Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame

36th Annual
Sports Banquet
Delaware
Sports
Museum
and Hall
of Fame
May 18, 2011
Matt Minker
Builder of Baseball
He Gave All He Knew The
Treatment
Love, Carol, Clark and Michele
The Grandchildren & the Minker Family
Mission Statement
The mission of the Delaware Sports Museum
and Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history,
preserve the legacy, and honor the heroes of
the sports within Delaware and those who
have brought recognition to Delaware by
their accomplishments elsewhere.
The membership strives to educate young
and old about athletics, sportsmanship, and
work ethic while providing inspiration to
maintain active and healthy lifestyles
through sports.
1
PROGRAM
Call to Order
Introduction of Past Inductees
Introduction of Class of 2011
National Anthem
Bips Egnor - Organist
Welcome
Dinner
Volunteer of the Year Award
TBA
Banquet Chairman
Program/Ad Book
Joe Ackerman
Jerry Barsha, Jim Bowden,
Stan Bradley, Ells Edwards,
Holly Fleming, Jack Holloway,
Brett Kleckner, Bob Lennon,
Jon Rafal, Ben Sirman,
Bob Tattersall, Debbie Windett
OFFICERS & BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2011
President
Past President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Historian
Bob Tattersall
Jerry Barsha
Ben Sirman
Jack Holloway
Holly Fleming
Bob Lennon
Ells Edwards
BOARD MEMBERS
Anne Brooking
Sandy Coveleski
Ken Farrall
Brett Kleckner
Jim Clapp
Chuck Durante
Bud Hitchens
Debbie Windett
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
Tom DeLucia
Jon Rafal
MUSEUM DIRECTOR
2
1976
Caras, Jimmy
Johnson, Judy
MacLure, Marion Jessup
Michaels, Eddie
Miller, Creighton
Oliver, Ed
Zwolak, Vic
PAST INDUCTEES
1982
Coveleski, Frank
Garvine, Cliff
Marshall, Chip
O’Neill, Rev. James
Shakespeare, Frank
Taylor, Ellis
Tosi, John
1983
Cooper, Johnny
Green, Dallas
Hazewski, Eddie
Miller, Rosemary
Mulvena, Jack
Murray, Bill
Pitts, Jackie
1977
Koffenberger, Ed
McGowan, Bill
Newlin, Frank
Sawin, Nancy
Tribuani, Al
Waller, Ron
Willis, Vic
1984
Chadick, Paul
Cloud, Nate
Doherty, Billy
Klosiewicz, Cas
May, Dave
McGraw, Rea
Neiger, Al
1978
Carpenter, Bob
Douglas, Dave
Marvil, Dallas
Montero, Dim
Nelson, Dave
Warrington, Tex
Wharton, Buck
1985
Brooks, Lou
Crawford, Al
Crimian, Jack
Doherty III, Gerald P.
Hayes, Walter
Krapf, Jim
McConnell, Willard
Reilly, Kevin
Wilcutts, John
Zablotny, Walter
1979
Cole, Billy
DuPont, Will
Grier, Cap
McMahon, Matchie
Naylor, Millard
Schollenberger, George
Short, Chris
1980
Aiello, Johnny
Betts, Huck
Cartwright, Al
Doherty II, Gerald P.
Field, Bryan
Hall, Tom
Vosters, Bunny
1986
Givens, Charlie
Hayman, Conway
Hickman, John
Johnson, George
Lichtenstein, Vic
Roache, Willie
Turley, Doug
1981
Blaney, Bernie
Chalmers, Shorty
Cihocki, Eddie
Donahue, Matt
Knight, Pat
Sasse, Ralph
Skinner, Bill
1987
Carpenter, Ruly
George, Bennie
Guthrie, Grant
Hagan, Jim
Morris, Johnny
Pankowski, Joe Pennock
Rawstrom, Harry
3
1988
Birkenheuer, Rev. John
Elliot, Carlton
Estock, George
Hoffman, Rob
Justice, Rita
Snowberger, Russ
Swartz, Hymie
PAST INDUCTEES
1994
Anderson, Anthony
Gerow, William “Bill”
McBride, Steve
Moser, Lou
Redden, Art
Slattery, Herb
Sezna, Wally
Sund, Al
White, Randy
1989
Davis, Brandon
Dunn, Chris
Gregg, Steve
Hilyard, Jennifer Franks
Kelley, Robert
Lore, Francis
Spruance, Gretchen Vosters
1995
Brooking, Anne
Dowd, Robert F.
