Cathedral Prep and Seminary, Elmhurst, senior track runner Alexander Chen is ranked within the top 50 in New York State in the 400-meter. Chen recently competed in his first race in two years.
GCHSAA volleyball returned to limited action in early May. Senior Classic games for the ‘AA,’ ‘A’ and ‘B’ divisions took place at Holy Trinity H.S., Hicksville, L.I., on May 8. The weekend of May 15-16 featured open exhibition matches for diocesan teams as well as a ‘AA’ tournament in Bethpage, L.I.
RIP Smiling Irishman of the CHSAA
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 3 at St. Thomas More in Breezy Point for Don Hurley, a CHSAA basketball super fan and a parishioner at St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor, who died April 27 at the age of 84. Nicknamed the “Smiling Irishman of the CHSAA,” Hurley was a fixture at boys’ freshmen, junior varsity and varsity hoops game all over the city.
In 1947 at age 11, Hurley emigrated to America from Cork, Ireland. He settled with his brothers in Brooklyn and later moved down to Breezy Point. The Korean War veteran worked in credit and collections at John P. McGuire, Aileen and Hertling Industries. He was also a cashier at Brennan and Carr Restaurant on Nostrand Avenue in addition to being the commissioner of the Breezy Point men’s softball league.
A graduate of St. Michael H.S., Sunset Park, Hurley routinely sat in the stands at CHSAA basketball games taking notes and recording the top scorers.
“He (Hurley) loved basketball,” said former Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, varsity boys’ basketball coach Don Kent. “Usually people in sports are athletes, coaches or administrators. Here’s someone who is a true fan. He was a perfect gentleman.”