Sometimes it takes more than an annual dinner to commemorate 20 years of county sports glory.
The Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame unveiled a new “wall of fame” this past Tuesday in a dinner reception in Jersey City.
The wall, located within the County Plaza building on Cornelison Street, features all of the names of the inductees within the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame since its inception in 1991.
The Hall of Fame inductees include esteemed athletes such as World Boxing Champion James J. Braddock of North Bergen, former Jets quarterback Ray Lucas of Harrison, and Olympic gold and silver medal-winning sprinter Andy Stanfield of Jersey City.
“There are so many deserving people in Hudson County that we can keep this going forever and ever.” – Tom DeGise
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The organization did not induct any new honorees this year, instead focusing on the wall.
The reception dinner
The one-hour dinner and ceremony included past inductees and their families as well as elected officials from all over Hudson County.
“If there’s one thing Hudson County is known for even more than politics, it is its background and reputation in sports,” said Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise to the approximately 60 people in attendance.
Among the elected officials present were Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff, Mayor Al Santos of Kearny, and William O’Dea, Chairperson of the Hudson County Board of Freeholders.
“There are so many deserving people in Hudson County,” said DeGise, “that we can keep this going forever and ever.”
DeGise also added that a tangible commemoration such as a wall had been necessary for a long time.
DeGise then took time to announce each past inductee present at the reception, including basketball coach John Forenza of Gutenberg, track and field coach and official Leon Bailey from Jersey City, and Elnardo Webster, a former basketball star from Jersey City.
All of the names were met with generous applause from the other attendees.
“There are so many great athletes here,” said Freeholder Chairman O’Dea, while addressing the guests in his speech. “You’re something that our young people should know about.”
O’Dea continued, “We finally have a home where each and every one of your names will be remembered forever.”
The wall is unveiled
During the reception, former boxer “Irish” Pat Murphy – a native of West New York – expressed his gratitude regarding the wall.
“It’s an honor,” said Murphy, a 2008 inductee and member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. “[Hudson County] is where I grew up. It’s real nice to be honored where you live.”
Murphy is also known for having trained fellow North Bergen resident and boxer Danny McDermott.
Bailey also praised the wall.
“To me it says that people recognize what it is you were doing,” said Bailey, who was inducted in the class of 1999. “It’s a tremendous honor.”
He added, “It’s long overdue, and I want to see it increase. I want to see this improve and grow, so our youths can come here some day.”
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.