Although he has been removed from his hometown roots for more than 30 years, Tom Hespos always recalls what it was like growing up in North Bergen.
“Growing up in North Bergen in those days was always a lot of fun,” Hespos said last week. “We were forever playing in some kind of game. There were so many leagues that North Bergen had to offer and everyone played in those leagues. But we were always doing something even without a ball.
Added Hespos, “I mean, we used to figure out games what to do with a clothespin and a broomstick. We had leagues with the broomstick. We even kept statistics. We used to play slow-motion tackle football in North Hudson [Braddock] Park. We used to run relay races up and down Broadway. It was terrific fun, a great time in my life.”
Hespos used that athletic background in his North Bergen youth to carve out a rich and storied career in athletics, first as a three-sport performer at St. Joseph of the Palisades High School in West New York, then as a football and baseball player at C.W. Post College on Long Island, and finally as a teacher and a coach for more than 30 years.
Last Thursday night, Hespos was rewarded for his great career by earning induction into the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. Hespos was among 18 greats who earned their place among the elite in the 13th annual Hall of Fame induction dinner, held this year for the first time at Casino in the Park in Jersey City.
Hespos first made his mark as a three-sport standout at St. Joseph of the Palisades High School in West New York, playing varsity football, basketball and baseball in 1960 and 1961. He earned All-Hudson County honors in football as a quarterback and linebacker and baseball as a pitcher/third baseman, playing for fellow Hall of Famer, the late Marty Seglio.
“I will always remember the coaches and the mentors I had back then, great people like Marty Seglio,” said Hespos. Seglio, who died in 2001, is honored still by having the Hall of Fame’s annual Community Service Award named in his memory. “The coaches I had at St. Joseph challenged me, motivated me and inspired me,” he said.
While in high school, Hespos also played for the North Bergen Bengals of the Build Better Boys Baseball League, leading North Bergen to the 4B league titles in 1961 and 1962, winning top pitcher in the league honors both years.
Upon graduation from St. Joseph, Hespos attended C.W. Post on Long Island, where he continued to play both baseball and football. Hespos eventually became the starting quarterback at C.W. Post in 1963 and went on to break all offensive and passing records at the school. He was a two-time Most Valuable Player at the school.
In 1964, Hespos was named to the Little All-America team and the All-East Coast Conference team as the quarterback. He later signed a professional contract with the Green Bay Packers, but was cut. Hespos then played one season with the Jersey City Jets in the professional Atlantic Coast Football League.
After his playing days were done, Hespos turned to coaching, where he became the head varsity football coach at North Shore High School (1974 through 1980), leading North Shore to three league titles and the Nassau County Conference title in 1975.
Hespos then became the head football coach at Hampton Bays High School for two years and was also the head baseball coach at Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson from 1977 through 1982 and led that team to four league championships and won the New York State Class A state championship in 1982.
Hespos retired from coaching in 1983 and after 32 years, retired from teaching in 1999. He still resides on Long Island with his wife and children.
“I feel very fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life,” Hespos said. “I always think of my classmates, my teammates and my friends. I was fortunate to have a mother and father who gave me direction and made sure I stayed the course. My brother Joe was the one who introduced me to sports and toughened me up. My two sisters were my cheerleaders. If I tried to think of one instance of someone who influenced me, I couldn’t do it. I came from an athletic family, so going into athletics was a natural fit.”
When giving his acceptance speech, Hespos was the most emotional of the 18 honorees.
“Athletics in North Bergen was the foundation of my enjoyment for the rest of my life,” Hespos said. “It started with those days in North Bergen and continued on until today. This night will be with me for the rest of my life.”