Johnson, Sterling “Terl”
Lesher, John
Martin, Renie
Seaburg, Gus
Slowik, Carol Thomson
1990
Brown. Mike
Carucci, Dom “Quack”
Chambers, Bill
Hahn, Patsy
Lucas, John “Cookie”
Reitzes, Herm
Riley, Bob “Peanuts”
1996
Baker, Dorothy
Cunningham, Bert
Duncan, Scotty
Hall, Mike
Lambert, Rodney
Rylander, C. Roy
Taylor, Irvin “Ace”
Thompson, Harold “Buck”
1991
Bruton, Bill
Jacobs, Forrest V. “Spook”
Johnson, Dave
Mason, Tom
Salvatore, Pete
Walsh, Franny
Wilson, Tim
1997
Baldwin, Renee
Capodanno, Laura
DiPace, Dan
Franks, Roger
Hitchens, Mary Ann
Land, John
Masley, Frank
Meade, Mike
Thomson, William A.
1992
Anderson, Harry
Campbell, Joe
Hawke, Vic
Hayman, Gary
Showalter, Audie Kujala
Passmore, Bill
Wills, Howard
1998
Billings, Bill
Collick, Bill
Hannah, Bob
Motley, Felmon
Shepherd Sr., Lennell
Shockley, Costen
Smith, Janet
Sund, Leonard “Lenny”
1993
Brady, John J.
Katzman, Izzy
Milligan, Hank
Raymond, Harold “Tubby”
Roberts, Milt
Watson, Steve
Wockenfuss, John
4
1999
Balick, Charlotte
DuPont Osborne, Margaret
Gillen, Eugene “Buzzy”
Hanford, Carl
Henry, Spencer
Kenney, Rev. Robert
Saddler, William “Bubby”
PAST INDUCTEES
Grandell, Dr. Peter A.
Kampert, Sue Manelski
Kapa, William L.
Mason, Fred A.
Scott, B. Gary
Silicato, Thomas Carmen
Viera, Barbara L.
2005
Brooks, Sr. C. Melvin
Delaney-Scheetz, Susan
Hoffstein, Ace
Mattson, Bob
Mees, Thomas
Neill, Michael
Purzycki, Joseph
Taylor, John
Townsend, John
Walls, James F.
2000
Farmer Sr., Dale C.
Farmer, Robert (Clyde)
Ferrell, Howard (Toots)
Kadel, C. Walter
Ludington, Ron
Richardson, Elizabeth (Betty)
White Jr., Henry G.
Zabitka, Matthew “Matt”
2001
Bianchini, Rosemary “Roe”
Hanna, Norman
Harris, Dionna
Lewis, Jimmy
Robinson, Robert “Robbie”
Sheats, Earl
Stansky, R. Benjamin
Tiberi, David
Williams, Pat
2006
Andrus, Robert
Buckalew, Bart
DeShields, Delino
Harris, Barbara
Johnson, Dennnis
Koffenberger, Richard'
Leshem, Leonard
Wentworth, James
Wisniewski, Irvin C
2002
Davis, Eddie
Frick, George
Huber-Rudawsky, Vicki
Joseph, Melvin
Kane, Joseph
Meharg, Margaret “Missy”
McCall, Francis J. “Mike”
Trotter, Harold
2007
Bernard “Barney” Briggs
Jim Bundren
Bob Immediato
Vincent “Winnie” Mayer
Rick McCall
Lovett Purnell
Vinnie Scott
David Whitcraft
Val Whiting
2003
Bastianelli, Herm
Ciesinski, Roman “Ray”
Damico, Lawrence “Laudy”
Dayton, Julie Ann
Ferguson, Pat Ryan
Pheiffer, William
Reynolds, Bruce
Steers, Kenneth D.
