James P. Hoban. a member of the Bergen Catholic Class of 1977, was a solid student and fine athlete considered one of the best players on the school’s hockey team. Jim was also active in community service and at Our Lady of Mercy Church CYO in Park Ridge, NJ throughout his years at BC. Following his graduation from Villanova University in 1981, he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Jack, when he became an officer in the United States Marine Corp. He eventually switched to the United States Navy Reserve. In 1986, Jim lost his life serving his country when his plane crashed shortly after takeoff. In order to avoid hitting civilians in a residential area located near the Naval Air Station, Jim maneuvered his plane away from the area, but in doing so, made it impossible to eject properly from his plane to safety. Following his death, a Bergen Catholic Memorial Scholarship was established in Jim’s name. In addition, his parents, Gene and Anne, supported a CYO Basketball Tournament held in Jim’s honor. Over the Hoban family has been big part of the BC tradition and has given back to the school. Jim’s brothers are Bergen Catholic alumni – Jack ’73, Joe ’75, and Jed ’85 – and his sister, Kathleen, was a BC cheerleader.