at Hoboken High School <b>Keeon Walker</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
scored an astounding 44 touchdowns during his final season of Pop Warner youth
football when Freeman was in eighth grade. Instantly, Freeman was being tabbed
as the next Peterson or the next Dortch. Those things naturally happen when you
reach the end zone 44 times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Honestly,
it felt like every time I touched the ball, I scored,” Freeman said. “I just
got the ball and ran and ended up in the end zone. It just started to feel easy
for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure,
Freeman heard the comparisons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
knew all the names,” Freeman said. “It was an honor for me to be compared to
the greats. I just had to stay hungry and humble. I had to push myself to get
better and better.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BTcpeY1ba1aDRS1-3Kusf6H9h0IKl1JurM1fu4WJW40sKfEbc-wm76Yup-vWfhJYvdLZHT17ggYFFYaJ2-80qFNJEoFggF6UzcFBnhSUfwNOW1uXagsGvsG-a2_Lvbf0Cip2vBgxvB2B/s1600/Freeman+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BTcpeY1ba1aDRS1-3Kusf6H9h0IKl1JurM1fu4WJW40sKfEbc-wm76Yup-vWfhJYvdLZHT17ggYFFYaJ2-80qFNJEoFggF6UzcFBnhSUfwNOW1uXagsGvsG-a2_Lvbf0Cip2vBgxvB2B/s400/Freeman+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>From left, Hoboken head football coach Keeon Walker, Hudson County Male Athlete of the Year Nyjon Freeman, Jim Hague and Hoboken head boys' basketball coach Shaun Kolmer honor Freeman as he receives his 2019-2020 Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year award.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So
when Freeman arrived at Hoboken High a little more than three years ago, he
felt he was ready.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
had decent size,” Freeman said. “I was 5-foot-10 and weighed about 160
(pounds). I thought that I would get crushed when I got to high school, but
after the first time I got hit, I said, ‘I can do this.’ I was ready. I was
alright. Everyone was just a little bigger and stronger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
was also a fine basketball player. In fact, at a young age, Freeman preferred
basketball to football.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Basketball
was always my top sport,” Freeman said. “It’s really a lot of fun and dunking
is my favorite thing to do. I started dunking in eighth grade and I never
stopped.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hoboken
head boys’ basketball coach <b>Shaun Kolmer</b>
knew that Freeman had basketball talent as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
taught Nyjon in grammar school (Connors School in Hoboken) from second through
sixth grade,” Kolmer said. “And I told his father in fourth grade that I never
had a kid like Nyjon. I said then that he was going to be special. He did other
things like lead the class in exercises and demonstrated the games we were
trying to teach. He was always just a genuine athlete. And he was the only freshman
I ever had to start varsity.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
wanted to be the next <b>Kevin Durant</b>,
but he stopped growing before he hit an inch over six feet tall, a foot shorter
than the injured Brooklyn Nets star.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
grew up an Oklahoma City (Thunder) fan,” Freeman said. “Durant could dribble
and shoot over everyone. He can do everything. I wanted to be like him. I think
I was pretty good in both sports. I just became more successful in football and
chose football to be my path.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
had a decent freshman season playing varsity football as a freshman, but was
all set to make a huge splash as a sophomore. In fact, in his first game as a
sophomore in 2017 against Verona, Freeman motored for 287 yards and four
touchdowns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Walker,
the head football coach, knew that Freeman was on the precipice of immortality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A
lot of people took notice of him when he played youth football and scored a ton
of touchdowns,” Walker said. “I think we all knew right away that Nyjon was the
real deal. He had the potential to be something special. He was able to play at
such a high level right away. He could make plays anywhere we put him, at
running back, at slot receiver, at wing back. He was a glider who ran so
smooth. We saw what he could do, so we opened the offense up more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Incredibly,
Hoboken had run the Delaware Wing-T offensive set with all of the great running
backs in the past, guys like the aforementioned Peterson (who once scored an
incredible nine touchdowns in one game), Anderson, Dortch and Walker all got
their yards and TDs out of the Wing-T.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
just wanted to try to get Nyjon in open space more,” Walker said. “If we were
able to get him in space and make one or two guys miss, he was off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
