Before and After: Jimmy Foster Feats

By Dennis Sevano, Guest Columnist

One can certainly make the case that David Little was the best all-around athlete to come out of Demarest High School, excelling in three varsity sports. John Wendelken was a scholar-athlete who graduated as valedictorian of his Demarest class in 1961 and later graduated from Holy Cross with an impressive 3.9 GPA—all while maintaining a level of humility rarely seen in Hoboken.

There was also Bobby Lisa, considered one of the finest running backs to come out of the same high school in the 1950s and recognized by the New York Daily News. Tony Radovich was a basketball standout from Demarest who earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina, the 1956–57 national champions. And then there was John Romano, a Demarest varsity baseball player who played in the 1959 World Series with the Chicago White Sox and was selected to the American League All-Star team in both 1961 and 1962—a rare accomplishment for anyone from Hoboken and Hudson County.

The Red Wings of the 1960s

In the 1960s, five more athletes emerged from Hoboken: Bobby Wendelken, Frank Bartletta, Tony Giordano, Ed Stinson, and John Barone. All earned county honors in their respective high school sports. But what truly distinguished these Red Wings from other athletes of their generation was what came afterward. Each went on to make an impact as a high school coach in places including Union City, Secaucus, Asbury Park, Hoboken, and North Bergen.

Then came Jimmy Foster.

In 1970, Jimmy emerged from the basketball tradition of Hoboken High School. Today, as a senior citizen, we might jokingly call him James—but to those who knew him on the courts, he was simply Jimmy.

Jimmy played both varsity football and basketball at Hoboken High, but basketball was clearly his outstanding skill. His ability earned him All-County honors and began a journey that would take him far beyond the playgrounds and gyms of Hoboken.

After high school, Jimmy continued to develop his game on the local courts. John Wendelken, a basketball standout himself, noticed Jimmy's potential and encouraged him to take the next step by attending junior college.

Jimmy landed at Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he quickly made his mark. His scoring ability placed him among the nation's leading junior college players, finishing as the third-leading scorer in the country.

The University of Connecticut took notice. Jimmy went on to play his junior and senior seasons at UConn, helping the school earn an NIT bid. His performances also caught the attention of professional scouts.

From Hoboken to the ABA

In 1974, the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) drafted Jimmy, recognizing his ability as a guard and his success at the collegiate level. But Jimmy chose to pursue an opportunity in the American Basketball Association (ABA), a league that featured some of basketball's biggest stars, including Julius Erving, David Thompson, Dan Issel, Artis Gilmore, and Rick Barry.

Jimmy eventually landed with the Spirits of St. Louis. The team defeated the New York Nets before falling to the Kentucky Colonels in the championship series.

In 1975 and 1976, Jimmy was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he became a valuable off-the-bench guard. In 1976, he earned a spot in the ABA All-Star Game, playing alongside stars such as David Thompson, Roger Brown, and Marvin Webster.

The Nuggets finished the season with an impressive 60–24 record, earning first place in the ABA.

Unfortunately, a recurring knee injury began to take its toll. Jimmy had already earned a degree in business administration, and as his playing career wound down, he recognized that the transition from basketball to business could provide a more sustainable financial future.

From Basketball to Business

Jimmy went on to work for Wang Laboratories and AT&T and later became a mortgage banker. His business career ultimately proved more financially rewarding than basketball, but he never lost his appreciation for the game.

Jimmy often spoke about the ABA and the innovations it brought to basketball—the three-point line, the colorful red-white-and-blue basketball, the slam dunk contest, and other ideas that helped create a more exciting and dynamic style of play.

Although the ABA lasted only nine years, many of its elite players eventually made their way into the NBA, while several of its innovations became lasting parts of professional basketball. The ABA merged into the NBA in 1976.

Today, Jimmy's basketball legacy lives on in his family. His daughter graduated from Hampton University, and his son carries the basketball tradition forward.

From the Playgrounds to the Pros

Jimmy Foster's story is more than a basketball story. It is a Hoboken story.

It is about a kid who grew up playing on the local playgrounds and courts, developed his talent, listened to those who believed in him, and ultimately played professional basketball alongside some of the greatest players of his generation.

"It's not how big you are; it's how big you play."

Bravo to Jimmy Foster—from the playgrounds and courts of Hoboken to playing over and beyond the rim.

Special thanks to Ed Groomes, another Hoboken hoopster and the last player from Hoboken to score 50 points in one game, whose encouragement helped inspire this story about Jimmy.

This story is dedicated to the memory of recently departed Demarest alumnus Milt Goggans and my brother, Ronald Anthony Sevano.

Dennis Sevano was born and raised in Hoboken, where he served as a teacher and the Supervisor of Reading for the Public Schools. He is the former Assistant Superintendent of Paterson Schools. He writes frequently about education, sports figures and notables in the Mile Square City. He currently resides in Teaneck.