"Enter To Learn, Leave to Serve" | | Class of 2025: share your email address with the school! | | |
2026 Wall of Honor Inductees
Jillian Ward '18 (Softball)
Thomas Bender III '04 (Multi-Sports Star)
Dennis Cronin '81 (Track),
Paul Santasieri '74 (Cross Country)
'Rocky' Pope (Coach),
1976 State Champion Basketball Team
To be honored April 24th at the Hawks Nest
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Jillian Ward '18
Softball
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Thomas F.X. Bender III '04
Football-Basketball-Baseball
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Paul Santasieri '74
Cross Country
| | | Coach Joseph 'Rocky' Pope | | |
Rocky Pope came to Hudson Catholic in 1971 and spent the next 19 years (until his passing in January 1991) stressing what it meant to be a Hawk student-athlete. Coaching basketball for 12 seasons and baseball for 19 seasons, he dominated the County basketball scene alongside Bob Hurley at St Anthony's and the County baseball scene alongside Eddie Ford at St. Mary's.
While Rocky’s influence stretched far beyond winning teams, he managed to achieve plenty of success on the hardwood and diamond. Inheriting a 1-win basketball team upon his arrival, over the next five season (‘71-‘72 through 75-'76) the win totals improved to 8,19,16, 22, and 22. These wins accounted for several firsts:
1973-Parochial 'A' North State Champs.
1975-Hudson County Champs (rated top 5 team in County history by Jersey Journal staff)
1976-Parochial 'A' State Champs (the lone State basketball championship in school history)
On the baseball diamond, Rocky's teams won over 300 games in his 19 seasons, coaching his last game - his 7th County title game - while terminally ill. These wins also accounted for several firsts:
1974-First league title; first sports team to reach 20 wins
1984-First County Baseball Championship
1972-1990- seven league titles: '74, '75, '77, '84, '85, '87, '90
At the dedication of the Gym in 1992, the legends of Hudson Catholic sports -- Jim McDonough ‘73, Mike O'Koren ‘76, and Jim Sparnarkel ‘75 all spoke, but only the late great Brother Pat King could sum up Rocky best. Brother Pat called Rocky “a teacher, a philanthropist, a psychologist, a sage, a father, a brother, a friend, a coach to hundreds of children in Jersey City over a period of 30 years.”
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The 1976 Parochial Group 'A' Basketball Championship was the first New Jersey State Championship brought home by a Hudson Catholic athletic team. The 1975-76 Hawks, led by All State and all-time school leading scorer and rebounder, Michael O'Koren, posted a 22-6 won-loss record under Hall of Fame Coach Joe 'Rocky' Pope. Once in the State Playoffs, our Hawks had to run the gauntlet through St Joe's WNY, Seton Hall Prep, and then Paramus Catholic to capture the North Jersey Championship, after which they moved on to face, and defeat, the South Jersey Champs, Holy Spirit, in the title game.
The senior-dominated roster consisted of Wall of Honor member and Hawk Hall of Famers Michael O'Koren and Tom Clark '76, Mark Carugan '76, Ed Chmielewski '76, Steve O'Brien '76, Tim Coleman '76, Mark Fowler '76, Mike Andretta '77, Alan Cancro '77, Bob Hammer '77, John Spanarkel '78, and now-Reverend Mike Bihuniak '79.
As our hometown paper, The Jersey Journal, chronicled the Hawks' campaign through 'the States', the Hawks opened with a 56-35 trouncing of the St. Joe's WNY Blue Jays at the Hawks Nest, led by O'Koren's 33 points and 12 rebounds. In the next round, again at McGinley Square, the Hawks prevailed over the Pirates of Seton Hall Prep, 50-40, highlighted by 28 points and 21 caroms from O'Koren, and "possibly the best all-around game of his career from little Ed Chmielewski."
