Late Harry Massey Named to Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame

The late Harry Massey was a trailblazer in Hudson County high school athletics, as one of the first African-American head football coaches in the county’s history. A native of Jersey City and long-time resident of South Orange, he was a standout athlete at Lincoln High School (1956-1960) in football, baseball and track and field. Massey went on to play football at Tennessee State, and upon graduation, he played for the New York Giants’ farm team in Jersey City for two seasons. He then began a career in education, teaching and coaching at his alma mater, Lincoln. He was head coach for six seasons, becoming one of the first African-American head coaches. He was then head coach of Jersey City State College's Gothic Knights for three seasons in the '70s. He died after a long illness in 2001. The Hall of Fame dinner is at Casino in the Park, Jersey City, on March 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $60; call Beth Ruttler at 201-915-1386.