Top 10 Athletes from NJ!

[kniteryder]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1007/top.10.new.jersey.athletes/content.10.html

Solid article, but I am thrilled at the conversation this topic will bring.


Enjoy guys!

:)

[Grote]

This is a tough list...and tough to really determine who is "from" NJ and who is not. I'm not exactly a great guy to make the rules here (Bobby Curtis and Chris Derrick annex, etc.).

In this case, several athletes are from NJ that I never thought of as being Garden Staters. If MARVIN HAGLER is from NJ, then he has to be #1. Marvin Hagler rules. Period. Love that guy. That said, I've always thought of him as hailing from Brockton, Mass.

Grote

[Blackbeard]

questionable NJ heritage for some of these athletes- what was the criteria? did they have to take a number 2 in the Molly Pitcher Rest stop.? Rodman is not from Trenton. Shaquille O'Neal left when he was a baby...etc.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

questionable NJ heritage for some of these athletes- what was the criteria? did they have to take a number 2 in the Molly Pitcher Rest stop.? Rodman is not from Trenton. Shaquille O'Neal left when he was a baby...etc.

Yup. Hey, I'm a Yankees fan but Derek jeter is from Michigan.

[skurey]

Where's Robby?

[jumpinguy]

Where's Robby?

QFVena

[king99]

Rodman? because he was born in Trenton?

Shaq?

Jeter? same thing Joe says



Milt Campbell?

Skeets Nehemiah?

Well Nehemiah is a bit specific to track folks, and mised the Olympics unfortunately.

But Campbell?

[kniteryder]

I agree with most. When I read the article I was quite surprised at how guys were linked with the state. Some with very minimal residency that you would have NEVER thought to be "from" Jersey.

[king99]

and that is why they are not or should not be considered, really, some were barely here and many never were NJ HS athetes even

[PFFlyer]

and that is why they are not or should not be considered, really, some were barely here and many never were NJ HS athetes even

Check the tongue in cheek Jersey Shore references. Snookie is from
Marlboro, NY

[king99]

Willie Wilson, Summit 2207 Hits 668 SB

Kelly Tripucka , Bloomfield 20.9 career avg in NBA

3rd in League in scoring 82-82 at 26.5

[Matt Hogan]

Willie Wilson, Summit 2207 Hits 668 SB

Kelly Tripucka , Bloomfield 20.9 career avg in NBA

3rd in League in scoring 82-82 at 26.5


I thought of Kelly Tripuka. Willie Wilson is a good one. How about Joe Ducky Medwick, Marty Liquori, Irving Fryar, Drew Peasron, Don Newcomb, Al Leiter, Troy Vincent and for s's & g's John Harkes and or Tony Meola.

these 7 seem like real NJ lifers and solid picks
milt cambell
carl lewis
joe theismaa
franco harris
tommy heinsonh
rick barry
orel hershheisrer

[Joe Lanzalotto]

Rodman? because he was born in Trenton?

Shaq?

Jeter? same thing Joe says



Milt Campbell?

Skeets Nehemiah?

Well Nehemiah is a bit specific to track folks, and mised the Olympics unfortunately.

But Campbell?

Why NOT Campbell?

"Milt Campbell was the first great black decathlete and the first to win the Olympic decathlon. He won the AAU decathlon in 1953 and the AAU and NCAA high hurdles in 1955. In 1957 he set a world record of 13.4 for the 120y hurdles. While at Indiana University, Campbell won letters in both football and track. After graduation he had a fling with pro football, playing briefly in 1957 with the Cleveland Browns, but has since run programs in New Jersey for underprivileged children. He is also a well-known lecturer."

He lived in Plainfield and graduated from Plainfield High.

[king99]

Joe, totally sorry you misunderstood, my poorly worded post

I meant Campbell as a NO BRAINER, sorry

[backintheday]

Back in 1999, we went to the USATF meet in Eugene and headed out to the coast...drove north to Tillamook, Astoria and over the bridge at the mouth of the Columbia into Washington. Stopped into local spot for lunch...bartender asked why we traveled out from NJ to the NW...I tell him we came out to watch a track meet in Eugene. He says his Dad was from NJ...also did track...was pretty good. So I ask him his Dad's name....he replied - Milt Campbell !!

PS - trivia question - what '80's movie classic was filmed in Astoria, OR ?

