There’s an old saying that goes, “When one door closes, another opens.”
That seems to be very true for North Bergen’s Evan Rodriguez.
After getting arrested for the second time in the off-season, the last time for a scary DUI on Interstate 90 in Illinois, Rodriguez was released Monday by the team that drafted him in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears.
The Bears felt that Rodriguez, the former Hudson Reporter Male Athlete of the Year during his days at North Bergen High School, had worn out his welcome with the Bears, with whom Rodriguez had signed a multi-year contract after his selection. Rodriguez played in several games last season, catching four passes and developing a reputation as a solid blocker, but the Bears thought that the two indiscretions with the law was a black flag and sent him packing.
However, just like several other times in his career, Rodriguez was given a second chance in the NFL when the Miami Dolphins claimed him off waivers the day after he was cut by the Bears.
Tuesday, Rodriguez tweeted “So long, Chicago, it’s been fun. On to Miami.”
Rodriguez once again has been given a second chance in a lifetime of second chances. But this is the big time. Here’s hoping Rodriguez realizes that there aren’t many people who get second chances in professional football and he makes the most of this one…
The premier sporting goods store in Hudson County is giving back to the community it services.
The second annual Stan’s Sports Center Golf Outing will be held June 24 at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Colts Neck. There’s an 8:30 a.m. shotgun tee-off and all participants will be treated to breakfast, a BBQ lunch and beverages. The proceeds of the outing go to scholarships that Stan’s gives to local high schools and organizations.
Last year, more than $5,000 was given to schools like McNair Academic, Ferris, Union City and Hoboken, as well as the St. Michael’s CYO program in Union City.
“It’s a good thing,” said Stan’s Sports owner Dan DeCongelio. “We’ve been here a long time and this is our way of giving back.”
For more information about the outing, contact DeCongelio at (201) 798-4466…
The New Jersey Scholastic Baseball Coaches Association’s annual All-Star Classic will now be held Monday night at Diamond Nation in Flemington. The games were postponed from Thursday night because of the rain.
Several locals will participate in the game, including Ryan O’Connor and Anthony Pacillo of St. Peter’s Prep, Marco Hernandez and A.J. Gale of North Bergen and Jose Tavares of Union City. Sal Mendez of Weehawken was selected, but will not participate due to injury. Patrick Brady, the head coach at North Bergen, was selected to serve on the Northeast All-Stars coaching staff. We’ll have more on the All-Star classic next week…
After three highly successful seasons at Hudson Catholic, softball coach Tim O’Donnell, a two-time recipient of Hudson Reporter Coach of the Year honors at both County Prep and last year at Hudson Catholic, has decided to resign to spend more time with his family…
Former St. Dominic Academy girls’ basketball coach Reggie Quinn stepped down at SDA to become the new girls’ coach at Marist, replacing Alice DeFazio…
Speaking of DeFazio, the athletic director at New Jersey City University, her former boss and predecessor has been bestowed with a great honor.
Former NJCU athletic director Larry Schiner has been inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame.
Schiner, who served the school for more than 40 years, the last 30 as the athletic director, was among seven recipients at the Hall of Fame luncheon in Orlando, Florida last week…
St. Peter’s University has named Patty Coyle, the former head coach of the WNBA New York Liberty, as its new women’s basketball coach…
Former St. Anthony guard Travon Woodall has a workout with the Brooklyn Nets last week before the upcoming NBA Draft…
Congrats to two coaching legends who recently retired as teachers at McNair Academic. Sharon Felton, who coached volleyball at the school for over 30 years, and Mike Reilly, who coached basketball, baseball and tennis at the school, both announced their retirements from teaching. The two were pioneers in coaching at the school and did fabulous jobs…
Congrats also to P.S. 28’s science teacher Rob O’Donnell on the birth of his second son, Ethan, last week. Mom Maria is doing fine and their son Ryan now has a baby brother to play with. O’Donnell coaches a variety of teams at the school. When he was in grammar school, O’Donnell also had the misfortune of playing basketball on several teams coached by one very large Hudson County sportswriter and came away unscathed…–Jim Hague