midway through his sophomore year, Freeman hit a speed bump on that road to
immortality. Nope, make that a mountain of an obstacle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Walker
was on the sidelines when disaster struck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
wasn’t in direct line of sight,” Walker said. “At first, I didn’t notice what
happened. I thought maybe someone rolled into Nyjon and rolled over his knee.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
“At first, I didn’t feel anything,” Freeman said. “But once I fell to the
ground and saw my leg bent in a way it shouldn’t be bent, I knew it was
trouble. It was a sight I never wanted to see again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman’s
leg appeared to be dangling and hanging on by a thread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
tried to remain calm and I tried to remain positive,” Walker said. “But I knew
it was bad. In the back of my mind, I knew it was going to be tough to come
back from that. Watching the tape, I never saw anything that bad and that type
of injury. It was pretty gruesome.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even
Freeman couldn’t remain optimistic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
thought everything was over,” Freeman said. “I watched the play on Hudl (the
website that produces videos of all high school football games) and watched it
over and over, because I wanted to see how I got hurt. It looks like four
defenders fell on me and made my knee collapse.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
suffered one of the worst knee injuries ever recorded. He almost separated his
entire knee from its socket. He suffered a litany of ligament damages – “I tore
the ACL, the PCL, the MCL and the LCL, as well as the meniscus,” Freeman said –
and needed to undergo three reconstructive surgeries. The first ACL surgery didn’t
fully take, so the doctors in Christ Hospital had to do it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It
changed my life forever,” Freeman said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
thought that he would just sit out the basketball season and would be back in
time to play football in the fall of 2018 for his junior year, but that didn’t
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
was doing rehab five days a week for two hours a day,” Freeman said. “My range
of motion was the toughest thing I had to do to come back. Everything in that
leg was torn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was a lot for a 15-year-old kid to endure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>From left, Debra Jones, Freeman's grandmother, John Freeman of Wiz TV, Freeman's father, Freeman and Freeman's mother Terina Jones</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
was stressing every night,” Freeman said. “I would sometimes cry myself to
sleep. I wondered if I was ever going to be able to walk again.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If
there was one positive thing that happened with the horrific knee injury, it
was that Freeman’s grades improved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
being on the sidelines for nearly two full years nearly broke Freeman’s spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It
was really hard seeing my teammates fight for every play and I couldn’t do
anything to help them,” Freeman said. “I always wanted to remain positive, but
it was tough not being on the court or on the field. It broke my heart to see
my teammates lose.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
July of 2019, Freeman finally got the medical clearance to return to football practice,
but he could only do so wearing a heavy protective brace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It
took a little while, but I began to feel more comfortable wearing the brace,”
Freeman said. “That brought a lot of joy to me. I was growing and getting stronger.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Walker
remained positive that Freeman would have some sort of an impact on his
football team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
knew that he had the maturity level to be capable to return,” Walker said. “I
knew he was mature enough to handle it. One of my main concerns was whether his
body could handle it. He was still young when he suffered the injury. It wasn’t
like he was a fully grown man. But he showed signs that he could handle everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
knew that he couldn’t play football with the fear of getting hurt again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
tough playing football and still being hesitant,” Freeman said. “I couldn’t
worry about the knee and the brace. I just had to play. And when I played, I
felt good.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
had moments of brilliance last fall, rushing for 268 yards and scoring three
touchdowns against Cedar Grove and 185 yards in a game against Newark
Collegiate. He also had 100-yards plus in games against Verona and Weequahic.