That brought the Hawks up against the #1 seed in the North Jersey grouping, the Paladins of Paramus Catholic, at Fair Lawn High. The Hawks posted a come-from-behind 63-60 victory, in a game they trailed by as much as eight points late in the third quarter. While O'Koren tallied 17 points and 15 rebounds, Steve O'Brien took scoring honors with 18. In the State Title game at Brookdale CC, the Hawks came up against Holy Spirit, who had defeated Christian Brothers Academy for the South Jersey title, depriving the Hawks a chance at avenging a State Title game loss just three years earlier. Even so, the Hawks and the seven seniors on the roster ended their season and high school careers, respectively, in a blaze of glory with a 44-31 demolition of the Spartans, highlighted by a 26-point, 18 rebound performance by 'Little'.
Having previously accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of North Carolina, the leading scorer in Jersey City schoolboy history collected an added highlight -- an invitation from the U.S. Olympic Committee to participate in the U.S. Olympic Basketball Tryouts in Raleigh, NC, as one of a select group of high school seniors chosen to attend, according to then-Hawk Athletic Director Jim Gannon.
| | More Profiles To Come Next Issue | | |
Hawks Assemble!
50 Year Hawk Social brings '68 - '75 together
| | Friendly little Downtown Bar | | | | | '68 Hawks: Rich Muzikar, Gerry Norcia, Bill Tamke, Jack Campion, Bill Coogan, Bob Gironda, Bob D'Agostino, Matt Donohue, Vic Urbanovich, George Gilcher, Bob Behson, Mike Garner, Carl Russo. | | |
Jim Sweeney '73's brainchild came together on January 24th at Brightside Tavern in downtown Jersey City, quenching a thirst among Hawks to reunite with friends from among classes other than their own. To that end, 55 Hawks from classes that have already celebrated their 50-year anniversaries gathered on a Saturday afternoon, coming from near and far, car-pooling or hitch-hiking to make it there. Many thanks to the Class Leaders working with Jim to promote the event to their classes, recruit attendees, and keep everyone informed: George Gilcher '68, Bob Stroebel '69, Larry Basinski '70, Dennis Danilewicz '71, John Strzalkowski '72, Casey Zachowski '73, and Peter Morales '74.
We had 12 Pioneer Hawks on hand, Mr. Jack Campion offering a toast and resounding reminiscence, and President-Principal Terry Matthews updating the loyal Hawkes about today's Hudson Catholic (He kindly asked that the assembled Hawks stop telling his students about the smoking lounge back in the day, and assorted other practices of the day that would be shunned today!)
Upon getting wind of this gathering, legendary rocker Neil Young, he of "its better to burn out than fade way" fame, sent along his regards in the form of the event banner.
Bob Stroebel '69 poignantly remarked about the turnout of '68. From the first class that graduated 108, we have 74 living alumni, of whom we can reach 55. From that, 14 registered and paid to attend the event. Unfortunately Jack Deschauer from Virginia and Dennis Murphy from Massachusetts were deterred by the weather, but with them, that would account for 25% turnout of our respected elders for the event. That is remarkable!
No surprise, our Hawks are always giving of themselves, in this case with net proceeds from the event being gifted to the school. Thank you Senior Hawks!
| | '73 Hawks Casey Zachowski, Al Long, Carl Gargiulo, Jim Sweeney, Mark Fallon, Tom Mullarney, Gary Ferrari, Tom O'Connor, Mike Finley, Gus Cotayo. | | |
'71 Hawks
Mike Pecklers and Keith Cerruti
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Among the St. Patrick's Ten,
'68 Hawks
Bill Tamke and Carl Russo
| | | '69 Hawks Denis Sweeney, Steve Liptak, Bob Stroebel, Bob Shipman, Bill LaRosa, Jack Campion. Not pictured: Dennis Dran | | '74 Hawks Peter Morales, Ray Wierzbicki, Matt McGrath | | '72 Hawks Dennis Dussman, Bill Cullen, Andy Riggi, John Strzalkowski, Bob Calderone, David Beni | | Are You An Ambassador of Hudson Catholic? | | |
You may be, without even knowing it. In your daily personal life, you represent Hudson Catholic not just as a graduate. Your conduct, values, and achievements all reflect on Hudson Catholic. Naturally, we harbor great pride in our graduates. We often refer to our alumni as you as “beacons of Hudson Catholic.”
