Hudson County Sports Hall Of Fame Announces Inductees

Press release from the Hudson County Executive:

Nov. 16, 2022

Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise proudly announced that the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame inducted 15 remarkable Hudson County athletes into its ranks at the Hall’s 25th Dinner and Awards Ceremony in the St. Peter’s University Duncan Family Sky Room last month

The Hall also honored Shaheen Holloway and the St. Peter’s University Men’s Basketball Team with The Inaugural Elnardo Webster Award for Excellence as part of a ceremony sure to be full of wonderful memories any many tearful reunions of players, coaches, family and friends.
The 2022 inductee class includes: Richard Freda, William “Willie” Wilkes, Terry Dehere, Grover Edwards, Brian Ellerson, Angela Zampella, Lou Taglieri, Tiffany Aciz-Meyer, Danny Ortiz, Wilmer Torres, Tim McManus, Pete Mancini, Robert Belfiore, and Dave Weber. (See brief biographies of the honorees included below.)

This year’s class is a wonderful mix of greats in a range of sports across different eras. The evening will be a delightful opportunity to honor these men and women who proudly represented their schools, our county, and our nation in venues in our neighborhoods and around the world. Hudson County Commissioners Kenneth Kopacz and Anthony L. Romano will serve as co-masters of ceremonies. Both are members of the HCSHF’s Board of Trustees.

Inductee Biographies

Richard Freda
Richard “Richie” Freda was introduced to basketball at Our Lady of Mount Carmel grammar school in Jersey City. His grammar school teams won the CYO School Championships. Former St. Peter’s Peacock great, Tom Gaynor, coached Richie at St. Anthony’s High School, where Tom coached Richard along with other great players to a perfect 16-0 season as City Champs. His Sophomore and Junior years 1968-69 as a Friar they were Parochial C St. Anthony’s State Champs the first two in school history. His senior year he averaged 20 points a game. All City selection.
At Mercer CCC he played and scored 23 points in the 1973 National JUCO Title in Kansas against the favored home team Hutchinson CCC with 10,000 fans against them. Fans to this day remember the 80-61 beat down.
At Hartwick College Rich was named MVP both years in tournaments at Bryant and E. Stroudsberg Colleges the latter the Pocono Classic. His junior year 1976 his team went to the National Div 11 Championships and lost in Quarteers to Marvin Webster led Morgan State by a 58-54 score. After playing a couple of years in Oneonta, he stayed on to coach there for 1 year. His coaching would continue at Ramapo College for five years also.
Richie also worked for JC DPW for 30 years and retired in 2020. He dabbled in politics running for 1997 Senate and 1999 Assembly seats in the 31st District and 2001 Ward A Council. He lost all three elections by small margins but to his family he's been a winner all his life.

William Bernard Wilkes II
William Bernard Wilkes II also lovingly known in his sports world as “Willie Wilkes” is a 1986 Graduate of St Peter’s Prep. Wilkes captained the 1985 county championship and state final team which finished 10-1, the most wins by a Prep team ever at that time. Wilkes led the county in interceptions that year with 7 and led a St. Peter's defense that posted 4 shutouts en route to outscoring their county opposition 198-30. In the championship game against his hometown North Bergen. Wilkes intercepted 2 passes, running the second one back for a record 89 yards to clinch a 14-6 victory and Prep's first football championship since 1958. That Prep team would go on to face Don Bosco Prep in the school's first state playoff game. In that game Wilkes led the team in rushing and passing yards. Scoring touchdowns in both categories. Wilkes led the defense with 2 tackles for loss, blocking a field goal and an extra point, securing Prep's first playoff victory and berth in the state finals. At the end of the season Wilkes was named Lion's Club Defensive Player of the Year. Also earning All County and Parochial All State honors as both a WR and DB. Wilkes earned a scholarship to Rutgers University where he was a 3 year letter winner. His biggest RU highlight came his senior year when he intercepted 2 passes against SEC opponent Kentucky, running one back for a touchdown to seal a 24-8 victory. That week he was named "National Player of the Week" by The National and East Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week. Wilkes majored in Economics and upon graduation went back to coach for 18 seasons at his alma mater St. Peter's Prep. He helped to lead the school to 2 State Championships ('94 & "05) and Top 5 National Rankings. The 2005 season was most special because he was able to share it with his son, Khalil Wilkes ‘09, who started several games on that team as a Freshman. P-R-E-P PREP PREP PREP.