[Joe Lanzalotto]

Joe, totally sorry you misunderstood, my poorly worded post

I meant Campbell as a NO BRAINER, sorry

OH, that's better. Thought you had lost it!

[Koegel]

PS - trivia question - what '80's movie classic was filmed in Astoria, OR ?

The Goonies

[Paul Schwartz]

Any List of NJ athletes where Carl Lewis is #5 isn't even worth discussing.

Any list of NJ w/o Milt campbell isn't even worth discussing.

Any list of NJ w/o Anne Donovan isn't worth discussing.

Have at it guys -- I'm done.

[Matt Hogan]

Is Good!

[Matt Hogan]

Any list of NJ w/o Anne Donovan isn't worth discussing.

who would be on a ladies ONLY list?

Anne Donovan
Carol Lewis
Erin Donohue
Joetta Clark
CArol Blazejowski

[Eva N]

who would be on a ladies ONLY list?

Anne Donovan
Carol Lewis
Erin Donohue
Joetta Clark
CArol Blazejowski

Carol Lewis has to be removed because of her incredible awfulness as a track & field commentator. :rolleyes:

[Joe Lanzalotto]

Carol Lewis has to be removed because of her incredible awfulness as a track & field commentator. :rolleyes:

Yes...+rep

[backintheday]

The Goonies

You are correct sir !!

[Blackbeard]

I thought of Kelly Tripuka. Willie Wilson is a good one. How about Joe Ducky Medwick, Marty Liquori, Irving Fryar, Drew Peasron, Don Newcomb, Al Leiter, Troy Vincent and for s's & g's John Harkes and or Tony Meola.

these 7 seem like real NJ lifers and solid picks
milt cambell
carl lewis
joe theismaa
franco harris
tommy heinsonh
rick barry
orel hershheisrer

National League MVP and if my memory serves me won the triple crown- also - wasn't he one of the gaslight boys? took a pitch to the head and never was the same. Also- Horace Ashenfelter is from Almonesson- his realtives still pepper the farms of Eastern Gloucester Co. Also- oft forgotten- but Olympic Champ- also from Almonesson (near Deptford Mall)?...Mel Sheppard!!!

[Reuben Frank]

National League MVP and if my memory serves me won the triple crown- also - wasn't he one of the gaslight boys? took a pitch to the head and never was the same. Also- Horace Ashenfelter is from Almonesson- his realtives still pepper the farms of Eastern Gloucester Co. Also- oft forgotten- but Olympic Champ- also from Almonesson (near Deptford Mall)?...Mel Sheppard!!!

i did a big story on Mel Sheppard when i worked at the Gloucester County Times back in the early 1980s

i located his daughter, who lived in Lakewood or Toms River, and she had a ton of stories about Mel

Mel is the last American to win Olympic gold medal in the 1,500 and the only American to double the 800 and 1,500 in an Olympics

Peter Snell is the only runner to double the 800 and 1,500 since Mel, in 1908

[Matt Hogan]

mel shep seems like a no brainer as would ashenfelter but after StillRunning posted that interview i read that he was born and went to school in PA...so would he go the way of jeter and shaq? and what about Hagler...he was great and he shouldn't be blamed for leaving at 13 due to riots although i beleive he didn't start to boxing until he moved to MA . . .tough call

[Reuben Frank]

matt - sheppard went to school in pennsylvania because there was no school for him to attend in south jersey

he spent his entire childhood in almonesson (now within deptford township)

[GeorgieTheK]

Also- Horace Ashenfelter is from Almonesson- his realtives still pepper the farms of Eastern Gloucester Co.


When did Ashenfelter live in Almonesson? I thought that he was pretty much a PA boy growing up (Phoenixville), went to high school there (Collegeville), and was a Penn State guy through and through (whole family went there.)

Didn't think he came to Jersey to afterwards (though with the proximity, not surprising that he has relatives in South Jersey.)

[Joe Lanzalotto]

He was born in Phoenixville, PA and graduated from Collegeville (PA) high school. He went to Penn State and now lives in Glen Ridge. As an FBI agent he may have moved around a bit as their assignments are usually not permanent.

None of the biographical material I found mentioned Almonesson.

He's a PA guy.

[Blackbeard]

He was born in Phoenixville, PA and graduated from Collegeville (PA) high school. He went to Penn State and now lives in Glen Ridge. As an FBI agent he may have moved around a bit as their assignments are usually not permanent.