A beacon is conspicuous in attracting attention which, in our case, is to our school and mission. An ambassador is a representative or a proxy who stands in for our school and mission to build and cultivate relationships that may prove beneficial to Hudson Catholic.
It is not just our own personal commitments of time, talent or treasure that sustains The Home of The Hawks; it could very well be that those same gifts from among your personal connections could propel Hudson Catholic to greater heights in the years ahead.
Think of the personal, family, and professional relationships you have with those who, because of their civic, professional, or financial standing, might leverage your impact on the well-being of Hudson Catholic through a significant financial or non-financial contribution.
Whether you are a seasoned alumnus who sits on a Board or in a CEO chair, with access to individuals who may be drawn to cause-related philanthropy, or a younger alum whose stock in trade lies in ‘influencing’ your own generation through your social media reach, there are probably numerous untapped opportunities for many of us to bring our contacts, and their assets, to the table at Hudson Catholic -- for the great benefit of our student body today, and for years to come.
If each supporter of Hudson Catholic could identify one person they could cultivate to help the cause by telling them the story of our 60-year Lasallian mission educating the children of working class families in the urban milieu of Jersey City, the possibilities for our school and our Hawks could be greatly expanded and enriched. And who wouldn’t want that for Hudson Catholic?
You may elect to go about this effort quietly and unseen, but please go about it. And for those who would like to but are not comfortable doing so, or might appreciate some assistance for doing so, contact Chief Advancement Officer Gary Ferrari ’73 at gary.ferrari@hudsoncatholic.org.
It is not crass to think about how to leverage “other people’s money,” in fact, it is wise and caring for the cause that means so much to you because it played a significant role in the life you have been able to live. Let’s pay that back by paying it forward!
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February is an important month in our school year. The second semester begins after the conclusion of mid-term exams. But that is for our current Hawks! The life-blood of our school is always our incoming class. We were really pleased with the academic strength of this group of applicants for the Class of 2030 and are looking forward to a strong registration cycle.
We just concluded Catholic Schools Week and I couldn’t be any prouder of our students, staff and community. During the week, the students collected over 2100 cans of food and non-perishables to be delivered to the Food Pantry at Our Lady of Sorrows. They also raised over $1000 to be shared with these organizations: Women Rising, to combat Domestic Violence; the Humane Society; the American Red Cross; and the Boys and Girls Club of Jersey City. The entire week was student-organized and student-run. Our students truly live the Lasallian ideal of Service.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of Hudson Catholic. Our students continue to carry on the legacy created for them by those who came before.
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REUNION REMINDERS
Hey '76ers!
This is Your Year!
get started early on planning your
50-Year Reunion
For that matter,
'86, '01, and '16
are reaching a nice round number this year
Contact Jill Cypher at jcypher@hudsoncatholic.org
to express interest in having / helping with your class reunion
| | Community 1st Gift to Hudson Catholic | | |
Mr. Joseph Napolitano of Community 1st of Jersey City is seen presenting a gift of $13,565 to President-Principal Terry Matthews for the Soaring To New Heights student assistance fund. This gift marks the second year of Community 1st support for Hudson Catholic, totaling $29,565!
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Believe It Or Not, Ripley......
