Beglane

Xaverian Can’t Forget One of New York’s Finest

BY BERNIE BEGLANE

Gone but not forgotten!

We heard that many times over as the sixth anniversary of September 11 was observed last week.

And we continued to hear that through last Sunday morning when Xaverian H.S. staged the 19th annual Chris Hoban Memorial Five-Mile Run through the streets of Bay Ridge.

Chris grew up in Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish, Sunset Park, and, upon graduating from Xaverian in 1980, became a member of the New York Police Department.

Assigned to Manhattan Narcotics, he was killed in a buy and bust operation in 1988.
The Police Alumni of Xaverian, with the blessing of the Hoban Family, established the Chris Hoban Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“They also established the race as a means to raise money for the scholarships that are presented to sons of NYPD members who are Xaverian graduates,” explained Rob Oliva, Xaverian’s director of Alumni Relations.

THEY WERE OFF AND RUNNING in Bay Ridge last weekend when Xaverian H.S. conducted its annual Chris Hoban Memorial Run. More than 700 runners made up the largest field in the race’s history.

The entry fee was $15 prior to the race and $20 if paid the day of the event. Pee Wee races also were conducted and those runners paid $7. More than 700 runners made up the largest pre-registration in the race’s history.

Local businesses have become sponsors of the race and their fees help boost the scholarship money.

In addition, the committee also established the Police Officer Chris Hoban Service Award three years ago. Chief Joseph Fox, commanding officer of Brooklyn South, was Sunday’s honoree.

Ray Kelly, the NYPD’s commissioner, was the first to receive it.

He was followed by Mike Sheehan of Fox News. Mike, retired from the NYPD, was the commanding officer of Manhattan Narcotics when Chris Hoban’s killers were captured.

Above are the first man and woman, Wilson Berrenzueta and Maggie Deschamps, to cross the finish line.

There was an innovation to this year’s program and it was the staging of the Tina Hoban Funny Hat Walk.

“Chris’ mother passed away this summer,” continued Oliva, “and because she was regarded as the matriarch of the race, the committee decided to honor her in this way.

Above is the start of the Tina Hoban Funny Hat Walk, held for the first time this year to honor the memory of Chris’ mom, Tina, who died earlier this year. Mrs. Hoban was a former secretary at St. Joseph’s H.S. in Downtown Brooklyn.

“We let everyone know that any kind of hat was fine.”

As usual, there was a barbecue following the awards presentations in Xaverian’s schoolyard.

Music presented by a DJ was part of the program, also.

As for the gold medalist, Wilson Berrenzueta crossed the finish line with no one on his heels in 27:13. The first woman was Maggie Deschamps in 33:52.

A New York City fire boat saluted the runners as they made their way along the Narrows to the Verrazano Bridge. .

Awards were handed out to the first-place finishers in different categories. Jose Benitez was the first member of the NYPD in 28:40.

Thomas Verderosa, 29:59, earned the John Devaney Award as the first New York City fireman to complete the course. The honor is named in memory of a Class of 1970 Xaverian graduate who became a firefighter and was killed while on duty.

James McFarland, was the initial representative of the New York Sanitation Department to finish – his time was 33:41 – and he earned the Mike Hanley Memorial Award.

The top sheriff to finish was Thone Zane in 39:37. .

The Clydsdale Award winner (200 pounds or more) was Sean Karabar, in 34:30.

Joe Khoury was the first Xaverian student across the finish line in 36:32.

The first alumnus was Glen Carnes, in 29:08.

Faculty member Theresa Rau led her peers in 50:30.

Red Storm Conducts Clinic

The men’s basketball team and coaching staff of St. John’s University will conduct a free clinic for boys and girls, 11-17, at the Jamaica YMCA, 89-25 Parsons Blvd., on Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.