To be enshrined into the Hall of Fame is one to the greatest honors a person can achieve. It doesn’t matter if it is a professional sports Hall of Fame, a music Hall of Fame, or hell, the WWE Hall of Fame (now featuring Mike Tyson, Donald Trump, and Snoop Dogg). But we get a bit concerned when you are pumped to join the…New Jersey Hall of Fame?!
I am thrilled to be in a NJ HALL OF FAME CLASS with Derek Jeter,Jon Stewart, Christine Rampone,Kool & the Gang etc https://t.co/vBSl0eXzmY
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 7, 2016
Dick Vitale deserves to be enshrined in any number of Hall of Fames. But isn’t the New Jersey Hall of Fame considered a bit of an insult. The very fact that New Jersey, proudly considered the Armpit of America, even has a Hall of Fame is pretty hilarious to us. But, we guess if the Hall exists, Vitale should get in. But let’s look at the other nominees in this year’s class, which will be inducted tonight in the legendary Asbury Park.
Wow, a red carpet ceremony!? That’s FANCY. We wonder what the criteria is to get into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Do you need to be born in New Jersey? Do you need to make some major contributions to the state? Do you need to be retired for a certain amount of time? Do you have to do actually do anything besides step foot in the state at some point in time?
For instance, Vitale played and coached basketball at East Rutherford High School.
Derek Jeter, one of the other major inductees tonight, was born in New Jersey but spent most of his life living in Kalamazoo. Sure, he would spend summers with his grandparents in the Garden State, but is THAT qualification for being inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame!? When Jeter was a 14-time All Star with the Yankees, do we even have any evidence that he returned to visit his grandparents?
Here is a copy of the Hall of Fame’s Mission from the NJ Hall of Fame website:
The New Jersey Hall of Fame has been created to honor New Jerseyans who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond. TheHall of Fame reinforces the message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing. By presenting significant and powerful role models and teaching young people about the voting process, the Hall of Fame is a sourceof learning, inspiration and Jersey Pride!
We are honestly disappointed we can’t get to the red carpet for tonight’s festivities. Unfortunately, we can’t afford the $250 ticket to get in (damn you North Carolina). but seeing Jon Stewart be inducted, alongside legendary New Jersey residents like Kool in the Gang, Senator Frank Lautenberg, and soccer star Christie Rampone sounds like a can’t miss night to us.
Previous inductees into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, which began in 2008, include Shaquille O’Neal (2009), Martha Stewart (2011) and obviously the Boss, Bruce Springsteen (we believe he should have been the only inductee in 2008).