Annual Report Published;
Available On-line
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Hudson Catholic’s 2020-2021 Annual Report is published and being dropped in the mail as you read this. We think you’ll like it, not just for the report out of the result from this past fiscal year, but for its features found inside the covers. Please let us know how we did at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org.
Rather than stand by the mailbox, you'll be able to view it online at hudsoncatholic.org/annualreport by December 3rd and peruse all 20 pages as soon and as much as you wish.
A great big THANK YOU! to all who made this possible! And a special shout out to those alumni whose contributions enabled us to partially offset our production costs. You can find them at the landing page for the Annual Report on the HC website, referenced above.
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Hawk Football Enjoys a Banner Campaign
At 8-2, one of the Greatest Seasons in School History
Hawk Football and Head Coach Lou Zampella ’93 (along with Assistant Coach and our Director of Technology, Chris Johnston), capped off one of the greatest seasons seen at Caven Point, or Roosevelt Stadium for that matter. The Hawks' season came to a heartbreaking end, bowing out of the NJSIAA Non-Public Group ‘B’ playoffs in a 28-0 defeat to South Jersey’s Holy Spirit (Absecon). Of note, the many Catholic high school closures over the past decade have pushed the Non-Public groups down to two, from four, consequently assuring our Hawk squad of more powerful competition.
The season had many highlights, including thrashings of much larger schools -- North Bergen, Bayonne, and Union City -- the only Hudson County teams on the schedule. The only blemish on the schedule was a 32-26 defeat by Irvington in Week 3.
The Hawk Offense was led by a trio of juniors, which bodes well for next year’s outlook. Breakout 1,000-yard running back Jacob Rodriguez rushed for 1,344 yards, with a signature game of 222 yards in 14 carries against UC, including TD runs of 80 and 59 yards. QB Chris Lang also connected twice for TD passes of 34 and 20 yards to Nasire Bell. All of this behind and O-line that featured Rutgers-bound Taj White. Not to be outshone, the Defense fell 27 seconds shy of pitching a shutout vs. UC
Following the season-ending playoff loss, Taj White tweeted out: “Thank you HC Hawks Football for making me who I am today I had a hell of a ride I remember when I thought I was gonna be a basketball player and now look I’ve got many blessings I love every single one of my teammates and coaches and thanks for believing in me 'job not done'”, followed with a heart emoji.
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'86 Reunites
at the Hawks Nest!
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The Class of 1986 came home! To enjoy their 35-year reunion in the glistening Rocky Pope Gym, with all its reminders of Hawk athletic greatness throughout the years. Surrounded by championship banners and, of course, the centerpiece of the Gym, The Wall of Honor that pays tribute to the greatest athletes and coaches in the history of the school.
We would like to see more classes come home for their reunions, consequently, we are trying to gauge interest and plan for an April event in which we bring in many, if not all, classes ending in graduating years of '2' and '7' for their 5 and 10 year reunion cycles. The viability of such an event will depend on an expression of interest in joining in the April Reunion Event.
In this manner, the Office of Advancement can help your class organize and execute. Ms. Jill Cypher, our Director of Events & Marketing, and your reunion hostess extraordinaire (jcypher@hudsoncatholic.org), can work for multiple classes simultaneously to make arrangements and obtain optimal pricing by concentrating on a multi-class event. While Jill is also happy to work with classes who decide to host an event off-site, that adds greatly to her workload and becomes a challenge for the limited staffing of the Office of Advancement.
We hope you will opt for your reunion at the school, proving that Hudson Catholic is one place you CAN go home again!
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Five Hawk Alumni volunteer
to Mentor Students as part of the Student/Partner Alliance
Two Spots Remain Open for Female Mentors
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Once again, cengaged Hawk alumni have responded to the call for student mentors from the Student/Partner Alliance, a long-running and Hudson Catholic’s largest benefactor for scholarship and tuition assistance.
Under the leadership of David Carbone ’74, we put the call out for mentors and have surfaced five alumni for matching with male Hawks. Our Alumni volunteers are Joshua Gochiz ‘08, Rob Hennigar ‘92, Tom Mullarney ‘73, Larry Sansevere ’75, and Mike Skea ’74.
Still needed: two female mentors. We can do college level juniors and on up. C’mon, ladies, this is your time to give back some of what was given to you - in service to others.
Thanks are offered to these fine alumni for offering their time and life experience to advantage our students! And continued thanks to the ‘Partners’ (donors) at S/PA, Ann Kemp, and Executive Director Margaret Momber who continue to invest in Hudson Catholic and its mission!
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Best Yearbook Vote is In
The results are in! And the winner is………………..2015!
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First and Second Runners-Up......... |
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For those who packed their Yearbook in a moving box that found its way into the attic or cellar, never to be seen again, the Alumni Association is in the process of digitizing yearbook contents, year by year. An arduous process for sure, nevertheless, we look forward to being able to share more blasts from the past in this column, along with the other great uses to which that effort can be put. We'll provide periodic updates here on the road being travelled. |
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Alumni Spotlight
(dedicated to the late Mr. James Quirke)
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Thespian, in service to others. Michael Rodrick ‘88 - his real and stage name - after starring in Oprah Winfrey’s television series GREENLEAF as Ray Fisher, has returned to NJ/NY from Los Angeles, and landed a guest role in NBC’s Blacklist, starring James Spader, in "Between Sleep & Awake" Episode 7 of Season 9 (Thursdays, 8pm ET). Mike has dedicated this performance to Mr. James Quirke, a beloved faculty member and administrator during Mike’s time in school.
Mike’s long career as a character actor has taken him through TV series in recurring and guest roles, such as ‘24’, Hawaii 5-0, General Hospital, Rizzoli & Isles, Saving Grace, The Mentalist, CSI-Miami, Without a Trace, Bones, and Cold Case, among others.