All totaled, Freeman rushed for 1,296 yards and 11 touchdowns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
think he was just showing glimpses of what he could be,” Walker said. “I don’t
know if there was anyone else who could have been able to do what he did. I
always said that if he’s healthy, Nyjon could play with anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Incredibly,
Freeman tore ligaments in his shoulder during the Redwings’ loss to Weequahic
in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I playoffs that kept him out for
the first half of the basketball season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
when Freeman came back, he played with reckless abandon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
highlight reel play came against a very good Snyder team, when Freeman blocked
a shot on a player six inches taller than him and blocked it off the backboard.
Freeman then secured the rebound and took the ball the length of the floor for
a layup and a foul, subsequently making the free throw. It was one of the best single
plays ever made by a Hoboken basketball player.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Obviously,
football is his sport, but Nyjon was always able to jump to the moon,” Kolmer
said. “I think him being able to compete in football helped his confidence to
play basketball. I watched him practice every day and that play (against
Snyder) didn’t surprise me, because I saw it every day.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman
averaged 11 points and nine rebounds per game. He scored 17 points and grabbed
17 rebounds against county tournament finalist Marist, had 16 points against Union
City and had 12 points and 11 rebounds against Dickinson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
for his incredible comeback and his performance on the gridiron and the
hardwood, Freeman has been selected as the <b><i>Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year</i></b>
for 2019-2020. Freeman is the sixth Hoboken male athlete to receive the award since
fellow Hoboken grad <b>Jason Casessa</b>
garnered the first award in 1992. Freeman is the first Hoboken athlete to
receive the award since <b>Jason Blanks, Sr</b>.
was awarded in 2003 and ironically, Blanks and Freeman are cousins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
blessed,” Freeman said. “I thank the coaching staff for having the faith in me
and believing in me. It was hard. The gift I got from my Dad (<b>John Freeman</b>, who is the video giant
behind Wiz TV) was to remain positive and keep a smile on my face. Even on the
days that I was sad, I found a way to smile.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Freeman’s
coaches sing their athlete’s praises.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
was blessed to have him,” Kolmer said. “He’s a generational talent. Kids like
Nyjon Freeman don’t grow off trees. He’s just one of the nicest kids I ever
coached. Just recently, he sent me a text and said, ‘Coach, I hope all is well
with you and your family.’ That’s the kind of kid he is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
can I say?” Walker said. “He’s one of the best we’ve ever had. But through it
all, it was able to focus on doing his rehab and getting back on the field.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because
of the knee injury, Freeman did not receive any scholarship offers of note, so
he took the invitation to try to walk on at Rutgers University and has already
begun workouts with coach <b>Greg Schiano</b>
and the Scarlet Knights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
think he just needs to prove to everyone he can play at that level,” Walker
said. “But he’s capable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
think all the others are going to regret not recruiting me,” Freeman said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
all Nyjon Freeman has been through, who’s going to deny this kid?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">HUDSON COUNTY-JIM HAGUE SPORTS<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> MALE ATHLETES OF THE
YEAR<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1991-1992-Jason
Casessa, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hoboken</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1992-1993-Alex
Rodriguez, Secaucus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1993-1994-Eduardo
Gomez, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hoboken</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1995-1996-Rashard
Casey, Hoboken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1996-1997-Czar
Wiley, North <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bergen</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1997-1998-Koz
Perez, <st1:place w:st="on">North Bergen</st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1998-1999-Mike
Forcum, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hoboken</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1999-2000-Jonathan
Robinson, Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2001-2002-Bryan
<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Durango</st1:place></st1:state>,
Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2002-2003-Jason
Blanks, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hoboken</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2003-2004-Danny
Lopez, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Weehawken</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2004-2005-Mike
Brown, St. Peter’s Prep <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2005-2006-Garrett
Askew, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hudson</st1:place></st1:city>
Catholic <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2006-2007-Evan
Rodriguez, <st1:place w:st="on">North Bergen</st1:place> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2007-2008-Chris
Jones, Lincoln<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2008-2009-Michael
Kuzirian, Memorial<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2009-2010-Kevin
Innis, St. Peter’s Prep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2010-2011-Jose
Veras, Dickinson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2011-2012-Jason
Pineda, Weehawken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2012-2013-Damian
Corredor, Weehawken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2013-2014-Tyrik
Darby, Lincoln<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2014-2015-Corey
Caddle, St. Peter’s Prep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2015-2016-Royaal
Jones, Hudson Catholic<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2016-2017-Jorge
Portorreal, St. Peter’s Prep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2017-2018-Shayne
Simon, St. Peter’s Prep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2018-2019-Ayir
Asante, St. Peter’s Prep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2019-2020-Nyjon Freeman, Hoboken<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3130295505233547938.post-68198270927881837952020-07-17T19:31:00.001-07:002020-07-17T19:44:34.595-07:00Remembering the legacy of Prep legend Martorelli<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bill
Pelix vivdly recalls the first time he became very familiar with someone who
would later become one of his closest friends, namely Phil Martorelli.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
were playing in a baseball league,” Pelix said. “We had just finished eighth
grade. And I knew of Phil, because he was such a great player. The game starts.
