Hudson County Renames Park Tennis Courts for Legendary Bayonne Coach Bill Broderick

On October 24, Hudson County held a ceremony at Gregg-Bayonne County Park to rename the park’s tennis courts in honor of longtime Bayonne High School tennis coach Bill Broderick.

Broderick, a member of the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame, served as a physical education teacher and coached both the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at Bayonne High School. He launched the girls’ program, leading it to four Hudson County Championships with a 201-50 record. His boys’ teams captured 21 county titles and once held a 69-match winning streak. In 1998, his team became the only Hudson County boys’ squad to win 32 matches in a season. Over his career, Broderick’s boys’ teams amassed a 732-169 record.

Hudson County Commissioner and Deputy Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Kopacz explained that the high school’s original tennis courts were removed to make way for a new vocational school, prompting the county to name the public courts after Broderick. “Thank you for all you have done for thousands of children,” Kopacz said.

Mayor Jimmy Davis quoted coach Bill Parcells in recognizing Broderick’s achievements: “You are what your record says you are.” City Council Member At-Large Loyad Booker, who once served in the Cops in Schools Program, thanked Broderick for his service “with the youth of this town.”

Broderick expressed his appreciation for the honor and reflected on past seasons, particularly the 1998 team. “I love these courts,” he said, thanking the County Board of Commissioners and all who attended.

The event concluded with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating Broderick’s teaching and coaching career.