2017
|
Willie Mulligan
A lifelong resident of the Cherry Hill section, Willie Mulligan was a true Elmwood Park loyalist.
He graduated from East Paterson High School in 1963 and was drafted into the United States Army in 1965, proudly serving our Country in Vietnam. He was Commander of the Elmwood Park VFW Post 5084 for 33 years. Under Willie Mulligan’s skillful leadership, the Scotty Beckett Softball League flourished. A player-manager for 31 years, his teams amassed over 1,000 victories and 22 playoff championships. More importantly, he built and maintained a much-needed recreational outlet for the men of the Elmwood Park community. Many of our former inductees continued their athletic careers in the Scotty Beckett Softball League, granting an opportunity to many “weekend warriors” for the chance to remain active and prolong their playing days for decades. In its prime, the League boasted both a Sunday and Weeknight League, consisting of 26 teams. The one constant behind the League's growth was Willie Mulligan. Willie Mulligan was inducted into the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. The 1961 East Paterson High School championship football team, on which he played, was inducted ten years later in 2014. Willie Mulligan was long a supporter of the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame and regular attendee at the Annual Dinner. A pillar of the community, his commitment and generosity to the student-athletes of Elmwood Park remains an inspiration to all and will never be forgotten. He will be truly missed. |
|
Mayor Richard a. mola
Mayor Richard Mola was among the most experienced government officials in New Jersey, with a political career that spanned 48 years. At the time, he was retired from his job as educator and guidance counselor and was working full-time in government. Then serving his 45th year at Elmwood Park’s helm, his mayoral tenure was the longest in borough history, second longest in the state, and fifth in the country. The late Mayor is also the only local resident to have been elected to county-wide office. He was a Freeholder for 23 years—the longest such tenure in modern Bergen County history. Combined, his local and county government service amounted to 70 years.
From its inception, Mayor Mola supported and encouraged the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame, a natural outgrowth of his own athleticism. Growing up in Lodi in a time of no formal sports for youngsters, Richard played sandlot ball—every day. He began playing with organized teams in Lodi High School, where he was football team quarterback and baseball shortstop, earning three varsity letters in each. Also on the Lodi Boys Club team, he and a teammate won the fastest double play combination in Bergen County two years in a row. He continued to play baseball—always as shortstop—two years for the U.S. Army in Fort Lewis, Washington, for the Minor League Benignos, and for William Paterson University. He was on WPU’s historic 1959 baseball team, the first in the university’s history to qualify for a national tournament and in 2013 inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame. His many years of play led not only to his coaching Baseball and Football at Westwood High School, but also to a lifelong appreciation of athletic ability and achievement. He will be truly missed. |
|
Jack t. cleelandJack Cleeland was a life-long resident of East Paterson/Elmwood Park. He attended Paterson Eastside High School, where he starred on the football team as a halfback and on the track team where he set the PVC record in the 220 yard dash and where he was the lead runner on the ¼ mile relay team that also set the PVC record. The track team finished 3rd in the State and the records he set were not broken for another 18 years. He was affectionately nicknamed the “ORCHARD STREET STREAK” because of his amazing speed.
Jack served his country during World War II as a proud member of the US Marine Corp.. After the war, he played semi-pro baseball with the 20th CENTURY EP baseball team and semi-pro football with the CLIFTON RAMS and the EAST PATERSON EAGLES. He settled down, got married and he filled his spare time by joining the various civic groups in town; as a member of the ELKS for 27 years, and the VFW and AMERICAN LEGION for over 50 years each. He served on the Zoning Board for 17 years and is a charter member of FIRE COMPANY # 4. He was elected to the BOARD of EDUCATION and proudly served for over 33 years. In the late 60’s, he started and coached the AMERICAN LEGION baseball team, which played in the premier summer baseball league for high school students. His team won a Bergen County American Legion Championship in the early 70’s. He spent his days as a laborer and eventually, he became President of the Ironworkers Local # 483. He was recently honored as the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade this past summer and he was one of a few recognized in the Centennial Celebration Parade for his many contributions. In 1962, Jack Cleeland got behind the microphone to announce the very first CRUSADER FOOTBALL GAME. He would continue as the High School football announcer for another 47 years plus. On September 17, 2016, at the first home game on the new artificial turf field, Jack was honored in a pre-game ceremony as the legendary “VOICE“ of the Crusaders and celebrated for his 47 years of dedication to the student-athletes of Elmwood Park. Jack was inducted into the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1991 and served as a committee member for all 25 years. Last October, he was honored by the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievement, being named the 3rd Greatest Moment in East Paterson/Elmwood Park Sports History. It is truly evident that he touched so many lives in such a profound way. (Special Thanks to Phil Moriarty for sharing this tribute to an EP Legend). He will be truly missed. |
2018
|
Louis KurtzLouis Kurtz was a great community leader and the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame committee mourned the loss of a valued member, whose contributions to our organization spanned a total of 25 years.
Born in Paterson, Lou was a lifelong resident of East Paterson/Elmwood Park. He was a graduate of Pope Pious High School, where he was an outstanding baseball and football player. Lou was later employed by the Elmwood Park Post Office for 42 years and also served as a member of the New Jersey National Guard. He was a parishioner of St. Leo's R.C. Church in Elmwood Park. In addition to his 25 years of service to the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame, Lou supported the youth of Elmwood Park. He coached the St. Leo's Hockey Club for many years and served on the Elmwood Park Board of Recreation, providing valuable assistance to Elmwood Park’s numerous sports programs throughout the years. Lou was also a well-respected long-time umpire and member of the Bergen County Umpires Association. Most of all, Lou was loved and admired by all who came across him. He was a man of high character, sincere and trustworthy. A devoted husband and father, and a loyal friend, Lou Kurtz was always there to lend a helping hand. He was a great guy, a friend to all, and a mentor to the youth of Elmwood Park. Like many community heroes, his contributions often came with little acknowledgement or reward. He will be truly missed. |
2019
|
2020
2021
|
2022
|