Hudson County Community College has hired Carlos Cueto as Women’s Basketball Head Coach (left), and Ethan Nardone as Men’s Basketball Head Coach.

February 4, 2026, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has hired two head basketball coaches with winning records who are committed to player development. The coaches were hired as the College prepares to inaugurate an athletics program at the HCCC Center for Student Success, which is currently under construction. 

“We are excited to have Carlos Cueto and Ethan Nardone work with HCCC Director of Athletics Jonathan Sisk in organizing, launching, and leading our basketball programs,” said HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber. “With their experience and passionate commitment to developing students who excel in academics and athletics, Carlos and Ethan will motivate our student athletes to give their best on and off the court.”

Carlos Cueto, the Head Coach for HCCC Women’s Basketball, is revered as a player and coach. The former University of Richmond point guard finished his playing career as the “#3 All-Time” in assists. He was named All-County at St. Anthony’s High School in Jersey City, where he played on two state championship teams. Mr. Cueto coached Union City Girls’ Basketball to state sectional and league championships. He mentored many student athletes who earned athletic and academic scholarships. 

The two-time “Hudson County Coach of the Year” led Secaucus High School Boys’ Basketball to their first league championship in over 20 years. His basketball academy in Union City helps youth ages nine and up improve their game. Mr. Cueto taught History and Financial Literacy at Union Hill High School. He holds a Master’s degree in Supervision and Administration in Education from Saint Peter’s University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Richmond. 

Ethan Nardone, the Head Coach for HCCC Men’s Basketball, is a National Basketball Association operations specialist who coached National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Divisions I and III, and high school teams. Mr. Nardone led the Abraham Joshua Heschel School Boys’ Varsity Basketball to their first postseason appearance since 2019 and coached two Yeshiva League Pass All-Star game selections. As Men’s Basketball Video Coordinator for Iona College, he tracked game defensive efficiency and strategic adjustments and maintained a recruiting database, scouting reports, and player practice breakdowns. Mr. Nardone was the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach for State University of New York at Canton and Potsdam teams, and Franklin and Marshall College. In these roles, he rebuilt rosters, helped improve player scoring range, and led teams to winning seasons. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Stony Brook University and attended St. John’s University School of Law. 

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River View Observer Sports Contributor

The Hoboken Rockets demonstrated that heart, experience, and teamwork remain essential in hockey.

Entering the Winter 2025 American Dream Hockey League playoffs as underdogs, the Red Hoboken Rockets rallied from a 4–8 regular-season record to capture the league championship, shutting out Momma’s Boys 3–0 in the title game at The Arena at American Dream.

The championship run was anything but predictable. After barely qualifying for postseason play, the Rockets caught fire at the right time, winning three straight playoff games with disciplined play, balanced scoring, and strong goaltending.

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    Photo Credit Al Sullivan

  Photo Courtesy of Pete Amadeo-

https://NewJersey. New12.COM

      Saturday, May 3, was a great day in Bayonne. More than a thousand people came out for the dedication ceremony for the new Buddy Baseball field at 11th Street and Avenue E. Buddy Baseball, a great program for children with special needs, has become a cherished part of the community during its ten-year history. In Buddy Baseball, volunteers assist special needs players during the games.

The ceremony marked the happy completion of a $2.4 million construction project that began in September 2024. The City of Bayonne received money for the construction from the federal, state, county governments, and local developers.  Known to many as the Field of Dreams, the renovated ballpark includes a new playing area, artificial turf, bleachers, fencing, handicap access, and an adjoining playground.   We would like to thank all of the public and private sector funders who made this wonderful project possible.   The skilled workers of Picerno-Giordano Construction of Kenilworth built the facility and got it done on time for the start of baseball season.  Public Works Director Tommy Cotter and City Engineer Rob Russo worked hard on this project from start to finish.    

In a special part of the ceremony, the new scoreboard was unveiled to reveal that the City of Bayonne has named the facility Pete Amadeo Field.  Pete, our Superintendent of Recreation, established Buddy Baseball in Bayonne and has made it one of the best recreational programs in our community’s history.  Each day, he leads our Recreation Division with energy and enthusiasm. Naming the field in Pete’s honor was one of Bayonne’s best-kept secrets.  He had no idea that this was happening until the unveiling took place.

I am extremely happy that Pete Amadeo Field is completed and open for the 2025 Buddy Baseball season.  It will provide fun and excitement for children and families for years to come.    

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Marist has a new mindset and a singular goal: to be champions

 [Bayonne, NJ, December 10, 2018] Basketball is back in a big way at Marist High School with several key developments that demonstrate a growing investment and a new, winning attitude.  Boys Head Coach Ben Gamble most recently led the program at Mater Dei and is a former St. Anthonyâ€s assistant under the legendary Bob Hurley. Coach Gamble and the Royal Knights are poised to dominate their division.  A recent NJ.com/Star-Ledger pre-season ranking placed Marist at #14 in the state based on the returning talent, strength of schedule, and competitive coaching staff.