None of the biographical material I found mentioned Almonesson.

He's a PA guy.

Joe my information can't be googled- nor my friendship bought- When in South Jersey I worked with a helluva guy named Harry Ashenfelter-related to Horace.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

Joe my information can't be googled- nor my friendship bought- When in South Jersey I worked with a helluva guy named Harry Ashenfelter-related to Horace.

Now would I doubt you?

[Matt Hogan]

yerah I read what GTK wrote. Would Wikiepedia lie to me, NOOOOO!!! :eek:

I would be happy to call him a NJ boy!!

[Matt Hogan]

matt - sheppard went to school in pennsylvania because there was no school for him to attend in south jersey

...so nothing has changed in all these years! :D

PS: I didin't realize Mel S. went to school in PA I was referring to Horace A.

PPS: in you live in So. Jersey Union Catholic is now an option! ;)

[seagullxc33]

jeter was born in Pequannock, NJ and lived in North Arlington then moved to Kalamazoo

[Joe Lanzalotto]

jeter was born in Pequannock, NJ and lived in North Arlington then moved to Kalamazoo

Right but he spent most ofhis years in Michigan, not Jersey. Believe me, I'd love to claim him as one of Jersey's own!

[Picc5455]

Marty Liquori?

[Matt Hogan]

Right but he spent most of his years in Michigan, not Jersey. Believe me, I'd love to claim him as one of Jersey's own!

from wikipedia . . .
"The family lived in North Arlington (http://www.tracktalk.net/wiki/North_Arlington,_New_Jersey), New Jersey, before moving to Kalamazoo (http://www.tracktalk.net/wiki/Kalamazoo,_Michigan), Michigan, when he was four years old. As a child, Jeter and his sister would spend summers with their grandparents in New Jersey, who took them to Yankees games, making him a passionate fan of his future team."

Top 10 and a half perhaps?? better case than Shaq but still not as good a case as Hagler's

[TrackCoach]

Any NJ list that does not start with Carl Lewis is flawed; for nearly a decade, he was the Michael Jordan of sprinting. I think he has won more Olympic medals than perhaps a few swimmers. What makes this most impressive is the fact that he was the best at an event every person on the planet can participate in. I also give him credit for the fact that he was never the most talented sprinter or jumper in terms raw explosiveness and vertical leaping ability, but he was a training fanatic and was obsessed with technique. This is coming from someone who never cared much for him personally, but he was an incredible athlete. Coach Tom Teliz will tell you that Carl had training partners like Joe Deloath with more natural speed. (This is a good lesson for young athletes in that talent alone is not enough.)

His sister Carol was an incredible athlete as well, but unfortunately her career crossed paths with JJK and the Eastern European juggernaut. Carol’s marks form the mid-80s would probably make her the best jumper in world today. I am not sure if she did these events at major competitions, but Carol was also a very good sprinter, hurdler and high jumper. A little known fact, when Carl and Carol were young (pre high school) she use to beat him in every event.

People put a lot of emphasis on California, but NJ has an incredibly rich tradition in track and field. Even though I don’t live in the state, I follow NJ track because during the late 70s to early 80s, I remember competing against Haddonfield, Woodbury, Trenton Central, Bernards, Asbury Park, Edgewood, Paramus Catholic, Plainfield, etc. NJ had so many good teams that when you went to Easterns or Penn Relays, etc., when we ran against a NJ school we just assumed they were good. Unfortunately, a lot of these schools I don’t here too much about anymore.

[king99]

I think it was Joe DeLoach and Tom Tellez


I agree on all the rest.

[Show'EmTheRopes]

Any List of NJ athletes where Carl Lewis is #5 isn't even worth discussing.

Any list of NJ w/o Milt campbell isn't even worth discussing.

Any list of NJ w/o Anne Donovan isn't worth discussing.

Have at it guys -- I'm done.

QFEXACTLYWUTIWASTHINKING

Carl Lewis SHOULD be #1 or #2 at the worst. Liquori should definitely be on this list. Robby Andrews WILL be on this list. If not, there's minimal validity to it.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

Remember that this list, for what it is worth, was not just about track people.

[Show'EmTheRopes]

Remember that this list, for what it is worth, was not just about track people.

