JCAA Sportsperson of the Year 2002
Ray Marione
November 10, 2002
November 10, 2002 the Jersey Coast Anglers
Association honored HRFA member, trustee, director, and chief cook and bottle washer Ray
Marione with their annual Sportsperson of the Year Award.
The event was held at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant, NJ.
The HRFA had two tables of ten filled with HRFA members.
Ray had another two tables with his relatives.
Keynote speaker for the gala event was NJ
governor James McGreevey. Frankly, whenever I
go to any events that promise the governor attending, they never show up. They usually send a representative or someone else
in their place. To my surprise, McGreevey showed up. And
he joked around with Ray! He seemed like a
likeable guy who had quite a few things to say. Not
only about the environment, water quality or weakfish issues but spoke about Ray as well.
When first approached with the initial
prospect of nominating someone for this award, it came to mind immediately that Ray
Marione should be our nomination. Through the work of many of our members who have worked
with Ray on past projects, HRFA member Bruce Halstater put together a package of
Ray’s qualifications and presented it to the JCAA for their consideration.
From working with the NJ DEP on the Hudson
River Walkway, to the initiating Gamefish status for the striped bass, countless meetings
and projects, Ray has been there for the HRFA NJ.
Congratulations to our own