Terry Dehere
Dehere was born in New York City but grew up in Jersey City. He played basketball under Coach Bob Hurley while attending St. Anthony's High School in Jersey City. Dehere played for Seton Hall from 1989 until 1993, where he had held the school and conference record with 2,494 career points, as well as school career records for 3-point field goals made and 3-point field goals attempted. Dehere also holds single season records for 3-point field goals made and 3-point field goal percentage. He was named Big East Player of the Year in the 1992–93 season, as well as Conference Tournament MVP.
He was selected 13th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1993 NBA Draft. He played for the Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies averaging 8.0 ppg during his NBA career, which spanned six seasons. Dehere also played two seasons in Germany. In January 2002, Dehere signed with the Florida Flame of the National Basketball Development League (NBDL).
In 1994, Dehere donated $75,000 to rehabilitate the Garfield Park basketball court where he had played in his youth. He also worked with others in the community to rebuild the youth recreational basketball program at the park. The court was renamed by the City of Jersey City in Dehere's honor. After retiring from the NBA, Dehere returned to his hometown of Jersey City.

Grover Edwards Jr.
A 1977 graduate of Bayonne High School, Grover was given three rules when he started playing football; First, keep your grades up. Second, “listen to learn” and give it your all. Third, once you start some thing finish it. Those were the rules that allowed Glover to excel in football and life.

In 1975, Grover was voted All County defense of back of the year. All the while playing dual positions, not only was Grover the quarterback he also played defensive back.

In 1976, Grover was named MVP of Bayonne High Schools football team. Grover was the first black starting quarterback for Bayonne High School‘s varsity football team. He lead the team to its first playoff in the schools history. Later leading the team to state championships.

In 1976 Grover was named the following; preseason all American, second team all county defensive player, first team all county defensive player of the year, first team all state, Hudson County back of the year, and parade all American second team. He was also named; all state, all conference, all county, and all American team.

Grover was recruited by over 50 name worthy colleges. He chose to attend Penn State University, going on to play in the Fiesta, Cotton, Sugar and Liberty Bowls.

Brian Ellerson
Brian Ellerson, a Jersey City native, attended Hudson Catholic from 1993-1998. Ellerson was a three time 1st Team All Hudson County. In 1998, he was named County Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, as well as the 1st Team All State Utility Player. He finished his senior year by being recognized as the USA Today 1998 3rd Team All Northeast Region. He also had over 100 hits in his varsity career. After a successful high school career, Ellerson attended Montclair State University, where he played shortstop. While at Montclair, Ellerson was a 1999 All NJAC Freshman Team. In 2000, he was named 1st Team All American NJAC Player of the Year and also division 3 national player of the year. The summer of 2000 he played in he cape cod league where he was selected to the all star game. In 2001, Ellerson was named 1st Team All NJAC and 2nd Team All American. Before tearing his ACL in the regional final Ellerson was baseball Americas second rated college shortstop. In 2002, he was named 2nd Team All NJAC. Ellerson set the hit streak record at Montclair with 31 games in a row. In 2000 Montclair won the division 3 national championship also in 2001 Montclair went to the World Series before losing in the second round.
Ellerson was a thirteen round draft pick for the Montreal Expos. In 2003, he played for the Savannah Sand Gnats, where he was an all star in the south Atlantic league. He continued playing for the Expos for four seasons, making it to Double-A and playing in two big league spring training games.
In 2006, Ellerson's career ended after suffering a knee injury during spring training. He has been a Jersey City firefighter for the past nine years, in addition to working in the Carpenter's Union for the past 19 years. children, Brian Patrick and Mara Rae.

Angela Zampella
Angela Zampella, a three-time recipient of Hudson County Player of the Year, has enjoyed a remarkable basketball career. She was 1st team All Area multiple times and led the county in scoring in 1995. Along with being selected 1st Team All State and Daily News All Area, she scored over 1800 career points. After high school, Angela attended Saint Joseph’s University, where she earned Honors playing in the Big 5 and Atlantic 10 every season of her career. A member of the Hawks 1999 A10 Championship Team, she played in two NCAA Tournaments, winning three Big 5 titles.
Further, Angela received Honorable Mention on the Associated Press All American Team. She is the schools all-time leader in assists, 788 in total, and holds a single game record of 17. At the 2000 USA Jones Cup, held in Taiwan, Angela’s team won the Gold Medal. Finally, her astonishing career is commemorated, as Angela was inducted to the Saint Joseph’s University Athletics and Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, in addition to The Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame.
After Graduation, she spent 10 years playing professionally overseas. Currently, Angela works for the Recreation Department in her beloved native city of Hoboken.

