It’s been a year to remember for legendary St. Anthony basketball coach Bob Hurley.
The long-time mentor of the Friars reached the pinnacle in August when he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., along with hoop greats like Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen.
Hurley has received countless awards and accolades from different sports groups and associations throughout the country. He approaches his 39th season as the head coach of the Friars with one of his best teams, currently ranked No. 2 in the entire nation, with a strong opportunity to reach the unbelievable 1,000-win plateau for his impeccable coaching career.
They are all incredible achievements indeed.
But last Tuesday, Hurley received one more honor – one that will last a lifetime, one right in his hometown of Jersey City.
The elected officials of Jersey City all gathered outside of St. Anthony High School Tuesday afternoon to announce that the portion of Eighth Street between Manila Drive and Marin Blvd., the area where St. Anthony High School has sat for ages, has been renamed “Bob Hurley Way.”
The students of the school all collected on the street near where the street sign was revealed right on the corner. Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy and most of his City Council were there for the presentation.
While the ceremony was about to begin, Hurley was handling his role as a dutiful grandfather, a role he embraces almost as much as he does being a coach, holding his infant grandson, Gabriel, while two other grandchildren, Sydney and Bobby Jr., were nearby.
Healy spoke of the reasons why Hurley should have a street named in his honor.
“He’s done so much for this city,” Healy said. “He’s a St. Anthony legend and a Jersey City legend. If it wasn’t for his passion, his knowledge, and his skill, there might not be a St. Anthony High School today. And it’s not just the basketball players who benefitted from his passion, but the thousands of others who have had the chance to go to St. Anthony High School.
Added Healy, “This school continues to thrive as an oasis for young people. They continue to get a great education here and go on to do great things with their lives.”
Healy handed Hurley a proclamation from the City Council, officially renaming the street in his honor.
“But you probably have about 55 of these already,” joked Healy.
Hurley once worked under Healy as the Director of Recreation for the city, before retiring almost two years ago.
Hurley, a native of Jersey City who has spent all 63 years of his life in his hometown, addressed that fact as he spoke.
“It’s particularly exciting for me, as someone who grew up in Jersey City,” said Hurley, a native of the city’s Greenville section who currently calls Downtown “home,” a few blocks away from his beloved St. Anthony.
“But growing up in Jersey City, they usually name streets and buildings after someone after they’re gone,” Hurley said. “I’m very glad that they’re not doing this posthumously.”
Hurley then joked with the students of St. Anthony, giving them the definition of “posthumously,” but most in attendance realized where the coach was coming from.
“It’s really a great honor, and I’m very proud,” Hurley said. “My Mom and Dad were from Jersey City, and they would be very proud if they were able to see this.”
Hurley said that it’s going to be a little strange, approaching the school he’s gone to thousands of times over the last four decades and then realizing it’s on a street named after him.
“It’s going to be a little different making the turn onto Eighth Street and taking a peek at the sign as I go by,” Hurley said. “The Hurley family is very honored by this.”
With that, current Friars Rashad Andrews and Jerome Frink climbed upon a 10-foot ladder to reveal the sign as it will read for now and forever as “Bob Hurley Sr. Way.”
It’s a fitting tribute to perhaps the most influential sports person in Jersey City history.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.