I understand that, but our state has and will continue to have the most successful sport be track, hence the justification for those 3 people on my part.


I think without question, Carl Lewis should be #1. He could probably be top 3 on the National list, if not at the very least top 10. Michael Phelps might have to take the #1 National spot though.

[jumpinguy]

I understand that, but our state has and will continue to have the most successful sport be track, hence the justification for those 3 people on my part.


I think without question, Carl Lewis should be #1. He could probably be top 3 on the National list, if not at the very least top 10. Michael Phelps might have to take the #1 National spot though.

Michael Phelps is the best athlete of all time?

[Picc5455]

Remember that this list, for what it is worth, was not just about track people.

This is true but I think Marty has a strong case to be on that list. I mean he accomplished a lot and was a fantastic runner. Breaking 4 in hs is no joke and then his career after wasn't too shabby either.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

I understand that, but our state has and will continue to have the most successful sport be track, hence the justification for those 3 people on my part.


I think without question, Carl Lewis should be #1. He could probably be top 3 on the National list, if not at the very least top 10. Michael Phelps might have to take the #1 National spot though.

It's a nice thought but like it or not, the ball sports will always be more popular so a good or very good football, basketball or baseball player is generally going to be better known and remembered than a track athlete. I don't like it but it is the way it is.

[Matt Hogan]

at what age did James Braddock move to WNY / No. Bergen? Would he be considered a NJ'ite?

[Show'EmTheRopes]

Michael Phelps is the best athlete of all time?

I think so? Who are you possibly going to put ahead of 7 Olympic Golds in a single Games?? On top of like 7 or 6 from the previous year.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

I think so? Who are you possibly going to put ahead of 7 Olympic Golds in a single Games?? On top of like 7 or 6 from the previous year.

Okay, Derek Jeter is NOT from NJ; we get that. But if he were, virtually no one except for track crazies like us would put Carl Lewis ahead of him.

You and I and most of the other people on here value an Olympic Gold medal ahead of accomplishments in the popular sports.

[Walkness]

I think so? Who are you possibly going to put ahead of 7 Olympic Golds in a single Games?? On top of like 7 or 6 from the previous year.

Phelps is not the best athlete of all-time. Not even close. He mastered one sport, but that is it. Thorp or even Bo Jackson were better athletes. Of course, don't forget about Jim Brown.

To be considered one of the greatest athletes of all-time I think you would have to pick men (or women) who excelled in a few different sports. Lance Armstrong is one of the best ever ... for his sport. Carl Lewis excelled in different events which I argue are like different sports, so he should be up there. If Phelps jumps into the long distance swim events and dominates at the highest level, then maybe his name can be mentioned.

[Grote]

I'll bring this one back that I used often during the craze in the Olympics:

PHUCK PHELPS.

He's right up there with soccer in my book.

Grote

[Picc5455]

I'll bring this one back that I used often during the craze in the Olympics:

PHUCK PHELPS.

He's right up there with soccer in my book.

Grote

Aww cmon Phelps is one of the greatest olympic athletes ever. He never wronged anyone

[Show'EmTheRopes]

Aww cmon Phelps is one of the greatest olympic athletes ever. He never wronged anyone

Grote has a very skewed perspective on life. Don't listen to him. :)

[Reuben Frank]

the thing about swimming vs. track is that in swimming all the different events use pretty much the same muscle groups

if you're good in the 50 free, you're going to be good in the 100 free and 200 free and 400 free and 800 free and probably a bunch of other strokes

these guys get out of the pool and aren't tired, so they have an amazing ability to double or triple or quad or quintiple, etc.

in track, even a 100-200 double is extremely challenging. in swimming, you can do all 5 freestyle strokes without being a particularly versatile swimmer

so carl winning 9 golds and 10 olympic medals to me is exponentially more impressive than what phelps did -- which granted was a great accomplishment

obviously nobody in track is going to win the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1500. but in swimming people do the equivalent fairly routinely

[Picc5455]

There are more "sprint" events in swimming so they can win more events. If Phelps went for the 1500m swim and everything else I'd think he'd run into some trouble haha. I'm not saying he's the greatest athlete of all time but he's definitely one of the greatest athletes of all time. Not the greatest but he's gotta be considered for that list at least a little bit. But anyways this is about NJ guys and I still think Marty should be on that list haha.