Taylor, Steve
2008
Bender, Lou
Carmichael, Donald “Ducky”
Clapp, Jim
Dickerson, Ron
Ferris, Brenda Becker
Fry, Doris Callaway
Holloway, Jack
Hudson, Aubrey
Knisely, Mary Schilly
Oddo, Jim “Whitey”
Rollins Sr., John W.
Smith, Jim
2004
Apostolico, Martin
Bodley, Hal
Bucci, Nicholas
English, A. J.
5
2009
Edward “Punk” Callaway
Albert “Buddy” Clark, Jr.
James “Jimmy” Flynn
Dave Hubinger
James “JJ” Johnson
Frank Kaminski
Clifton “Gator” Lewis
Tom Marshall
Mike McGlinchey
F. Tucker “Tuck” Mulrooney
Charles “Gene” Schaen
Dave Sysko
PAST INDUCTEES
2010
Steve Bastianelli
Frank Cephous
Bob Degroat
Helen Doherty
Ted Kempski
Laura Knorr Moliken
Jamie Natalie
Jim “Tuffy” Pabst
Terence Stansbury
Chester V. “Bud” Townsend
Mary Jane Weldin
6
INDUCTEES 1976-2010
Aiello, Johnny
Anderson, Anthony
Anderson, Harry
Andrus, Robert
Apostolico, Martin
Baker, Dorothy
Baldwin, Renee
Balick, Charlotte
Bastianelli, Herm
Bastianelli, Steve
Bender, Lou
Betts, Huck
Birkenheuer, Rev John
Bianchini, Rosemary
Billings, Bill
Blaney, Bernie
Bodley, Hal
Brady, John J.
Briggs, Bernard “Barney”
Brooking, Anne
Brooks, C. Melvin Sr
Brooks, Lou
Brown, Mike
Bruton, Bill
Bucci, Nicholas
Buckalew, Bart
Bundren, Jim
Callaway, Edward “Punk”
Campbell, Joe
Capodanno, Laura
Carmichael, Donald “Ducky”
Carpenter, Bob
Carpenter, Ruly
Carras, Jimmy
Cartwright, Al
Carucci, Dom “Quack”
Cephous, Frank
Chadick, Paul
Chalmers, Short
Chambers, Bill
Ciesinski, Roman “Ray”
Cihocki, Eddie
Clapp, Jim
Clark, Albert “Buddy” Jr.
Cloud, Nate
Cole, Billy
Collick, Bill
Cooper, John
Coveleski, Frank
Crawford, Al
Crimian, Jack
Cunningham, Bert
Damico, Lawrence “Laudy”
1980
1994
1992
2006
2004
1996
1997
1999
2003
2010
2008
1980
1988
2001
1998
1981
2004
1993
2007
1995
2005
1985
1990
1991
2004
2006
2007
2009
1992
1997
2008
1978
1987
1976
1980
1990
2010
1984
1981
1990
2003
1981
2008
2009
1984
1979
1998
1983
1982
1985
1985
1996
2003
Davis, Brandon “Brandy”
Davis, Eddie
Dayton, Julie Ann
Degroat, Bob
Delaney-Scheetz, Susan
DeShields, Delino
Dickerson, Ron
DiPace, Dan
Doherty, III, Gerald P.
Doherty, II, Gerald P.
Doherty, Billy
Doherty, Helen
Donohue, Matt
Douglas, Dave
Dowd, Robert F.
Duncan, Scotty
Dunn, Chris
DuPont, Margaret Osborne
DuPont, Will
Elliott, Carlton
English, A.J.
Estock, George
Farmer, Sr., Dale C.