It was a bright sunny Saturday morning. Phil was playing shortstop where he
always played. Someone hit a high pop-up, sky high. And as the ball was coming
down, it hits Phil right in the eye and breaks his glasses. We were all scared,
because we thought that Phil was hurt bad. In fact, the game was called off at
that point. That’s when I met most of the guys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pelix
soon learned that many of the players in that game some 60 years ago in Bogota
would end up with Pelix at St. Peter’s Prep, including the talented shortstop
who unfortunately took one off the face that Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
all became best friends,” Pelix said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
Pelix had a particularly strong relationship with Martorelli, who died earlier
this week after a long illness. Martorelli was believed to be 78 years old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Although
Martorelli didn’t catch that fateful pop fly as an eighth grader, he was
extremely more successful at Grand and Warren, eventually becoming one of the best
all-around athletes in Prep history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
was a standout halfback and safety for the Petreans on the football field,
leading St. Peter’s Prep to an undefeated state championship season in 1958.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many
people consider that Prep team was the best in the school’s history, featuring
legendary names like the late Lou Rettino, who went on to become the architect
of the Union High School program that was the best public school squad in New
Jersey in the 1970s and 80s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmg3VR_3c26zs3kbYhX7TrOauq1PKllppEb-63sedEKkVTAWmpl8MZR4IVcVHE0XEkl-UQQyftf2tS61-iHt8wlRoxVyS1ZC7K2U1yz3N5rF3PPNqodwa9q2s3plAeBSq__EtrxvDw2nbP/s1600/Martorelli+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmg3VR_3c26zs3kbYhX7TrOauq1PKllppEb-63sedEKkVTAWmpl8MZR4IVcVHE0XEkl-UQQyftf2tS61-iHt8wlRoxVyS1ZC7K2U1yz3N5rF3PPNqodwa9q2s3plAeBSq__EtrxvDw2nbP/s640/Martorelli+1.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
wasn’t the biggest guy in the world, standing 5-foot-8 and weighing about 180
pounds. But he was a dominant runner, running past and over opponents much
bigger than him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
had tremendous strength and speed,” said Rich Gronda, another close friend and
teammate on that fateful 1958 team. “He would take advantage of his size. He
was extremely tough. He was literally a man amongst boys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
is one of two Prep football players to earn two Tommy Myers trophies as the
Most Valuable Player in the Prep-Dickinson contest that was traditionally
played on Thanksgiving morning, before the rivalry was discontinued in 1981.
