Paterson renames Presidential Boulevard in honor of slain girl, deceased coach
By Jayed Rahman
Published: September 23, 2016
The city is additionally naming Presidential Boulevard to Nazerah Bugg and Tyrone Collins Way in tribute to the 14-year-old girl untimely killed by a stray bullet and the coach who drowned in a swimming pool.
Council members approved naming Presidential Boulevard between Temple and Arch Streets to be also known as Nazerah Bugg and Tyrone Collins Way on Tuesday night.
“I take my hat off to both families. Hopefully this will continue the legacy of Nazerah and coach Collins,” said Michael Jackson, 1st Ward councilman, who represents the area where the street is located.
Members of both families were present in the council chambers when the municipal council approved the street naming.
“It gives me great pleasure to keep the memories alive,” said Maritza Davila, councilwoman at-large.
The Bugg family has been keeping the memory of the slain 14-year-old girl alive through an annual girls basketball tournaments, clinics, and community clean-up projects through the Nazerah’s Hoop Dreams Foundation.
Bugg was killed on September 20th, 2014 on Clinton and North Main Streets. She was a freshman at International High School and played basketball for John F. Kennedy High School.
The family adopted the Tyrone Collins Park on the bank of the Passaic River. Collins was a city native and a top high school basketball player in Passaic County, according to the resolution. He was All Area in 1967, 1968, and 1969; All State in 1968 and 1969; and All America in 1969. He became a successful coach and mentor winning 300 victories and several champion ships, reads the street naming resolution.
Collins drowned in a pool and died at 46 years of age. Her son was coached by Collins, said Ruby Cotton, 4th Ward councilwoman. She said Collins was a community minded coach who took care of the city’s young people.
Jackson said Collins mentored him.
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