Farmer, Robert “Clyde”
Ferguson, Pat Ryan
Ferrell, Howard “Toots”
Ferris, Brenda Becker
Field, Bryan
Flynn, James “Jimmy”
Franks, Roger
Frick, George
Fry, Doris Callaway
Garvine, Cliff
George, Bennie
Gerow, Bill
Gillen, Eugene “Buzzy”
Givens, Charlie
Grandell, Peter A.
Green, Dallas
Gregg, Steve
Grier, Cap
Guthrie, Grant
Hagan, Jim
Hahn, Patsy
Hall, Mike
Hall, Tom
Hanford, Carl
Hanna, Norman
Hannah, Bob
Harris, Barbara
Harris, Dionna
Hawke, Vic
Hayes, Walter
7
1989
2002
2003
2010
2005
2006
2008
1997
1985
1980
1984
2010
1981
1978
1995
1996
1989
1999
1979
1988
2004
1988
2000
2000
2003
2000
2008
1980
2009
1997
2002
2008
1982
1987
1994
1999
1986
2004
1983
1989
1979
1987
1987
1990
1996
1980
1999
2001
1998
2006
2001
1992
1985
INDUCTEES 1976-2010
Hayman, Conway
Hayman, Gary
Hazewski, Eddie
Henry, Spencer
Hickman, John
Holloway, Jack
Hubinger, Dave
Hudson, Aubrey
Johnson, Dave
Johnson, Dennis
Johnson, George
Johnson, James ”JJ”
Johnson, Sterling “Terl”
Johnson, Judy
Joseph, Melvin
Justice, Rita
Kadel, C. Walter
Kampert, Sue Manelski
Kapa, Willliam L.
Kaminski, Frank
Katzman, Izzy
Kane, Joseph
Kelley, Robert
Kempski, Ted
Kenney, Rev. Robert
Klosiewicz, Cas
Knight, Pat
Knisely, Mary Schilly
Koffenberger, Ed
Koffenberger, Richard “Dick”
Krapf, Jim
Lambert, Rodney
Land, John
Leshem, Leonard
Lesher, John
Lewis, Clifton “Gator”
Lewis, Jimmy
Lichenstein, Vic
Lore, Francis
Lucas, John “Cookie”
Ludington, Ron
MacLure, Marion Jessup
Marshall, Chip
Marchall, Tom
Martin, Renie
Marvil, Dallas
Masley, Frank
Mason, Fred
Mason, Tom
Mattson, Bob
May, Dave
Mayer, Vincent “Winnie”
1986
1992
1983
1999
1986
2008
2009
2008
1991
2006
1986
2009
1995
1976
2002
1988
2000
2004
2004
2009
1993
2002
1989
2010
1999
1984
1981
2008
1977
2006
1985
1996
1997
2006
1995
2009
2001
1986
1989
1990
2000
1976
1982
2009
1995
1978
1997
2004
1991
2005
1984
2007
McBride, Steve
McCall, Francis J. “Mike”
McCall, Rick
McConnell,Willard
McGlinchey, Mike
McGowan, Bill
McGraw, Rea
McMahon, Matchie
Meade, Mike
Mees, Tom
Meharg, Margaret
Michaels, Eddie
Miller, Creighton
Miller, Rosemary
Milligan, Hank
Moliken, Laura Knorr
Montero, Dim
Morris, Johnny
Moser, Lou
Motley, Felman
Mulrooney, F. Tucker “Tuck”
Mulvena, Jack
Murray, Bill
Natalie, Jamie
Naylor, Millard
Neiger, Al
Neill, Michael
Nelson, Dave
Newlin, Frank
Oddo, Jim “Whitey”
Oliver, Ed
O'Neill, Rev. James
Pabst, Jim “Tuffy”
Pankowski, Joe Pennock
Passmore, Bill
Pheiffer, William
Pitts, Jackie
Purnell, Lovett
Purzycki, Joseph
Rawstrom, Harry
Raymond, Harold “Tubby”
Redden, Art
Reilly, Kevin
Reitzes, Herm
Reynolds, Bruce
Richardson Elizabeth “Betty”
Riley, Bob “Peanuts”
Roache, Willie
Roberts, Milt
Robinson, Robert
Rollins Sr., John W.
