Back in 1991, the then-Hudson County Executive Edward Clark launched a project to honor county residents for their achievements in sports and subsequent contributions to the communities.Since then – including the latest crop of honorees feted last week – the county has inducted 465 individuals and three teams – into the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame.Until 2011, when Covid struck, selections were made annually.  After a one-year pause, they’ve continued every other year.An exhibit maintained by the county showcasing photos of the inductees – and illustrations by artist Mike Wilson – is open to visitors on the first floor of the Hudson County Plaza, 257 Cornelison Ave., Jersey City. Wilson’s family from Winston-Salem, N.C., ran a local sporting goods store. He said he’s “self-taught” artist who draws “colorful and humorous sports caricatures.”  At this year’s Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony, held October 2 at St. Peter’s University’s McMahon Student Center, Craig Guy, the current county executive, reminded the 410 attendees that the Hall of Fame goes beyond “statistics or awards.”It also, he said, celebrates “the impact these remarkable people have had on the lives of those who competed with them, against them or simply cheered them on. It’s these relationships, more so than victories on the field of play, that will live on forever.”As an example, Guy said, “I remember the run St. Peter’s (men’s basketball team) made in 2022 (getting into the NCAA finals). “They were known as a bunch of scrappy kids from Jersey City and people still talk about it.”The Peacocks’ achievement “had a positive effect on all of Hudson County,” he said.And, as demonstrated in the Hall of Fame members’ backgrounds, Hudson “is a breeding ground for athletes in every sport,” he added.There’s no question that “Hudson County has a tremendous cast of athletes – even including those athletes from the past that aren’t in the Hall yet,” said Anthony L. Romano, a member of the Hall of Fame’s board of directors.Romano credited board chair Gina Hulings for upgrading the Hall of Fame’s operation.  “She’s now in the process of computerizing the application process,” he said. “That will be a big plus and we should be going live with that in January 2025.”For this year’s Hall entries, there were more than 30 applications submitted, all of which had to be fact-checked, he said.“We’ll also be taking a deeper dive with our selections, possibly to include military veterans with a connection to sports,” Romano added.Richard Kaner, the author of Hoops Hotbed on the Hudson (copies of his book were on each guests seat at the ceremony dinner)Hudson County Executive Craig GuySports Hall of Fame Board Members – Angel Romano and Harry LaurieAt this year’s ceremony, Hoboken Schools Superintendent Christine Johnson was named to the Hall of Fame’s board of directors. Johnson was a three-sport standout in high school volleyball, basketball and hockey.This year’s crop of inductees features:Danny Hurley, of Jersey City, who has served as head basketball coach at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, Wagner College in New York, University of Rhode Island and University of Connecticut. He led UConn’s men’s basketball team to back-to-back championships in 2023-24. Bobby Hurley (Dan’s brother), of Jersey City, who after starring as a hoops player for St. Anthony’s High School, Jersey City, and for Duke University, where he is the all-time leader in assists in NCAA hoops history. He played in the NBA several years before serving as head coach with University of Buffalo and Arizona State. Kenneth Britt, of Bayonne, starred for Bayonne High School and Rutgers University in football before he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans. Over a 10-year NFL career, he played also played for St. Louis/L.A. Rams, the Browns and Patriots. Arthur Rubin, of Jersey City, coached basketball at Snyder High where his team won many championships during his 18-year coaching tenure. Zac Naszimento, of Secaucus, was a 4-year starter for Secaucus High in football and basketball and was the first from his school to play in the North vs. South All Star game. Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, he was unable to continue playing but coached several teams in Hudson and Bergen counties. Wilber Valdez, of Hoboken, was a 2-time state football champ at Hoboken High and as that school’s football coach, has guided his players to three state title appearances. Joseph Liberti, of West New York, starred in high school football, with many outstanding achievements on the gridiron. Tara DeFilippo, of Jersey City, is credited with introducing the windmill pitch to girls softball in Hudson County and excelled for Holy Family Academy. She holds the record for best ERA, most perfect games pitched and no hitters for games won. Kenneth Such, of Bayonne, has coached hockey at St. Peter’s Prep more than 20 seasons and 30+ seasons in football at Hudson Catholic. John Belluardo Jr., of North Bergen, has a master’s degree in urban education. He was an educator for 42 years and a soccer coach for 35 years at North Bergen High School.  He’s an 8-time Hudson County Coach of the Year.  Michael Brown, of Jersey City, excelled in football, baseball and track throughout his Hudson County high school career and was named Hudson County Male Athlete of the Year in 2005.  Jerome Hayes, of Bayonne, was a 2-letter athlete in football and basketball at Bayonne High. Earning 45 Division I scholarships as one of the nation’s best prep linebackers, he played for Penn State, where he earned a degree in communications. He also received an M.A. in education and educational leadership from St. Peter’s University. He’s now head football coach at Bayonne High. Edward Hochstadter Jr., of Hoboken, played hockey for Hudson Catholic for fellow inductee Ken Such, earning MVP and All-State honors. He played one year for the Winnipeg South Blues in junior hockey. He got a degree in accounting from Montclair State University and worked at Bear Stearns and J.P. Morgan for 26 years. Aracely Cruz, of Union City, was a 3-year hoops starter for Union Hill High and a 2005 alum of Stevens Institute of Technology. After graduation, she played for Las Croillas De Caguas in the Baloncesto Superior National League in Puerto Rico. She joins her brother Wilmer as an inductee. Rashawn Jackson, of Jersey City, collected more than 40 scholarship offers from Division I schools, solidifying his status as the nation’s top-ranked running back and linebacker prospect in recognition of his achievements at St. Peter’s Prep. He played for the University of Virginia and was ranked No. 1 fullback in his class. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2010, shifting to the Oakland Raiders in 2012. Joe Botti, of Jersey City, founded the Union City Boxing Club in 1989. He trained 34 New Jersey Golden Glove champs and more than 100 junior champs. He has also managed and trained dozens of pro fighters and has worked in several world championship training camps. He is a member of the New Jersey and National Boxing Hall of Fame. He’s the author of Joe Jennette: Boxing’s Ironman” and “Lightning & Thunder: The Fighting Gatti Brothers.” John Callaway, born in Newark and raised in Bayonne, coached the AAU 15U boys at the Jersey City Boys & Girls Club in 2004 and his club won a state championship.  That same year he and Glenn Johnson teamed to form the Bayonne Mean-Machine Youth Basketball program which went on to win several local championships. The Hurley Family Foundation, of Jersey City, was the first-time winner of the new Elnardo Webster Award of Excellence. The foundation sends some 50 youngsters to camp in the Poconos each summer, sponsors a golf outing to benefit St. Dominic Academy, Jersey City, the only all-girls school left in Hudson County and provides scholarships to County Prep and High Tech High School.The post Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame Inducts Newest Members appeared first on Jersey City Times.