Hudson looking toward its Class of 2030!
| | The Admissions Office recently issued 400+ Acceptance Letters for next year's class. This action plus several other recruitments efforts typically yield an incoming class of 125-135, and that is our target again this year. In years past, there was a hard registration deadline but, in today's more competitive recruitment landscape, and the increased mobility of students and families, we are now 'blessed' with a recruitment season that carries on into the summer, which is when we will likely reach our target. We are confident that the large Acceptance population will generate the large majority of our incoming class target, and we'll know that soon. Registration is rolling, so we'll build our number over time and report out on it. | | The Hawk Student Council is to thank for our most creative and service oriented Catholic Schools Week ever! Along with their moderator, Mrs. Drennan-Eckel, they embraced the idea of what the week is about. Tag Day money found its way in donations to Women Rising, The Boys and Girls Club of Jersey City, and the NJ Humane Society. In addition, students engaged in service projects all week long, writing letters of support to women who suffer from domestic violence, letters of thanks to U.S. Veterans, social media posts promoting the Red Cross, coloring pictures for children in hospitals, and sending loving messages to the elderly in Peace Care at St. Ann's. The week culminated in the Battle of the Classes, which was a close battle between the seniors and freshmen. The seniors won the events in the Gym, and the freshmen, along with support from the NJ State Troopers, put us over the top in food can collection! Next week, Hudson will donate 2.026 canned food items to Our Lady of Sorrows in Jersey City. What a wonderful week! | | Tarig Holman to Head Hawk Football | | |
President-Principal Terry Matthews has announced the addition of former NFL player Tarig Holman as the new Head Football Coach at Hudson Catholic. Coach Holman has had an illustrious career as a player and a coach and is a dedicated educator of 23 years.
Earlier, President Matthews announced that we have parted ways with Coach Yasir Thomas following a thorough review of the Football Program. In a statement, President Matthews said: "Coach Thomas served the Hudson Catholic Hawks football program with dedication this past season. During his tenure he contributed to the development of the school's student-athletes and helped maintain the proud traditions of Hudson Catholic Regional High School athletics. The school appreciates his two years of service, both as an assistant and head coach, and the positive impact he had on the young men in our community." Mr. Thomas remains in his teaching position as Phys Ed/Health instructor."
In announcing Coach Holman's appointment, President Matthews stated: "Coach Holman is a dedicated educator and coach committed to the academic, professional, social, spiritual, and athletic growth of students."
At Randolph High School, he was a four-time Track & Field State Champion, captained the football team, earned All State honors, and received a full scholarship to the University of Iowa, where he first became a Hawk! There, he was a three-year starter and Co-Captain, was named an All Big Ten Defensive Back and Academic All Big Ten, played in five Bowl games and lettered in Track & Field. His claim to fame is having intercepted Tom Brady twice in a game against Michigan! His NFL career with the Tampa Bays Bucs ended prematurely after an injury.
As for his coaching chops, Holman has 11 years each as a Head Coach and as an Assistant Coach. He comes to us following a stint as Defensive Coordinator at state-powerhouse St. Joseph's Regional HS of Montvale that, in 2025, finished as a State Champion and #1 ranked team in NJ, for which he was named the 2025 Non-Public Assistant Coach of the Year by the NJFCA.
At Trenton Central HS, Holman took over a program that had won six games in seven years and in his first full season the squad went 8-2 and made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. He has coached 33 D1 players, including four who went into the NFL. He currently serves as President of the New Jersey Football Coaches Association. In addition to football, Coach Holman has served 25 seasons as a Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach.
Please welcome Coach Holman to the Hudson Catholic community!
| | Senior Andre Marcus made school history by becoming the fastest Hawk at 200 Meters in Indoor Track! He ran 22.39, just ahead of the old record set in 2020 by Kai'leel Jefferson. | | |
Mrs. Joanne Fiume, wife of the late Dr. Alfred Fiume '80 USA. and President of the Alfred M. Fiume Foundation. along with Fred's daughter Alyssa Fiume, visited the Hawks Nest recently to present a $500 check for scholarship in Fred's name to President-Principal Terry Matthews. The award will go to a Hawk intending to pursue studies in the medical field or who will be enlisting in military service following graduation -- two things that Fred Fiume did in his time following his days at McGinley Square. Thank you, Fred and Fiume Family!