 The Girls team under the watchful eye of Head Coach Reggie Quinn boasts one of the top players on the East Coast and an impressive squad of mentally tough teammates.

 The basketball season begins with two powerhouse match-ups on Friday, December 14, 2018, when the Marist Boys will host Snyder High School and the Marist Lady Knights travel to Snyder. 

 In addition, for the first time, Marist will provide live-streaming of home games through a partnership with D1 Media and the NFHS Network, allowing you to watch the games on your computer, phone, or tablet. $9.95 a month will give you full access to the available live games and immediate access to On Demand content.

 â€œWe are making it easier than ever to watch the games and cheer our students/athletes as they put Marist back on the map in Northern New Jersey sports circles,” according to Peter G. Kane, President of Marist High School. Marist has put up impressive numbers so far and is undefeated in pre-season play.

 Live-streaming is available through nfhsnetwork.com.

 Marist, already the site of the largest high school gymnasium in Hudson County, will unveil a new Visitors Locker Room at the season opener on December 14^th. New lighting, benches, whiteboards, and bathroom facilities show that Marist wants the competition to know they’re serious about contending for the title.

Marist High School is a Catholic, college preparatory, co-educational school.

The school creates a community of lifelong, faith-filled learners who are prepared to take their places as enlightened, educated members of a complex, diverse society.

Marist’s commitment to excellence fosters the development of mind, body, and spirit through a partnership of families, faculty, school board, and staff by offering a curriculum that challenges an academically diverse student body.

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  Film Premieres in Bayonne at Frank Theatres, Friday, May 12

 â€œSometimes life is like a movie; sometimes its better,” – Chuck Wepner as portrayed by Liev Schreiber in the new film, CHUCK

By Sally Deering

Like the Rocky character Sylvester Stallone created based on Chuck Wepnerâ€s 1976 loss in the ring to Muhammad Ali, Chuck Wepnerâ€s match with Ali has been a huge part of his life. Five years ago, the documentary The Real Rocky aired on PBS and coming up on Fri, May 12, CHUCK starring Liev Schreiber premieres at the Frank Theatres at South Cove Commons in Bayonne. Directed by Philippe Falardeau, the film follows Wepnerâ€s life before and after his March 24, 1975 fight with Muhammad Ali. MAD MEN star Elizabeth Moss, Naomi Watts, and Ron Perlman co-star; and according to IMDB, CHUCKâ€s writing credits go to Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer and Liev Schreiber.

Live Schreiber as Chuck Wepner in the new

film CHUCK

Bruce Dillin, Wepnerâ€s PR man and owner of Dillinâ€s Tires in Bayonne, where he installed a museum of memorabilia from Wepnerâ€s career, and where Wepner sometimes gives press conferences, says the upcoming film premiere on May 12 is going to rock Bayonneâ€s world.

“Itâ€s the biggest thing to happen to Bayonne, ever,” Dillin says. “Over the years, Chuck was known as the real Rocky, but he never got the acknowledgement for that. He went to court and was given his acknowledgement from Warner Brothers studios that he is the real life Rocky. People were interested in the story, it eventually developed into a documentary, then a movie.”

These days, Wepner is swept away in TV appearances and speaking engagements to promote the show, Dillin says. He has done several talk shows with star Live Schreiber, director Faiardeau, and other members of the cast. Dillin attended the North American Premiere of CHUCK in Toronto, in September, and last Friday, Dillin, Wepner and Wepnerâ€s wife Linda attended the Tribeca Film Festival where the movie was premiering in New York. Meanwhile, Wepner, at 77, continues to stay in shape, especially for the filmâ€s busy PR campaign.

“He works out every day,” Dillin says.

Wepner had a 35-14-2 lifetime record in a 14-year career that ended in 1978. It was March 24, 1975, when Wepner boxed 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and lost with a broken nose, cuts over his eyes and a bruised ego. But what the Bayonne boxer didnâ€t know was that an unknown named Sylvester Stallone was watching the fight on his TV set and three days later would write the screenplay to ROCKY based on Wepner. The film would become a major hit in 1976 and win three Academy Awards, earning Stallone fame and fortune. Yo! Letâ€s not forget the sequels, too.

More than 20 years later, Wepner sued Stallone over the use of his life story, and the case was settled out-of-court for an undisclosed sum. Since then, the boxer and the actor have been on good terms, Wepner said.

In 2011, Wepnerâ€s life was the subject of The Real Rocky an ESPN documentary on Wepnerâ€s championship boxing career and the backstory behind his bout with Ali. The one-hour documentary was directed by CHUCK screenwriter Jeff Feuerzeig, an award-winning director whose feature film The Devil and Daniel Johnston won top documentary directing honors at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.  On ESPN.go.com, Feuerzeig, who grew up in New Jersey, explained his inspiration for making the Wepner documentary.