Rudawsky, Vicki Huber
8
1994
2002
2007
1985
2009
1977
1984
1979
1997
2005
2002
1976
1976
1983
1993
2010
1978
1987
1994
1998
2009
1983
1983
2010
1979
1984
2005
1978
1977
2008
1976
1982
2010
1987
1992
2003
1983
2007
2005
1987
1993
1994
1985
1990
2003
2000
1990
1986
1993
2001
2008
2002
INDUCTEES 1976-2010
Rylander, C. Roy
Saddler,William “Bubby”
Salvatore, Pete
Sasse, Ralph
Sawin, Nancy
Schaen, Charles “Gene”
Schollenberger, George
Scott, B. Gary
Scott, Vinnie
Seaburg, Gus
Sezna, Wally
Shakespeare, Frank
Sheats, Earl
Shepherd, Sr. Lennell
Shockley, Costen
Short, Chris
Showalter, Audie Kujala
Silicato, Thomas Carmen
Smith, Jim
Snowberger, Russ
Spruance, Gretchen Vosters
Stansbury, Terence
Stansky, R. Benjamin
Steers, Kenneth D.
Sund, Al
Sund, Leonard “Lenny”
Swartz, Hymie
Sysko, Dave
Taylor, Ellis
Taylor, Irvin
Taylor, John
Taylor, Steve
Thompson, Harold “Buck”
1996
1999
1991
1981
1977
2009
1979
2004
2007
1995
1994
1982
2001
1998
1998
1979
1992
2004
2008
1988
1989
2010
2001
2003
1994
1998
1988
2009
1982
1996
2005
2003
1996
Thomson, William A.
Tiberi, David
Tosi, John
Townsend, Chester V. “Bud”
Townsend, John
Tribuani, Al
Trotter, Harold
Turley, Doug
Viera, Barbara L.
Vosters, Bunny
Waller, Ron
Walls, James F.
Walsh, Franny
Warrington, Caleb “Tex”
Watson, Steve
Weldin, Mary Jane
Wentworth, James “Jim”
Wharton, Buck
Whitcraft, David
White, Jr. G. Henry
White, Randy
Whiting, Val
Wilcutts, John
Williams, Pat
Willis, Vic
Wills, Howard
Wilson, Tim
Wisniewski, Irvin C.
Wockenfuss, John
Zabitka, Matthew
Zablotny, Walter
Zwolak, Vic
9
1997
2001
1982
2010
2005
1977
2002
1986
2004
1980
1977
2005
1991
1978
1993
2010
2006
1978
2007
2000
1994
2007
1985
2001
1977
1992
1991
2006
1993
2000
1985
1976
Sherman Dillard
The leading basketball scorer in the Blue Hen Conference in
the 1960's, Sherman Dillard starred at Tulsa University and
was a late cut by the St. Louis Hawks in 1967. A first team
all-stater at De La Warr High School in 1961 and 1962, he
was the only Blue Hen Conference player to exceed 1,000
points in the league’s first 23 years. After his two years at
Parsons (Kans.) Junior College, coach Joe Swank recruited
Dillard and two teammates as the first black players at Tulsa
University. In his junior year, 1964-65, Sherman was seventh
man for a 14-11 team that beat three top-15 schools, including
Seattle (led by Tom Workman), San Francisco (with Ollie Johnson) and Wichita (with Nate
Bowman). In his senior year, 1965-66, he was among the nation’s leaders in field goal percentage, shooting 182 for 342 (.532) and led Tulsa to the Rainbow Classic championship, making
the all-tournament team. He was second leading scorer for the 16-13 Hurricanes, becoming the
seventh player in school history to exceed 400 points in a season. A strong performance in the
1967 national AAU tournament led the NBA champion 76ers to draft him, making him the third
Delaware player taken in the NBA draft (after Ed Koffenberger and Nate Cloud). That fall, he
was the last guard cut by the Hawks, the Western Conference finalists. He was the second male
player (after Koffenberger) inducted into the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Mary-de Mackie Hand
Mary-de Mackie Hand, along with DSMHOF Hall of
Famer Jenni Franks, dominated Delaware women’s swimming for more than a decade. Hand earned a scholarship to
the University of South Carolina, where she was a threetime All-America selection and set school records in 3
events. Hand qualified for two Olympic Trials, and made
it to the AAU Nationals for 10 consecutive years. Mary-de
began swimming at Wilmington Aquatic Club (WAC) when
she was 4 years old. By age 10, Mary-de was among the
East Coast’s elite competitive swimmers. Hand owned the
nationís fastest time in the age 11-12 200-yard girls’
freestyle for two years (1970-72). Although her high school
(A.I.duPont) had no swimming program, Mary-de
competed in AAU regional and national meets and summer
swim leagues. Before she left Delaware, Mary-de left a tsunami of broken records in her wake.