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Mr. Joseph Cook is the chair of the Hudson Catholic History Department (since 2022) and is in his eighth year teaching at the Hawks Nest. He also serves as a Dual Enrollment Adjunct Professor for St. Peter's University, consequently teaching our Hawks (and college students) who are on track to earn an Associates degree while attending Hudson Catholic. Prior to The Home of The Hawks, Mr. Cook taught four years at an elite private school in North Carolina, and one year at DePaul Catholic. He is an experienced battlefield tour guide and veteran researcher of the Civil War Institute of Gettysburg, where his work contributed to the 2006 book, The Gettysburg Gospel by Dr. Gabor Boritt. He is published in a variety of history journals and currently has multiple papers under review for publication, and is a member of the Organization of American Historians. He has advised on a wide variety of extracurricular activities, among them the History Movie Club, Quiz Bowl, and Debate Club.
| | The Student/Partner Alliance, Hudson Catholic's largest benefactor, is seeking two adult females with interest in mentoring a Hudson Catholic female student. These are students who are receiving financial support from the S/PA. This difference-making organization is committed to providing mentoring and other aspects of student support, backing up its financial commitments to our Hawks. Please express interest in a note to advancment@hudsoncatholic.org and we'll put you in touch with the right person at S/PA. | | Tenzin Choeying '25, our most recent Class Valedictorian, is matriculating at U of Penn's Wharton School, the world's first collegiate business school, and has two internships lined up for late spring through early fall, but is also looking to gain some hands-on experience in Finance in the meantime. So, we are putting out the call among our Hawk Finance network for an opportunity in the tri-state area or Boston, or in a remote capacity. Resume upon request. Express interest at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org | | |
Hall of Famer Jack Curry
Shares His Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot
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By virtue of being a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), Jack Curry '82 receives the honor of voting for new members to the Baseball Hall of Fame each year at this time. As he has customarily done for several years now, he shared his official ballot with his favorite easy reading publication, Building The Legacy. With room for up to ten votes, Jack marked his ballot for just three men who he felt were deserving of enshrinement this year. His selections were Andruw Jones and Carlos Beltran, both of whom were elected -- the only two to receive that high honor -- and Andy Pettitte. As it so happens, all three managed to appear in a Yankees uniform at some point in their career. Thanks, Jack!
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Getcha Hawk Merch!
Many have inquired about how best to obtain Hawk merch.
It is now available through our school website
Here are a few samples of what you will find there.
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Alumni Spotlight
Leadership, Service, Achievements
(and occasional whimsy)
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Polling well. Keith McKnight '25 is off to a strong start with the Quinnipiac Bobcats, averaging 11 points and five rebounds per game as a true freshman in the MAAC. His Bobcats brought him to homecoming, of sorts, recently, when they invaded Jersey City to challenge the St. Peter's Peacocks. Keith returned to campus disappointed, as the Peacocks prevailed, 74 -70, but he gave a great account of himself, coming off the bench to score nine points and grab 8 boards in 23 minutes of court time. Big things ahead!
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At the Crossroads to the World. Bernadette Matutino '21 was a key contributor to the NY Cosmos Time Square Jersey Launch Party & Photoshoot, from helping with on-site logistics and timelines, to assisting creative execution and talent coordination, closely collaborating with marketing, media and operations to bring the Cosmos brand to life at one of the world's iconic locations!
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Brokering knowledge. Destiny Ramirez '20 is an Associate at Horvath & Tremblay, one of the most active and successful real estate brokerage firms in the United States, dedicated to being the best source of information and expertise in the marketplace for private investors, developers, institutions, and industry professionals.
