Mayor James Solomon Appoints Peter J. Vincent as Director of Recreation and Youth Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nathaniel Styer, Communications Director
[email protected]
MAYOR JAMES SOLOMON APPOINTS PETER J. VINCENT AS DIRECTOR OF RECREATION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Jersey City Native and Veteran Youth Advocate to Lead Department, Prioritize Expansion of Youth Programs
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (May 1, 2026) — Mayor James Solomon today announced the appointment of Peter J. Vincent as Director of the Department of Recreation and Youth Development. Vincent, a born and raised Jersey City resident and accomplished athletics administrator with more than two decades of experience in youth development and collegiate athletics, will report to Deputy Mayor for Education Dia Bryant.
"Peter Vincent is exactly the kind of person this role was made for,"
said Mayor James Solomon. "He grew up here, he's spent his entire career investing in young people, and he knows firsthand the difference that access to opportunity can make. I'm confident he'll bring the same energy and dedication to our youth programs that he's brought to every team and program he's ever led. I'm grateful he's coming home."
Vincent comes to the role with an extensive background in youth programming, coaching, and institutional leadership. He most recently served as Director of Athletics at Centenary University, where he oversaw 16 intercollegiate athletic programs and served as a member of the university's senior leadership cabinet. Prior to that, he spent 14 years at New Jersey City University as Assistant Director of Athletics, where he co-founded the Rising Knight Institute — an academic retention and student-athlete success program — and led game-day operations, summer camp programming, and sport administration.
"Jersey City made me who I am, and this is an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way,"
said Peter Vincent. "Mayor Solomon and Deputy Mayor Bryant have made it clear that investing in our young people is a cornerstone of this administration, and I couldn't be more energized to get to work. Expanding the city’s youth programs is a real, tangible way to change lives, and that's what drives me. I can't wait to get started."
A Jersey City native and graduate of St. Anthony High School, Vincent brings deep roots in the community he will now serve. Beyond collegiate athletics, he has spent years coaching and mentoring young people across Hudson County, including a decade as Head Coach of the Girls Varsity Basketball program at Hudson Catholic Regional High School — where he compiled a 142-72 record and was named Hudson County Coach of the Year twice — and as a coach and clinician with the legendary Hurley Family Foundation alongside Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley Sr. He currently serves as Co-Director of the United NJ AAU Basketball Program, which fields 16 travel teams for players between the ages of 10 and 18, and has contributed to youth basketball development for decades through the Philadelphia 76ers' overnight camp program and Five-Star Basketball Camps.
As Director, Vincent's first priority will be executing on Mayor Solomon's commitment to expand Jersey City's youth program offerings, recreation opportunities, and creating new economic opportunities for young residents citywide.
Vincent holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Centenary University and is pursuing a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership, expected in December 2026. He is a USA Basketball Certified Gold Level Coach.
Nathaniel Styer
Communications Director | City of Jersey City
[email protected]