Wednesday, May 27, 2026 n www.TheObserver.com n Volume CXXXIX, Issue No. 3
UNDER THE COVER
w
Kearny PD begins Walk to School With a Cop program Page 14
BELLEVILLE n BLOOMFIELD n EAST NEWARK n HARRISON n KEARNY n LYNDHURST n NORTH ARLINGTON n NUTLEY
Late Observer Sports Writer Jim Hague elected to Hudson Sports Hall of Fame n Jersey City
native’s career spanned decades; he covered countless county athletes & teams By Kevin A. Canessa Jr.
L
kc@theobserver.com
ate Observer sports reporter and Kearny man James F. “Jim” Hague is one of 16 who will be inducted into the 2026 Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame later this year. Hudson County Executive Craig Guy announced the inductees, honoring a class of athletes and coaches whose achievements span generations and multiple sports, including football, soccer, basketball, softball, cross country, track and field, wrestling and baseball. This year’s class includes four women, recognizing outstanding female athletes and coaches whose contributions helped shape the competitive landscape across Hudson County high
File photo
Late Observer Sports Writer Jim Hague was a diehard Rams fan. He’s seen here in 2021 at MetLife Stadium watching his beloved team play the New York Giants.
schools, collegiate, and post-collegiate sports programs. “Hudson County has a proud and deeply rooted sports tradition, and this year’s Hall of Fame class reflects the very best of it,” Guy said. “These 16 inductees, athletes and coaches alike, exemplify dedication, perseverance and excellence. They not only achieved greatness in their respective sports, but they also
MEMORIAL DAY
inspired generations of young athletes across our communities.” The 27th Annual Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony at Saint Peter’s University Duncan Family Sky Room on the 6th floor of the McMahon Student Center, 47 Glenwood Ave., Jersey City, is set for Thursday, Oct. 8. Hague began his sports-writing career with the Hudson Dispatch.
He covered many professional sports, but was most noted for knowing almost every athlete to ever put on a uniform in Hudson County and other towns he covered. He came to The Observer in 2002 and retired a year before his untimely death June 11, 2023, aged 62. He left behind his wife, Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mary Costello.
He was proud of his Jersey City roots, including places like St. Paul’s Greenville and St. Peter’s Prep. After his Prep graduation in 1979, he went on to study journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee, before returning to Hudson County. But he also treasured his adopted Kearny home. The 2026 inductees also include: n Ernie Beler – Bayonne n Gary Danback – Bayonne n Lisa M. Rovatsos – Bayonne n Wayne Zitt – Guttenberg n Ralph Eusebio – Hoboken n Kimberly Hudock – Hoboken n Alberico De Pierro – Jersey City n Shelton Gibbs – Jersey City n Robert Hampton (Elnardo Webster Award Recipient) – Jersey City n Leigh Ann Murduca – Jersey City n Doris Nicholson – Jersey City n Lawrence R. Schiner – Jersey City n Czar Wiley – North Bergen n Eugene Napoleon – West New York n 1966 West New York American Little League – West NY
WE REMEMBER, WE HONOR
F r a n k ’ s Q u a l i t y U s e d Tr u c k s
2023 GMC Terrain Elevation 2022 Sierra 2500 HD SLE AWD
4WD Double Cab
BUY FOR: $23,884
BUY FOR: $41,184
Stock # 8932, Vin PL230034, 15,143 miles, 1.5L Turbo, Automatic., Remote Start, Bluetooth . Price includes Dealer Doc Fee.
Stock#8893, vin#NF279752, 6.6L V8 gas, Automatic, 48,606 miles, bluetooth, remote start, heated steering wheel, rear view camera, cruise control, keyless entry.Price incl. Dealer doc fee.
2024 DODGE RAM 2500
Promaster Cargo High Roof
BUY FOR: $35,384
Lowles Mi
Stock#8947, vin#103307, 3.6L V6, Automatic, 8281 miles, Bin Package, Ladder Rack, Passenger double seat, Cargo partition with sliding window. Price incl. Dealer doc fee.
Prices include all costs to be paid by consumer except licensing costs, registration fees and taxes. Expires 6/1/26
325 Orient Way Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
201-939-7708
www.FranksGMC.com hablamos espanol