Hoboken Legends: 'Milt' and 'Spider' Were 2 Shining Red Wing Examples

Two Red Wing Shining Examples: Milt and “Spider”

By Dennis Sevano

The University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College in the Green Mountains had a fierce basketball rivalry over the years.

In 1960s Hoboken, Red Wing stars played critical roles in that legendary competition.

Milt Goggans of Vermont made his last shot as a player sending the ball over Ralph “Spider” Coleman of St. Michael’s for the win. Both learned their defense and offensives basketball skills from Coach Frank Chiocco at Demarest, then Hoboken High School in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

Mr. Goggans emerged from Daniel Kealey School, named after a former veteran and superintendent of schools in the 20’s. He then proceeded to Demarest High with headline stars John Wendelken and George Montecalvo. Milt’s play secured a scholarship to the University of Vermont where his significant court crafts earned him a place in the Vermont Basketball Hall of Fame and a B.S. degree too. His talent eventually led to his induction into the AJ Demarest/Hoboken Sports Hall of Fame.

What made Milt really stand out was not only his hoop magic but his military service as a commissioned officer in the US Army with the 82nd Airborne 1st Infantry Division in Viet Nam. Mr. Goggans received decorations and medals ranging from the Viet-Nam service medal, Bronze Star, National Defense Medal and an overseas Service Bar.

After military service, an army buddy led him to explore corporate possibilities with a few job placement networks. The pharmaceutical industry was a growing market at the time, and this became his career path working in the drug treatment of various diseases through Squibb and other firms, eventually becoming Vice-Presidents of sales.

Going forward Milt also served in many mentorship programs of sales and was a selected as a Board Trustee of his Alma mater. He now lives in Chevy Chase Maryland with his wife Beverly whom he credits with keeping him grounded through many career advancements and family moves from one state to another.

In a parallel path, coming from No. 9 - the Thomas G. Connors school (named after an outstanding player, coach and educator) located at 201 Monroe Street, was Ralph “Spider” Coleman. Ralph was schooled at Connors in the late 50’s, entering Hoboken High in the early 60’s. A kind-hearted, soft-spoken student, he graduated mid-term, in January 1964. His quiet demeanor didn’t carry over to the basketball court, where Ralph played with intensity and energy. He emerged as the core member of a group of outstanding high school basketball stars of his day. His team was a well-balanced group, relying on skill not just height - with no one over 6 feet 3 inches tall.

Ralph “Spider” Coleman made an impression on everyone by displaying a total basketball awareness on the court, like quick chess movements on the hardwood above and below the rim.

Ken Johnston, a former teammate said, “You couldn’t ask for a more defined all-around basketball talent, quiet in the halls and classrooms, but never on the hardwood.”

The team won the North Hudson Championship but because of a mid-term graduation, key players were lost, including “Spider.” The County Championship, played at the Jersey City Armory, led to a loss to a talented Bayonne team, on a controversial call, costing the Red Wings the County Championship.

However, Ralph didn’t go unnoticed – and St. Michael’s of Vermont offered him a full scholarship. Mr. Coleman accepted and true to form, excelled in Vermont on the court years, later being inducted into the St. Michael’s Sports Hall of Fame and AJ Demarest/Hoboken High Hall of Fame, as well. “Spider” went on to obtain a degree in Special Education at Jersey City State College.

Ralph went on to serve in the Peace Corps, traveling to the Caribbean and to Africa for a number of years, learning to speak several languages. He married his wife in Mozambique.

Returning to the states, Ralph turned to education in the Jersey City School system, teaching special education.

In 2012, after a long bout of cancer, Ralph passed away, but his friend Milt Goggans said, “I even married his cousin and also squeezed in my last shot in Vermont since I had a broader bottom than my man ‘Spider.’”

We have two significant Red Wing basketball players from the Mile Square who journeyed north to play ball, but their SERVICE in the Army and Peace Corps was over and beyond the rim - a joyful journey!

Special thanks in preparing this article, to Livio Capilla, a veteran who graduated St. Michael’ s College of Vermont. Thanks also go to basketball teammates, Ken Johnston and Ed Groomes.

Dennis Sevano was born and raised in Hoboken. He writes frequently about sports figures and notables in the Mile Square City. He currently resides in Teaneck.