It all started when Mike was a Hawk Junior and, on a lark, Mike auditioned for the New Jersey Governor’s School of the Arts, to get himself out of the house. He became one of 12 students selected across the state. Mike went on to receive a full scholarship to the Catholic University of America.
When not acting, Mike works with developers to build housing for the homeless, with focus on seniors and veterans, and at-risk foster youth.
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Called to Duty. John “Jack “Dunne lll ‘83 is currently serving in the prestigious leadership position of State Vice Commander, Department of New Jersey American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Jack is one of many alumni examples of how a faculty member made a real difference in his life. Jack tells the story that his classmates will remember of how he was shown the door after fighting in the school cafeteria. He moved on to finish sophomore year at Bayonne. After that experience, he realized he wanted to come back and graduate, so he paid a visit to Mr. Quirke, asking for a second chance to be a Hawk. Mr. Quirke agreed to give him a shot as long as Jack honored their agreement that he would stay out of trouble in his junior and senior years.
On graduation day Mr. Quirke, with a proud smile and a tear in his eye, shook hands with Jack and wished him all the best in his future as he left the Hawks Nest for the Marines - Jack's plan all along.
Jack served in the Marine Corps Infantry 1983-1989 and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. He returned home and began a career with the Bayonne Fire Department where he worked his way through the ranks, becoming a Battalion Fire Chief and one of the most decorated members in the history of Bayonne’s Bravest. He responded to the WTC after the 9-11 attacks to do his part in the rescue and recovery operation.
This experience called him back to military service, this time as a firefighter in the Air Force where he deployed twice in support of the Global War on Terror, including a tour of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Once again, he rose through the ranks, becoming a Fire Chief and was promoted to Master Sergeant.
Jack recently attended Hudson Catholic’s Uniformed Heroes Mass, proudly wearing his Fire Department Uniform. He stated that he felt he had come full circle, successfully, on the second chance he was given by Hudson Catholic, and will continue to pay it forward.
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Gannon Party
A Walk Down Memory Lane
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The Man, the Myth, The Legend back in the day -- James Brolin - no! James K. Gannon, confident in his classroom command, leadership of the athletic program, and how good he looked in plaid. So many others agreed, that they dedicated a Yearbook to him in the late '70s. |
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Legendary pioneer faculty member, James K. Gannon, right, with his young charge, Mark 'Mountain Man' Fugel '73 in Belmar recently. No word on Big Jim's choice of pant. |
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‘Glory Days’ may pass you by in the wink of a young girl’s eye, according to a famous former Belmar resident, but they are still a lot of fun to kick around when old friends come together to fete/roast/toast one of their mentors, as in the legend of Jim Gannon, early day faculty member and one-time Athletic Director at the Hawks Nest.
Can you imagine how many thoroughly embellished stories flew around the room that night? All in the name of laughter and good cheer, we are sure.
Mr. Gannon, now ‘Jim’ to his younger charges, summed up the night in his honor this way: “Las Saturday evening I was “roasted” by my former friends from the class of 1973. This also included my induction into the Class of’ 73 Gong Show (a world class honor). Many guys from other graduation years attended and made the night even more special. This all goes to prove how classy the people that I had the opportunity to teach between 1966 and 1978 are. Hudson Catholic and all the people associated with the school have a special place in my heart.”
Many Hawk basketballers from the era gathered to honor the AD of their era, including 6 members of the fabled 1972-73 North Jersey State Sectional Championship team -- Seniors Jim Sweeney and Mike Finley, Juniors Peter Morales and Mark DeCorso, Sophomore Jim Spanarkel, and Freshman Mike O'Koren.
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From left to right: Still folding their arms for team photos nearly 50 years later, but sporting a bit less hair, are Peter Morales '74; Joe 'Moon' Costagna '74; Mike Perchun '75; Jim Sweeney '73; Mike 'Little' O'Koren '76; Mike Finley '73; Jim Spanarkel '75; Glen Taylor '74; Steve Cuccinelli '75; Mark DeCorso '74. Characters all. Extra credit question: who is the Photo Bomber in this one? |
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Sleuthing Skills Sharpened
as part of Forensic Coursework
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Faculty member Anna Schreiber opened the school year with a ‘hands-on’ challenge for the students in her Forensics, al la CSI, class by staging a crime scene in the Performing Arts Room. |
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No Hawk Left Behind
Looking for an email address, phone number, and/or mailing address
Contact Advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
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1978
Stuart Ashmore
Thomas D'Agostino
John Gonnella
Robert Hayes
Michael Lee
Kit Low
Paul Pak
Joseph Scarpa
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1969
Harry Morris
1970
John Behrens
Jose Fernandez
Kevin Mullane
Joseph Semancik
2009
Rafael DeSoto
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Korrections Korner
The Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program contains the Capt. James Wood Scholarship, not 'Lt.' There are no Lieutenants in the Fire Department.
Gail ‘Kernan’-Kahle is Gail Kiernan, which makes her the sister of Brian Kiernan ’81.
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FYI
hudsoncatholic.org/BTL to:
Find past issues of Building The Legacy
hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected to:
Update email address, mobile phone number, or mailing address
Share employer name, job title, professional field
Personal updates: degrees, marriage, births, job change/promotion, awards
Advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to:
Provide prospect contact information for Marist or St. Anthony Legacy Scholarship at Hudson Catholic
Advertise your business card here for $25 per issue
Plan a visit back to the Hawks Nest
Obtain or donate a yearbook through The Yearbook Exchange
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What stands in the way becomes the way. |
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The Office of Advancement ~ Gary, Jill & Jenine
201-332-5970 x118
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Special thanks to our sponsors: |
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