26 schools from Hudson County, featuring students in grades 3 through 12 from districts including Union City, Jersey City and Bayonne, participated in a two day, Hudson County Sports In Education Program combine at High Tech High School in Secaucus this week.
The program, run over 18 weeks, is organized and taught by instructors from the Bayonne-based, Prime Athletic Development. It was the brain child of several individuals, including Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, Gina Hulings, the Director of Hudson County’s Office Cultural & Heritage Affairs / Tourism Development. and James Rangel, a sports and education coordinator.
It began last year as a pilot with the support of the Hudson County Board of Commissioners and it receives financial support from the Rashawn Jackson Endowment Fund. Jackson is one of many former, star athletes from Hudson County who are helping with the teaching aspect of the program. Many of these individuals had success as professional athletes.
They are educating students on the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition and academics. On Wednesday, the final day of the combine, students participated in a variety of athletic skills, including sprints, standing long jumps, soccer and basketball agility drills.
The overall focus of the program is to teach student athletes, many having dreams of participating in college athletics, the proper ways to achieve success, both on the field or court, and in the classroom.