By Ed Kensik
The reviews are in for the renovation of the Kearny High School Hall of Fame.
And it is all thumbs up for the refurbishment of the hall that spotlights the achievements of the student athletes, coaches, and contributors of the current school since its inception more than 100 years ago.
The spanking-new Kearny High School Hall of Fame was given its due on April 25, with the official dedication of the refurbished Hall of Fame that honors the best of the best in the district, dating back to the 1920s.
Despite a steady downpour, a few hundred people slogged through the rain to see the christening of the new gallery of honor at the Kearny High School gym for those who excelled on the athletic fields and courts over the years. In total, there are almost 350 individuals and 16 teams placed into the Hall of Fame for their excellence.
Kearny School Superintendent Flora Encarnacao pointed out that the Hall of Fame is more than just trinkets, trophies, and certificates.
“This project was born out of a desire to do more than just display trophies; it was about capturing the nostalgia of our greatest moments,” said Encarnacao. “As you walk through, you’ll see the rich history of wins, accolades, and the legendary accomplishments of our Kearny Champions.”
The new Hall of Fame features the Kearny Champions Wall as well as a large flat-screen TV that shows a 10-minute video featuring many of the Kearny Hall of Fame inductees over the past century.
Some of the greats in athletics that have come through the doors at Kearny High School include two soccer players who played on the United States Men’s National Team in John Harkes and Tony Meola, as well as several years in professional soccer. The pair competed in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and helped the town be named “Soccer Town, USA.”
Also highlighted are former New York Giants football great, Alex Webster, and two baseball players, both pitchers, Ed Halicki and Bob Stanley, known from their years in the MLB with the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox, respectively.
The idea of the renovations of the Hall of Fame came from long-time Kearny resident, Sebastian “Zibbie” Viscuso, who was inducted into the town Hall of Fame in 2007, and has been a school board member on-and-off for 18 years.
“He serves as a powerful voice for our past athletes, constantly reminding us that their legacy deserved a home as modern and vibrant as their accomplishments,” Encarnacao said.
The school superintendent said as the discussions went along that she decided that Viscuso should be honored for all his hard work over his lifetime. The result was that the corridor between the Hall of Fameand the gym was christened ‘Viscuso Hall’.
“A Kearny Kardinal through and through—from playing football and graduating from Kearny High School to serving on the board of education, Sebastian has spent a lifetime lifting our athletes,” the superintendent said. “Husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; firefighter, Navy Seabee, and forever fan—Sebastian never misses a chance to cheer for Kearny’s teams.”
Viscuso graduated from Kearny High School in 1954, where he played both football and baseball. He felt that the Hall of Fame was not getting its due, including some of the championship trophies that were stuffed away in lockers.
“I graduated from Kearny High School 72 years ago when this building was new,” Viscuso said to the crowd at the dedication. “Up until last year, most of these trophies were in lockers; now, this is one of the nicest trophy displays of any high school in the state. To have this area named after me is an honor that, in my wildest dreams, I never would have thought possible. My heartfelt thanks go to the board of education and the superintendent for this honor for me and my family.”
And Viscuso added that when he first saw the renovations, he was ecstatic. “No, there is nothing I like about it, I love it,” he exclaimed.
One member of the Hall of Fame, current Kearny boys head soccer coach, Scott Millar, was impressed by the transformation of the hall to what it is today. “The renovations are a fitting tribute to the great success that all of our programs have had over the years,” Millar said. “It was an incredible transformation, from a dark and dreary hallway to the first-class showcase that it is today.”
Millar was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2012 for his exploits on the soccer field as one of the school’s top players in Kearny’s history. Scott Millar is just one part of the family in the Hall of Fame that includes his father, John, who was inducted in 2017. John Millar is one of the greatest soccer coaches in the school’s history, winning 547 games in 30 years for the Kardinals and is also part of the New Jersey High School Hall of Fame.
Another member of the Hall of Fame, Jimmy Hempel, who was inducted in 2009 for all his contributions for the Kearny athletic department, including coaching and his soccer playing days. He was ‘impressed’ by the new Hall of Fame.
“I’m truly impressed,” Hempel said. “They beautifully highlight the achievements of Kearny High School student-athletes, and I believe visitors of all ages will leave feeling inspired. It is a major upgrade, and the district should feel proud of it.”
Kearny High School current athletic director Alan Correnti emphasized what many were mentioning that the renovated Hall of Fame will help current and future Kearny High School students learn about the past athletic accomplishments.
“By revamping the athletic hallway, the trophy cases, and the gymnasium, we have created a true showcase for our many different activities,” Correnti said. “We hope this gives our student-athletes even more pride in Kardinal Nation. Our athletes already give 100 percent on the field and in the classroom, and this project reflects that standard.”
Designed by Linda Maher of Graphic Imagery of New Providence in collaboration with the central Kearny office team and with support from the district’s maintenance team, the Hall of Fame is intended to inspire current and future students while celebrating Kearny pride.
“My team researched and designed the history of Kearny athletics to bring this Hall of Fame to life, and it truly felt like something must be in the water when we saw just how many successful athletes have come through this district,” Maher said.
The renovation project of the Kearny Hall of Fame will also help out another proposal, a full remodeling of the high school weight room. Replica posters of the “Kearny Champions Wall” are for sale for $25 as well as ordering personalized pavers to be displayed at the high school’s front entrance. For more information on how to contribute, please contact the district athletic office.