These include her 1973 Delaware open meet 500-yard freestyle mark for girls (13-14 age group)
and the girl’s 1,650-yard freestyle record Hand set at age 16 in the Delaware State Swim Meet.
Mary-de won 5 events in that 1975 meet, a precursor of today’s state high school championships.
At age 15, Mary-de was ranked 11th in the United States and 18th in the world in the girl’s
1,500-meter freestyle. She competed in the 1976 Olympic Trials at age16. Hand qualified for
the 1980 Olympic Trials, but her dreams of Olympic gold were shattered by the American boycott of Olympic competition that year. At South Carolina, Hand made the women’s All-America
swim team in 1978, 1979 and 1981. She set school records in the 500 and 1,000-meter freestyle
in 1978 and the 400-meter individual medley in 1979.
10
Dwayne Henry
After a dominant three-sport career at Middletown High
School, Dwayne Henry pitched 11 seasons with the Rangers,
Braves, Reds, Astros and Tigers, and played professionally for
another 10 years in Taiwan, Japan and Mexico. The first
Delaware athlete to be named first-team All-State in football,
basketball and baseball, The Philadelphia Inquirer chose him
Delaware high school Athlete of the Year in 1980. All-state at
both quarterback and safety, he led the Cavaliers to the
Division Two title as a junior, and scored or passed for 162 of
his team’s 200 points as a senior. In basketball, he became the
leading scorer in Blue Hen Conference player history, and graduated as the fourth leading
scorer in state history. An all-conference pitcher, shortstop and first baseman, he hit .400 twice
and led Middletown to the state championship game. In a seven-inning Senior League game in
1979, he fanned 17 batters. In ninth grade, his sole year in track, he anchored Middletown’s
mile relay team. Henry was recruited by more than 100 colleges. He accepted a football
scholarship to University of North Carolina before Texas made him the 29th player selected in
the 1980 amateur draft. After pioneering surgery from Dr. Frank Jobe to remove a painful
elbow nerve, he reached the majors in late 1984. He fanned 7.4 batters per nine innings over his
decade-long career. Henry peaked in 1991 (Houston) and 1992 (Cincinnati), with ERA’s of 3.19
and 3.33 and WHIP of 1.33 and 1.23 in 112 games.
Karen Kohn
The preeminent girl’s high school coach in Delaware over
three decades, Karen Kohn produced powerhouse field hockey
and basketball teams at A. I. du Pont. In her 20 years as A. I.
basketball coach, her teams went 227-86 (.725), making her
the state’s winningest girl’s coach when her tenure ended in
1986. Her Tigers won the state championship in 1977,
finishing second the year before. Her teams also reached the
final four three other times, and won 11 Blue Hen Conference
titles. She was named the state girl’s basketball coach of the
year in 1968, 1977 and 1986. During Kohn’s tenure as field
hockey coach, 1966-1990, A.I. won eight Blue Hen Conference
titles, and repeated as state champions in 1975 and 1976. Over her 25 seasons, the Tigers went
202-69 (.745) in field hockey. She was the state’s coach of the year in 1967, 1976 and 1986.