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Servant Leader. Quincy Slay '19 is an educator at Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park, coaches basketball there, and is a board member at the Student/Partner Alliance, Hudson Catholic's largest benefactor for tuition assistance and mentoring support. He is pursuing his Master of Public Administration degree at Seton Hall University to prepare himself for management and administrative roles in non-profit and mission-driven organizations.
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Agent of Change. Ireland Tavarez '19 has started a new position as Principal Financial Representative at Principal Financial Network of Mid-Atlantic. Her mantra is that "change is one of the great constants in life, that's whu its so important to regularly to review your objectives, your plan, or your financial strategy, at least once a year." That sometimes includes changing jobs in pursuit of your career!
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On With The Show. Joseph Cruz '17, filmmaker, premiered The Park Theatre Lives at the William Carlos Williams Center in Rutherford, NJ.
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Humble Builder. Hall of Famer Curt Zegler '89 (VP/Construction Exec at Turner Construction) in his words "is grateful (there's that word again) to be a part of a project that will serve millions of travelers for years to come," but there's a reason that HE is holding the award bestowed by Engineering News Record to Delta Air Lines' Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport as the Best Regional Project of 2025 in the aviation/travel category -- he managed the project!
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A Life Dedicated to Safety. Philip Zazzera '83 is Corporate Director of Environmental Health & Safety for Dakota Matting & Environmental Solutions in the Miami - Ft. Lauderdale area, and has been actively serving with the American Society of Safety Professionals for. four years, as President of the Suncoast Chapter, and now as Area Director for South Florida. He is also a 25-year firefighter. We 'spotlighted' Phil's brother John '83 last issue.
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Staking His Claim. Vincent Brown '81, a veteran attorney in the corporate arena, has claimed a new role as Partner in the Labor & Employment Group at FBT Gibbons in Newark.
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Molecule Man. Joseph Adams '80 PH.D is a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of California, San Diego, where he is focused on laboratory research into the splicing of mRNA. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications on such research for professional journals.
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Serving the Professionals in his Profession. Mark Kahrer '79, a veteran executive in the field of energy, recently concluded his year-long leadership role in the 150th year of the Society of Gas Lighting, comprising executives in the gas industry and focused on their professional development and the education of the public about the safety, reliability and affordability of gas services.
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Newest Hawk Author. Mike Makarski '76 has joined our Library of Hawks at https://hudsoncatholic.org/library-of-hawks with the recent publication of his first children's book titled A Christmas Secret: Mama Claus. This is a 36-page Children's picture book that highlights the often-unrecognized, essential work of Mrs. Claus. As a tribute to the unsung hero of the holidays, the story portrays her as the true mastermind behind toy design, elf management, and holiday magic, portraying her as more than just a background character. Available at all major booksellers.
This makes for 22 known Hawk Authors in our Library of Hawks. They have published 81 works.
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Wisdom Informed by the Old Neighborhood. Joe Slota '72's book titled From The Streets to Global Seats received a 2025 International Impact Book Award.
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Tell Us
Just one of many things that unites us as Hawks is that Hudson Catholic alumni spread around the nation and the world are making incredible contributions to their communities, professions, and to Hudson Catholic.
If you know of an exceptional Hawk deserving recognition, we invite you to share why, by writing to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org with examples of Hawk alumni and alumnae leadership, service, and achievement...........and occasional whimsy.
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Student-Teacher Reunion. Ruben Ramos '91 once taught Kevon Stewart '13 at Paterson, NJ School #15. All these years later, both are HC alums, Kavon is the Head Basketball Coach at Hudson, and Ruben is a fan!