Louis Taglieri
Louis Taglieri attended and played football for Hoboken High School from 1977 -1979. During his high school football career, Louis achieved several accolades such as “All Conference Athlete of the Week” against Lincoln High school (‘77/’78) and “All Conference Quarterback/Defensive Back” (‘78/’79). Wanting to be the first in his family to graduate from college he went on to attend and play football for St. Peter's College. In St. Peter’s, he was a 3 year starter at Middle Guard, made 1982/83 All Conference, and 1983/84 All Conference/All East Division III.
Afterwards, Louis joined the United States Air Force in which he served as a USAF Aircraft Armament Instructor. While in the Air Force, Mr. Taglieri continued his education and graduated from Saint Leo’s College with a double major in Sociology and Criminology. Thereafter, he completed his education courses and began working immediately in Hoboken, not only as a teacher (2000 -2020) but as Assistant Defensive Line coach (1995-2004) for Mr. Stinson. Mr. Taglieri became head coach in 2005 going on to win 4 State Championships (2005, 2012, 2013, and 2015). He stepped down from head coach in 2017 but continued to support and mentor both the coaches and players.

Tiffany Aciz Meyer
Tiffany Meyer was an 11 Varsity Letter athlete for Secaucus High School.
Tiffany was a member of the 1997 Group 1 State Championship volleyball team, as well as the 1998 and 1999 undefeated BCSL, Hudson County, and State Group 1 Championship team. In 2000 Tiffany was a member of the BCSL, Hudson County and State Group 1 Championship volleyball team.
Some individual achievements and post season honors are as follows: Volleyball: 1999- 1st Team All-League, 1st all-county, 1st team All-State Group 1, and 2nd all-team/all groups. 2000- 1st Team All-League, 1st All-County, 1st All-State Group 1, and 1st All State/All groups. Tiffany was selected Hudson County Player of the Year by the Star Ledger, Athlete of the Week by the Jersey Journal, Most Valuable Player of the Hudson County Tournament, selected to play in the NJSCA All-Start Volleyball Game, and was named Star Ledger’s All-Around gem. Tiffany’s game wins to loss in volleyball was 111-1. Tiffany held the school record in 1999 for the most digs in a season of 207, tied with 94% digging, 39 digs in a match during the State Finals against Bogota, and most blockers in a match in the State Finals with 12.
In basketball, Tiffany held the school record for free throws in a career of 205, most rebounds in a single game of 27, and most assists in a game of 15. And during her softball career, she has 100 hits, 78 RBI’s, 96 runs scored, 49 stolen base attempts our of 50, and a career batting average of .474%.
Tiffany was the recipient of the 2001 “National Women in Sports Day Award,” and the second female recipient of the Hudson County Athlete of the Year for both boys and girls.

Danny Ortiz
Danny Ortiz was not only one of the greatest pitchers in the state in 1990 and 1991, he was also one of the nest clutch hitters during that time also.
In 1990, Danny won the Hudson County Championship while pitching a no-hitter to beat a very talented Hudson Catholic team 3-0. He also beat #1 in the Country, Elizabeth High School 3-0 giving up only four hits and picking off three runners at first base. He also hit a home run to put the Red Wings up 1-0. Danny was selected as the 1990 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year as the best baseball player in the State of New Jersey.
In 1991, Danny won the County Championship game while pitching a one-hitter against Marist High School, wining 3-0, striking out 16 batters. Danny was one of the main reasons why Hoboken High School was ranked as high as #3 in the Country in USA Today.
In 1990 and 1991, Danny had a 17-1 record with 229 strike outs in 127 innings and gave up only 56 hits and 13 earned runs. His incredible ERA was 0.72 during that span. He was a lifetime .393 hitter throughout his high school career. He batted .477 in his senior year.
Danny was selected 1st Team All-State, First All-County, First Team All-Group 4 and the the Faa's Dream Team in both 1990 and 1991. He was signed to play professional ball with the Milwaukee Brewer then the Chicago Cubs by Ed Ford.

Wilmer Torres
Wilmer Torres graduated from Union Hill High School in 1997 as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,931 career points. After earning honorable mention All-County honors as a freshman, he followed with 3 consecutive first team All-County seasons. He became a 1,000-point scorer his junior year and led the county in scoring both his sophomore and junior seasons, averaging 29 and 27 points per game. His senior year he was an All State selection, averaging 25 per game. Wilmer continued his career at Rutgers-Newark before an ankle injury after his freshman year ended his college career. Wilmer was also an All-County defensive back in football his junior and senior seasons in 1996 and 1997 and was a three-year starter.

Tim McManus
In Track and Field, coached by Hall of Fame member Ira Wolfe, Tim became the first and only Hudson County High School athlete to throw the Javelin 200+ feet. Tim accomplished this feat 17 times and remains to this day the holder of the Hudson County record of 204 feet 3 inches. This toss is one of the oldest records still on the County books. Tim was a 3 time first team All County selection (1975, 1976 and 1977) and was also a New Jersey State Sectional champion in each of those same three years. Since 1976, Tim remains the holder of the State Sectional record. In addition, Tim was the Javelin Champion at the prestigious 1976 New York Relays and also the AAU Junior Championships held at St. John University. During his senior year in 1977, Tim was selected to compete at the Coca Cola International Prep Track Meet held at Northwestern University. It was there where he was named to the 1977 All-American team. Tim was awarded a track and field scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin where he competed for the Longhorns in the Southwest Conference. During his career with the Longhorns Tim finished in the top ten in the javelin throw in 1978 and with his efforts aided the Longhorns to the Southwest Conference Championship. Tim's ability to throw the javelin enables Texas to be a perennial power in the Southwest Conference. Tim stays involved with track through officiating. Tim has officiated at the Hudson County Championships as well as the New Jersey State Track and Field Championships for the last 15 years. Tim was selected to the Hudson County Track Association Hall of Fame in 2021.

