The first major college commitment from the local football class of 2013 has been made by St. Peter’s Prep speedy defensive back Tre Bell.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Bell announced last week that he will be taking his talents to Gainesville, Florida and will play for the Florida Gators in the fall of 2013.
Bell’s stock skyrocketed in recent weeks and was considering a host of offers, including Rutgers, Notre Dame, South Carolina and West Virginia.
The other schools were at a disadvantage, considering that Bell was always a fan of the Gators and that childhood friend and former Marauder standout Will Hill went there as well.
It’s perhaps the reason why Bell didn’t waste any time in making his decision known. There was no need to drag out the recruiting process. He was sold on becoming a Gator.
Bell is currently ranked as the No. 30 defensive back in the nation by one recruiting service. He made three interceptions last year for the Marauders and also caught 10 passes as a wide receiver, scoring one touchdown.
Bell is currently running spring track with the Marauders’ track program in order to remain in shape for football season…
Although Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino was fired last Tuesday because of his failure to properly report a motorcycle accident involving him and a female co-worker, North Bergen gridiron standout Vin Ascolese has decided to remain faithful to his commitment to the school and will head to Fayetteville in August to become part of the Razorbacks’ program, no matter who the new head coach will be.
“I’m not de-committing, don’t worry,” Ascolese said. “I signed with Arkansas, not only because of the coach, but because how great the fans are and the incredible atmosphere there. I’m committed to Arkansas.”
It’s good to see that kind of loyalty, because a lot of other kids might have bailed, considering the unfortunate circumstances…
The Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner will take place Thursday, May 17 at the Casino-in-the-Park in Jersey City.
The induction class includes former NFL players Walker Lee Ashley (Snyder), Danan Hughes (Bayonne) and Frank Winters (Emerson), as well as former MLB player Willie Banks (St. Anthony) and former WNBA basketball standout Adrienne Goodson (Bayonne). It’s perhaps the greatest compilation of former professional athletes since the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1991.
Ashley had a fine career as a linebacker with the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs, Hughes was a fine receiver for the Chiefs and the New Orleans Saints and Winters was an All-Pro center for the Green Bay Packers, helping the Packers win the Super Bowl.
Banks pitched for nine teams in the major leagues, including a stint with the Yankees. He remains the highest drafted player out of New Jersey, selected No. 3 overall by the Minnesota Twins in 1987, right after Ken Griffey, Jr.
Goodson, currently the women’s coach at Old Dominion University, was one of the first true All-Stars in the WNBA.
Others to receive induction this year include St. Peter’s Prep football coach and athletic director Rich Hansen and United States Olympic tae kwon do competitor and coach Kevin Padilla.
Ed “The Faa” Ford, the long-time baseball scout, coach and sportswriter, will be inducted posthumously, as will Olympic marathoner Johnny Hayes of North Bergen. Hayes won the gold medal in the 1908 Olympics.
Rich Myrlak, the athletic coordinator at the Hudson County Schools of Technology, will be presented with the Community Service Award for his contribution to the Hall of Fame, as a founding member, and for his volunteer services with local groups such as the St. Michael’s CYO organization in Union City.
Tickets are on sale for the event and can be secured by calling (201) 915-1388 during business hours…
Congrats to Jersey City native Ken Frank, the Toms River South head baseball coach (and Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame member) who surpassed the late Tony Ferrainolo of Memorial as the state’s all-time leader in coaching victories Tuesday.
Frank won his 755th game, surpassing the mark set by Ferrainolo last May. The long-time Memorial coach and legend passed away in October.
Incredibly, Ferrainolo broke the record set by Harry Shatel of Morristown, who died a week before Ferrainolo surpassed him and now Frank, a native of the Greenville section of Jersey City and a former Snyder High School standout, passed Ferrainolo only a few months after his passing.
As Ferrainolo pointed out last year, Shatel left this earth with the record and as it turned out, so did Ferrainolo…
Some early season baseball musings: The defending Hudson Reporter Most Valuable Player, Kenny Roder of Hoboken, struck out 16 and 15 in his first two starts, and didn’t have a win to show for it. Amazing…
It’s also amazing that the lone undefeated baseball team in Hudson County right now is Secaucus. The Patriots are 4-0…
Hudson Reporter H.S. Baseball Top Five: 1. North Bergen (5-1). 2. St. Peter’s Prep (4-1). 3. Bayonne (4-1). 4. Secaucus (4-0). 5. Hudson Catholic (3-2).
Hudson Reporter H.S. Softball Top Five: 1. North Bergen (5-1). 2. Hoboken (5-0). 3. Secaucus (5-1). 4. Union City (4-1). 5. McNair Academic (6-1)….—Jim Hague.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.