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'83 Classmates Run-in on the Road. Phil Zazzera and Rich Buchicchio found each other in Goose Creek, SC, just outside of Charleston.
| | Back to School! Ten members of the Class of 1980 were back on campus recently for a tour of alma mater. Fifty years ago, this Murderers Row was navigating its way through their Freshman Year. Lots of reminiscing about teachers and classrooms were had. And the Hawks look as studious today, back in Room 218 as they did back in the day! Ready for class are: Ken Such, Paul Ebert, Steve Grocki and Joe Vaccarella down the left row; Joe Gallucci, Ray Pipher, and Ed Hickey down the middle row; and, John Radvanski, Tom Engleke, and Kevin Carroll down the right row. | | A scene out of 1968, from an event in the Hudson Catholic Cafeteria, Oh, those chairs of the day! | | |
The 'Safety' Game. In what could be the only football result like this in the annals of Hudson County schoolboy football games (we dare you to disprove us!), our 1973 Hawk JV team prevailed in a game that featured three safeties and no other scores of any type, resulting in a 4-2 baseball score-type victory over Marist. Of course, as the Morales Sports Bureau sees it, "Any win against Marist was a good one."
The article failed to mention anything about how those safeties occurred and who on the. Hawk JV may have been responsible for them, so.........we ask you -- does anybody recall which Hawk players secured each of these two safeties agains Marist? If so, shoot us a one-liner to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org. Hint: that JV team would have consisted mostly of Sophs from the Class of '76 who were not playing Varsity that year.
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Do You Have a 'Blast From The Past' to Share?
Whether from the 60s, or all the way up to the Aughts and beyond
(at least ten years old), or in between,
if you have a great rare memory, artifact, or whimsical item,
send it to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
and we will try to share it with the HC community
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If you can't take it with you,
why not leave it to Hudson Catholic?
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Where it can provide perhaps the greatest gift of all
THE GIFT OF EDUCATION
For more information on ways to arrange a meaningful planned gift
Contact the Chief Advancement Officer, Gary Ferrari '73 at gary.ferrari@hudsoncatholic.org or 201-888-6276.
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Lou Corio '76 favored us with this Hudson artifact, found among his personal treasures, undoubtedly as he readies for his class's 50 Year Reunion upcoming in 2026. We think these buttons were popular in the '70s and handed out for Pep Rallies, but would like to hear from other Hawks as to when and how they were deployed.
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In our last issue's 'Did You Know?' feature, we correctly identified Frank Infante of 'Blondie' fame as the cousin of Frank Infante '69. But we erroneously omitted that Billy Infante '86, a Jersey City Firefighter, is his brother. Thanks, to Ken Such '80. The brothers are seen here at a recent sit-down at downtown's Edwards Steakhouse, a Hawk-owned and operated restaurant led by Pat Donnelly '86, Dom Pandolfo '87, and Dave Barbossa '87.
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No Hawk Left Behind
We lose touch with some of our graduates who move around, go off to college, start careers, get married, etc. In some cases, they retire, having used their work email to receive ' BTL', and forget to notify us of a personal email address. Help us find them again and make it harder for us to lose touch. Many on this list have siblings who are Hawk alumni, so turn them in at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org or send them to hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected to update their contact info.