“Iâ€ve been a Chuck Wepner fan ever since 1975, when I was 10 years old and my father took my brother and me to Sports Night at the Raritan High School gymnasium in Hazlet to see Chuck, aka ‘The Bayonne Bleeder,†just months before he was set to go up against Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title,” Feuerzeig told ESPN. “There were no figures who loomed larger in this 10 year-oldâ€s imagination than Evel Knievel, Andre the Giant and, especially, Muhammad Ali – “The Greatest” – and here was a 6-foot-5 behemoth (Wepner) in a full-length fur coat…and a ridiculous amount of jewelry leading us in a chant of ‘Whoâ€s gonna beat Ali? WEPNER!†And in that instant, Chuck Wepner became a real-life mythological figure — as real to me as the Jersey Devil that haunted the local Pine Barrens.”

These days, Wepner, the former New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing Champion who was christened “The Bayonne Bleeder” for the hits he took boxing Sonny Liston, and Linda, Wepnerâ€s wife of more than 20 years, are riding high from the renewed interest in Wepnerâ€s career and the anticipated success of the film.  

One reviewer on IMDB.com, wrote: “Director Falardeau exquisitely turns what might easily have been another boxing movie into a relationship piece illuminating Wepner’s most difficult moments outside the ring. He depicts the 1970’s much like Martin Scorcese’s Taxi Driver – seedy, wild women, drugs, booze – along with exceptional highs and disastrous lows.”

On Sunday, May 7, Wepner and his wife Linda will enjoy another great success for the heavyweight champ. Thatâ€s the day he will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at the historic Convention Center in Asbury Park. A milestone in the champâ€s career and another opportunity for Wepner to get the recognition he deserves.

If you go

Fri, May 12

NJ Premiere of the film CHUCK

Frank Theaters

South Cove Commons

191 LeFante Way, BAY

(201) 437-6600

Fri, May 7, 7 pm

Chuck Wepner is Inducted into

The NJ Hall of Fame

For Tix: www.njhalloffame.org

The post ROCKY STAR Former Heavyweight Champ Chuck Wepner’s Life Now a Major Motion Picture first appeared on River View Observer.

Newcomer Nicholas Brea, 16 year old White Belt took 1^st in the Adult 18-40 Division, beating an Orange Belt to win the Adult Novice Division While fellow newcomer Michael Townes, yellow belt, placed 3^rd in the same division and 2^nd in forms.

In the female 18-34 year old Division, Brown Belt Adama Wiggan, Age 32 placed 2^nd in Kumite and 2^nd in Kata with an outstanding performance. Ciara Castillo won 2^nd in Kumite, and Samir Oâ€Neill also took home 2^nd in Kumite.

The post NJ Team Wright is Victorious at the 2016 O.I.K.K.A World Karate Championship first appeared on River View Observer.

One of Bayonneâ€s 1^st Generations of Original Karate and Kick-Boxing Legends was Hanshi (Grand Master) Ralph Passero.

Mr. Passero is a “Living Legend” and a Professional Kick-Boxing Champion with the New York Puppets (Professional Full Contact Kick-Boxing Team) as well as numerous Karate Kumite Grand Championships.

In fact, most of the Original Martial Artist from the 70â€s forward remember the hard work and dedication he has put into Isshin-Ryu Karate. His determination and resilience is what makes Hanshi Ralph Passero the man he is.  He has put his Lifeâ€s Mission into A.O.K.A Inc.

Grandmaster Hanshi Passero has Promoted Benefit Tournaments with Famous names like Professional Boxers Chuck Wepner and Mike (Nino) Gonzalez, Grandmaster Don Nagle, and Dr. Michael and George Wanko and Hanshi Dennis Wright, just to name a few.

In his career Mr. Passero coached Hanshi Larry “Thunder Foot” Cureton to a successful Kick-Boxing Career and several UFC Mixed Martial Arts Fights.

Ralph Passero is a Vietnam Veteran and Member of the VFW Post 226. He is a Multiple Karate and Martial Arts Hall of Famer as well as being known as a “Master Breaker” breaking ice, concrete and even a side walk slabs.  In fact,  (Austin Wright Sr.),of UWA was a witness to Mr.  Passero’s career while growing  up  and training with his dad Hanshi Dennis Wright.  Ralph and Dennis Sparred for hours prior to bouts in the arena.

Mr. Passero is a Karate Tournament Promoter for the Grand Master Don Nagle A.O.K.A Inc. Isshin-Ryu World Karate Championships and as President, he is continuing Grandmaster Don Nagle Legacy along with American Isshin-Ryu Members.  He has the help of many Isshin-Ryu Karate Loyalist in their mission.

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