Hudson County Community College Hosting Smithsonian Institution’s ‘Hometown Teams’ Exhibit

August 20, 2014

Multimedia exhibit celebrating America’s love of sports open to the general public for viewing now through September 28th at the College’s North Hudson Higher Education Center; special appearances and events are also scheduled in connection with the exhibit.

 

August 20, 2014, Jersey City, NJ – A traveling exhibit that celebrates America’s love of all sports, and the ways local team spirit shapes culture, will be on display at Hudson County Community College (HCCC) North Hudson Higher Education Center now through September 28, 2014.

The Museum on Main Street Program – the Smithsonian Institution’s Traveling Exhibit Service – is presenting Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America, in partnership with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. The exhibit, which features photographs, memorabilia, and artifacts that tell the story of people interacting with their favorite sports, has been available for viewing at only four other venues in New Jersey –Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center (Little Falls/Montclair), Noyes Arts Garage at Stockton College/Atlantic City Free Public Library, Howell Living History Farm (Titusville), and Bridgeton Public Library. Hudson County Community College is the only county college to be included in the exhibit’s New Jersey itinerary. Four other states have also been chosen to premiere the exhibition, which eventually will make its way through 180 small towns in 30 states over the next five years.

Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America is a hands-on, mixed media exhibit that highlights how sports and team spirit create enduring connections between towns, the teams that play in them, and the teams’ fans. It features local and national artifacts and stories, and invites visitors to share their own stories about their favorite pastimes.

Several events have been planned to accompany the exhibition while it is at Hudson County Community College. These include:

  • September 4, 2014 at 12:00 Noon – An opening reception barbeque, during which attendees will learn about and view the exhibit content. There will also be an “oral history in a box” setup where visitors may share their own local sports stories. HCCC North Hudson Higher Education Center, 4800 Kennedy Blvd., Union City, NJ.
  • September 16, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. – Local talents, acclaimed baseball artist Paul Lempa and sportswriter Jim Hague, who authored the book “Braddock: The Rise of the Cinderella Man,” will team up to discuss the history and legacy of Roosevelt Stadium. They will highlight baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s historic color-barrier breaking game, using some of Mr. Lempa’s artwork that chronicles Mr. Robinson’s career. HCCC North Hudson Higher Education Center, 4800 Kennedy Blvd., Union City, NJ.
  • Friday, September 26, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. – Pete Cannarozzi, the official organist for the New Jersey Devils’ games, will demonstrate how he plays during those games. The conductor/musician was the pianist for the acclaimed singing duo Ashford & Simpson, and continues as Ms. Simpson’s accompanist. He has been playing with the Devils since 2001. The event will be held at the HCCC Culinary Conference Center, 161 Newkirk Street, Jersey City, NJ.

“We are proud to be a chosen as a venue for this exhibit, which presents the captivating stories that have unfolded on neighborhood fields and courts for players and spectators, and highlights some of the sports legends and underdog heroes of all times,” said HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert.

Dr. Gabert also thanked HCCC Librarians Clifford J. Brooks and John DeLooper who authored the grant proposal that brought Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America to Hudson County.

“We invite our neighbors to view the exhibit, record their own sports stories, and enjoy the special events planned in connection with the exhibit,” Dr. Gabert stated.