Tim Hawkes. Sr. was the other. Ironically, both Martorelli and Hawkes would go
on to the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
the Prep-Dickinson game of 1958, the Petreans won 27-7, thanks to the exploits
of Martorelli, who rushed for 177 yards and two long touchdowns of 61 and 25
yards. It was the second straight year that Martorelli garnered the Myers
Trophy, which was like the Hudson County equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
Martorelli rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his junior and senior
seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bob
Goger was the sports editor of the Petroc, the Prep student newspaper in 1958.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“When
Fr. (Raymond) York (S.J.) told me to be sports editor
on the Petroc, he said to me, ‘You got the easiest job on the paper...just follow
Martorelli season to season,’” Goger said. “And of course, Phil made for great
copy; he lit up the sports section and Prep trophy cases all year. But as
we know, the man’s true greatness was to shine for the next 60 years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">John Massaro was another friend and teammate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I recently shared
with Phil Martorelli some thoughts about sportsmanship I have also conveyed to
my grandkids,” Massaro said. “With all Phil's athletic successes, it was the
model he provided in his approach to the games of sports and life itself that
stand out in my mind today. Phil epitomizes the athlete and the person I
would want my grandchildren to be.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From left, Rev. Bob Reiser, S.J., former president of St. Peter's Prep, Rich Gronda '59, Rev. Joe Parkes, S.J. another former Prep president and the late Phil Martorelli</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60LsKmHNASNNstSAQglthhElT3YXqvhHSENpk-Fbm1z1aZmYcFDEV4DntoNwPtH9YsdLXhCyoK8kjc_cIC3ImdLM91VIjVbLz0AxgNYKNAkA2w_hQ9T-73zX8Vn3FlRlN3zJMQKsUecWm/s1600/Martorelli+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="599" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60LsKmHNASNNstSAQglthhElT3YXqvhHSENpk-Fbm1z1aZmYcFDEV4DntoNwPtH9YsdLXhCyoK8kjc_cIC3ImdLM91VIjVbLz0AxgNYKNAkA2w_hQ9T-73zX8Vn3FlRlN3zJMQKsUecWm/s400/Martorelli+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When
the legendary Bill Cochrane retired as the head coach of the Prep football team
in the early 1970s, Cochrane was asked to name the top 20 players that he ever
coached. Of course, Cochrane named Martorelli.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
was also a phenomenal baseball player, earning a spot on the Prep varsity for four
seasons. He was a power hitting infielder who batted better than .400 in each
of his three varsity seasons. He batted .455 as a junior with 27 RBI and hit an
astounding .560 as a senior with four home runs and 35 RBI. Martorelli was the
Hudson County batting champion each year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
was not only named to the All-State team in 1959, but he was also honored by
the Newark Star-Ledger as an All-Decade player for the 1950s for their Ledger’s
Team of the Century that was compiled by respected baseball journalist Bob
Behre in 2000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
went on to play baseball at Holy Cross, but an injury slowed his progress. He
went on to have a fine career in pharmaceutical sales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
was inducted into the St. Peter’s Prep Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 and he was
a key member of the 1958 Baseball Team and the aforementioned 1958 Football
Team that have also been inducted to the Prep Athletic Hall of Fame. He is the
only honoree to be selected as an individual and have a place on two inducted
teams, which is an amazing feat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
would say he embodied what a Christian man should be,” Pelix said. “I really thought
he would live forever. He had such an even keel to him. Nothing ever bothered
him. I don’t think anyone ever said a bad word about him. I don’t think Phil
ever said a bad word about anyone. He was just a great guy, a fantastic person.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
had a great personality,” Gronda said. “He was an amazing athlete.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Martorelli
fell ill in December and never fully recovered. His friends and teammates kept in
contact with him all the way to the end. Martorelli and his wife, Lorraine,
raised three children in Huntington Station, New York. His legacy will live on
forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="yiv9045169476xs1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">One
of Prep’s finest has left us with the remembrance of his enormous legacy,”
friend and teammate John Imperial said. “He was a gentleman, an athlete, a
scholar and a friend without enemy. I’m certain that Saint Peter rolled out the
red carpet for you. You represented him with distinction.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="yiv9045169476xs1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A
true man for others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="yiv9045169476xs1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="yiv9045169476xs1" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photos courtesy of Mark Wyville, another Prep grad, Class of '76</span></div>
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<br />ogsmarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13150285325159665100noreply@blogger.com1