BY RAY ARROYO
SPECIAL TO PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD
On the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the evening hour drew us to Veterans Memorial Park to remember, with solemn sadness, the people we’d lost on that horrific day. But early that afternoon we gathered in Hegeman Park with joy in our hearts, there to honor the memory of another member of the Westwood family — Haydn Sterling Smith.
The occasion was the first annual Haydn S. Smith Memorial Basketball Tournament, sponsored by the Westwood Police Officer’s Association and Westwood’s mayor and council, organized by Sgt. Anthony Piccinich and managed by residents Tina and Sheldon Jackson.
Why a tournament for Haydn? And why here at this park?
For those who didn’t know him, Haydn was the single most engaged and effective advocate for the restoration of Hegeman Park. His commitment to Westwood and to his Sand Road neighbors was demonstrated over the course of decades.
The Bergen Record, on Feb. 22, 1999 reported on the Hegeman Park neighborhood, noting that around 1995 a neighborhood group called Hand on the Village formed to create activities for neighborhood children.
“The borough assembled a new playground on Sand Road after resident Haydn Smith started a petition campaign to replace badly sloped basketball courts, rusted slides and a worn-out jungle gym,” the piece read.
That renovation was completed, and the park was re-dedicated, in 1997.
Twenty years later Haydn was at it again with the Friends of Hegeman Park group. This group included Haydn, his daughters (and Westwood residents) Eunice Dufont and Desiree DuBose, along with resident Andra Bell, and Councilwoman (now Council President) Beth Dell. Beth worked closely with the group in her role as liaison to the Recreation Department to ensure that funding was secured, and the park was revitalized over the course of the last two years.
The result of that collaboration was in full effect on Saturday, with young parents watching over toddlers utilizing the new playground equipment while folks observed the tournament action and played on refurbished and restriped asphalt, with new Plexiglas backboards, from new, multi-tiered, bleacher seating.
Some of the final bits and pieces of the renovation — new picnic tables, signage, plantings, and work on the pavilion, should be finished by the end of this month.
Haydn was deeply religious — a man of faith. His son, Cassiel Smith, a former WWHS football standout, described a thunderbolt “Paul on the Road to Damascus” experience that transformed Hadyn’s life. It infused and informed his community involvement.
The last time I spoke with Haydn was in September 2020. He would pass away that December. I had apologized, embarrassed that the Hegeman project was taking as long as it did. He said, “Ray, I’m not worried. I know it will get done. There are good people on this council. I believe they will see it through.”
He mentioned Beth Dell by name, which is fitting, because Beth was the steward of Hadyn’s faith in our governing body. She would ensure that his patience would be rewarded, and that the Friends of Hegeman Park’s vision for this welcome neighborhood amenity would be completed.
On Saturday, Sept. 11, five teams competed for the honor of winning the inaugural Haydn S. Smith Memorial Trophy in a round-robin elimination tournament: Killa Bees, Jersey Demons, Hoop Dream 2, Impractical Warriors, and CBG.
Our WPD team, the “Killa Bees,” competed gamely but were sent buzzing off to the showers early on. No complaints could be heard over gasping, winded lungs, creaking joints, and the moans from cramping muscles.
(Eunice’s call out across the park for someone to bring tonic water for a player’s crippling calf cramp will not soon be forgotten.)
The championship game was as close as it gets. Cassiel, who’d spoken so eloquently of his late father during the day’s opening remarks, saw his Impractical Warriors lose a down-to-the-buzzer squeaker, 48–46, to tournament champion CBG.
Cassiel’s grace in defeat was repaid when the entire CBG team, led by their coach, Westwood resident (and borough custodian) Rodney Alexander, walked across the blacktop to the far end of the court and presented their hard-won trophy to Haydn’s widow, Jane Smith.
That classy move was the picture-perfect ending for Haydn’s sterling day.
Many thanks to Tina and Sheldon Jackson for stepping up to manage this event. And to Haydn’s Mt. Zion church family for promoting and embracing it.
Thanks to all the coaches and players and spectators who participated in honoring Haydn.
Thanks to the entire Westwood Council for attending and coaching where needed. Thanks to the WPD’s POA and council members for sponsoring this event, and thanks to DJ Chris Speights.
Thanks to all the local vendors who’d donated raffle prizes.
And a special thank you to WPD Sgt. Anthony Piccinich for his hard work behind the scenes. Anthony throws himself into these events with gusto. He exemplifies the concept of community policing. Like Haydn’s, “Sergeant Anthony’s” love for the people in our community is genuine, and it shows.
Westwood was fortunate to have had Haydn Sterling Smith’s example of strength and devotion. His spirit inspired a wonderful day of fellowship that brought together Haydn’s wife, son, daughters, grandchildren extended family, friends and neighbors.
It drew all the people whom he loved in life, to the resurrected park that he’d, twice, willed back to life. Well done, Haydn. Rest in peace.
— The author is mayor of the Borough of Westwood