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Anthony Abbato ‘68
Luis Costa '69
Walter Dwyer '69
Joseph Pozniak '69
Thomas Walker ‘69
Jack Fry ‘70
Michael Quinn '70
William Marks ‘72
Mike Topolski ‘72
Joseph Bertolini ’74
Thomas Dundee ‘74
Joseph Pesce ‘75
Edward Phillips ‘75
Steven Corbett ‘76
Greg Czochanski ‘76
Vincent Kearns ‘76
Robert Lee ‘76
Robert Longa ‘76
Art Selander '76
Joseph Wierzbicki ‘76
Carmen Marsi ‘77
James Murphy ‘77
James Osmun ‘78
John Sullivan ‘78
Joseph Barone ‘79
John Buchalski ‘80
Fred Burns ‘80
James Hogan ‘81
Brian Kelly ‘81
Sean O’Connor ‘82
John Polak ‘82
Michael DeCandia '83
Joseph Nidowicz ‘83
Edward Radziewicz ‘83
Paul Ripnick ‘84
Matthew Scanlon ‘84
Tim McCourt '85
Michael Simonelli '85
Jaason Bennett' 86
Sean Donnelly ‘86
Roger Orihuela ‘86
Greg Allen ‘87
Michael Brown ‘87
Robert Maloney ‘88
John Scivetti ‘88
Anthony Savarese ‘89
Joseph Sellitto ‘89
Joel Luzzi ‘90
Mike Malloy ‘90
George Ganley ‘91
Burt LaCivita ‘91
Emil Bernardo '92
Joseph Cernecka '92
Anthony Celebrano '93
Marc Malloy '93
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Frank Marlowe '94
Michael Spina '94
Gary Trinidad '94
Anand Bhatt '95
Nicholas Binetti '95
Ricardo Romero '96
Joseph Zanca '96
Joseph Agir '97
Eduardo Benedetto '97
Salvatroe Sellitto '97
Richard Pinal '98
Diego Restrepo '98
Chris Cassaro '99
Jeffrey Machno '99
Steve Petrillo '00
Vincent Spadavecchia '00
Roger Boutros '01
Frank Cardillo '01
Asif Chaudhry '01
Nuno Cunha '01
Christian Nguyen '01
Markus Punsalan '01
Franklin Saquicela '01
Christopher Wong '01
Erich Daludado '02
James Doran '02
Leonard Urbanski '02
Marco Marandola '03
Bruce Neves '03
Doug Stoveken '04
Raymond Ubaldo '04
Andrew Ganley '05
Ciro Petrillo '05
Vincent Porta '05
John Wasielewski '08
Gabriel Lorenzo '10
Brian Monieno '10
Michael Rowland '10
Thomas Kelly '12
Gabrielle Campbell '13
Walter Salmeron '13
Evander Pierre '15
Kaylarose Scott '16
Saharath Vichkulwrapan '16
Jaylon Abad-Zaragoza '17
Pape Taha '18
Justin Glover '21
Jayden Diaz '21
Malcolm Eley '21
Erin Holloway '21
Alyssa Rosario '21
Victoria Sanders '21
Mia Bernadotte '21
Vincent Conlon '22
Xavier Edwards '22
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Reminders
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and support this newsletter,
Plan a visit back to The Hawks Nest,
Obtain or donate a Hawk Yearbook
through the Yearbook Exchange,
drop a note to
advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
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For Hawks at or nearing retirement age
and receive this newsletter at your workplace email address
Please send us your personal email address at hudsoncatholic.org/stay-connected, or we will lose touch with you! This happens often.
Death Notifications
may be sent to
info@hawkalumni.org
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Catch up on back issues of
Building The Legacy
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Do you have a newsworthy item or something from the present or past to share with the Hawk community?
· Landed your first job? Taken a new one?
· Received a promotion or honor?
· Gotten engaged or married?
· Celebrated a milestone anniversary?
· Welcomed a child or grandchild?
· Reminisced with fellow Hawks recently?
· Relocated?
· Retired from your last job?
Hudson Catholic welcomes any and all news about your career, education, family life, and reconnecting with other alumni.
Submit a note and share photos with the Hudson Catholic community at
advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
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"Perform the acts of faith; faith will follow.”
-- Saint Ignatius of Loyola
"Service is a force multiplier especially when it's consistent, not seasonal. Leadership isn't only what we build at work, it's about what we give back. MLK's question 'What are you doing for others?' remains the best accountability metric."
-- John Zazzera '83
"God has a way of bringing you back to your roots to remind you who you are."
-- Robert Griffin III,
former NFL QB and current NFL announcer
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Requiescant in Pace
Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur
(Life is changed, not ended)
___________________________
Louis Najdzin '81
___________________________
Will be remembered in the annual
Alumni Mass of Remembrance
on November 1st, 2026
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We Thank
Our Alumni Sponsors
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