Pete Mancini
Pete Mancini holds the distinction of having been drafted three times by Major League organizations. An All-County and 2nd Team All-State high school player in his senior year at West New York's Memorial High School, Pete was drafted by the Boston Red Sox. Opting to attend Seton Hall University instead, his collegiate career included being named the MVP of the Big East Tournament in his senior season. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers while in college and finally by the Baltimore Orioles following graduation, spending a season in the Orioles organization. Pete's coaching career has included a stint at North Bergen High School. In addition to his terrific baseball credentials, Pete is also a 17-year veteran of the North Hudson Fire Department.

David Weber
In 1992-1993, Dave Weber was a dominant force in Hudson County with both his powerful pitching arm and bat. He was not only recognized as one of the best players in the state but also players to watch throughout the country by Major League teams. Finishing his high school career with a 30-3 pitching record, totaling 296 strikeouts. Dave never lost a game in Hudson County. In 1990 Dave finished with a 3-1 pitching record with three saves. Pitching 20 ⅓ innings, finishing with a 1.37 ERA with 23 strikeouts. In 1991 Dave finished the season with a 6-1 pitching record, striking out 69 along with 5 saves including a big save coming in to pitch for his older brother Ray to help Marist win the State Championship. In 1992 Dave was perfect with an 11-0 pitching record. This pitching record included 100 strikeouts in 69 ⅓ innings pitched and an ERA under 1.0. While batting .473 he was selected to 1st team All State Parochial, 1st team All County, and Hudson County Player of the Year winning the Hudson County Championship against Hoboken High School. In 1993 Dave finished with another strong pitching performance going 10-1 with 104 strikeouts, batting .382. This year he would go on to win his second Hudson County Championship, pitching a one hitter against North Bergen High School. Dave led the 1st Team All State, 1st Team All County, and was named Hudson Reporter Player of the Year. Dave was highly recruited to play baseball at the University of Kentucky but was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 30th round in the 1993 MLB draft and signed to play Professional Baseball.

Robert Belfiore
Chief Bob Belfiore is one of the two originators of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New Jersey. In 1984 the NJ Law Enforcement Torch Run was founded. Bob was given the job of putting together this new fundraiser that was only being done in one other state in the US. The first Torch Run was started in Liberty State Park and went to Rutgers University in New Brunswick. We followed the lead of the originator of the Law Enforcement Torch Run from Wichita,Kansas. In 1984 Bob was appointed Deputy Director of Law Enforcement for Special Olympics. He held that position for eight years and then was appointed Director of NJ Law Enforcement for Special Olympics and he continues to hold that position. This is Torch Run's 39th year since it was founded in NJ. Bob leads a team of 39 Law Enforcement officers from throughout the State of NJ who work year round raising funds and awareness for SO athletes. The Port Authority of NY&NJ Police Department is considered the founding agency in the state of NJ to support children, adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities. Bob's Law enforcement background spanded 36 years in two Police departments,the city of Newark and of course the PA of NY&NJ PD. The first year the Law Enforcement Torch Run made $7,000 and ran 36 miles. 39 years later, there are 3,000 Police Officers running 26 legs covering 900 miles throughout the State of NJ and raising over 4 million dollars annually. Each year,Bob asked his state committee to increase the earnings of the Torch Run by adding not only the Torch Run itself but other fund raisers during the year.This has been very successful. In 2022 we have raised over 63 million dollars for SONJ athletes and doing this with a completely voluntary committee that Bob heads up. Since there are no salaries for Bob or the Law Enforcement Officers on the State committee of NJ, 100% of the money raised goes to SONJ to help fund programs to enrich the lives of citizens with intellectual disabilities. Bob's background in policing includes being a graduate of the FBI National Academy and US Secret Service Dignitary Protection School. He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Police Association, the Italian American Police Society of NJ and a member of the Special Olympics Board of Trustees. During his career Bob has been awarded the Executive Director's Unit Citation for his involvement with the Special Olympics, the Humanitarian Award of the IAPSNJ, NJ Man of the Year and SONJ Hall of Fame and the International Law Enforcement Hall of Fame for his work with Special Olympics.

This press release was produced by the Hudson County Executive. The views expressed here are the author's own.