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Hackensack council renames intersection to honor coach Gordon “Scooter” Whiting
Summary
The Hackensack City Council voted unanimously June 16 to designate the intersection of Beach and Second streets as Gordon Scooter Whiting Way, honoring the late coach and longtime school administrator; his wife, Dr. Joy Whiting, accepted the recognition and thanked the community.
The Hackensack City Council voted unanimously June 16 to commemorate the intersection of Beach Street and Second Street as Gordon Scooter Whiting Way, honoring a longtime coach, athletic director and assistant principal whose service the council described as spanning decades.
Mayor Kasim Gaines read Resolution 160‑26, which described Whiting as “a devoted member of the Hackensack community” who served as a football and basketball coach and athletic director for the Hackensack School District. The resolution notes Whiting passed away on May 15, 2026 and directs city officials to determine an appropriate way to reflect the commemorative renaming and to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the Whiting family and the board of education.
Dr. Joy Whiting, identified in the resolution as principal of Hackensack Middle School and the coach’s wife, spoke at the council meeting. Representing her children and extended family, she thanked the council and the community and described her husband as “a humble man… who lived loudly for the children of Hackensack.” She closed with the remark, “Your life is a better sermon than your lips.”
Council members cast roll‑call votes in favor of the resolution and the mayor announced the measure passed. The resolution directs the city clerk and appropriate officials to determine how the commemorative name will be displayed and to notify the Whiting family.
The action is ceremonial; the resolution sets no regulatory changes to property or wayfinding beyond directing officials to identify an appropriate manner to reflect the commemorative designation and to notify the family and relevant offices.