Kohn played a pivotal role in the advancement of girls sports, held leadership positions in
coaches’ associations, positively influenced girls throughout the state and received the Pioneer
Award from the Delaware Women’s Alliance for Sports and Fitness in 2004. When A.I. was
without a girls track coach in the late 1970’s, she learned the sport and helped one of her
athletes develop into a state champion. She was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988
at Ursinus College, where she starred in basketball and also lettered in field hockey, softball
and lacrosse.
11
Joe Lank
Joe Lank was an outstanding athlete at Milford High School
and the University of Delaware in the late 1940’s and early
1950’s. A three year football letterman at Delaware, Joe played
offensive end and defensive back as the Blue Hens’ lone
60-minute player his senior year. His pass reception and 50
yard touchdown run provided Delaware’s only points in a near
upset of highly favored Temple in 1951. Joe was the team’s
second highest scorer, an All-East defensive back nominee,
and a recipient of the Taylor Trophy, the first native
Delawarean to win the football team’s individual player award.
Delaware’s three year starting shortstop, Joe led the team in
home runs and RBI’s in 1951, batting .311 and stealing 14 bases. He was also a letterman in
track competing in discus and javelin. The Varsity Club selected Lank for the University’s
Outstanding Athlete Award of 1951-52. At Milford High, Joe was the first athlete to letter in
four sports. He was a standout end for Milford’s 1946 championship football team, captain of
the 1947 squad, and one of the leading scorers in the state. Joe started at center for three
basketball seasons, and then competed in baseball and track in the spring. He joined Milford’s
first track team in 1946, and won the 1948 state meet championship in two events, the discus
(state meet record) and javelin. Following a 28-year Army career, Joe commanded the
Delaware National Guard, retiring a Major General. He now lives in Lewes.
Matt Minker
Matthew C. “Matt” Minker played a major role in bringing
professional baseball back to Wilmington after a 35-year hiatus
and building Frawley Stadium, home of the Blue Rocks, which
sparked the renaissance of Wilmington’s waterfront. Minker’s
lifelong passion was baseball. He played varsity baseball at
Conrad High, the University of Delaware and in Wilmington’s
semi-pro leagues. He later founded Minker Construction Co.
In the early 1990’s Matt became a part owner of the Blue
Rocks franchise and his company completed the team’s new
stadium in time for the Blue Rocks’ April, 1993 home opener.
Wilmington’s re-entry into professional baseball was an immediate and long-term success under
Minker’s leadership. As an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals from 1993 through 2004,
Wilmington had the best winning percentage among all full-season minor league clubs. Also
during that span, the Rocks made the Class A Carolina League playoffs 10 times, winning four
championships. Minker eventually became the team’s majority owner, and was named to the
national Minor League Baseball Board of Directors. He also owned a share of the Class AAA
Omaha, Nebraska Royals club. Matt believed in giving back to the local community. He was a
strong supporter of the Canal and other Little Leagues, and opened Frawley Stadium to
Delaware high school baseball. For these efforts, Matt was inducted into the Delaware High
School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006. Minker was instrumental in obtaining the present-day
site of the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame at Frawley Stadium.
12
William Moyer
Born in Lewes and raised in Laurel, Delaware, William Moyer
set an NCAA national swimming record while earning
All-American honors in 1966 at Dickinson College. He also
set numerous school and pool records while dominating East
Coast rivals. His record of excellence continues today, nearly
50 years later in Delaware Senior Olympics Masters Swimming and Mid-Atlantic triathlon competition, where Bill has
set local and regional records. Moyer was the first athlete at
Dickinson to be named All American in any sport. In college,
Moyer won gold medals in the Middle Atlantic Conference
(MAC) Swimming Championships for 4 consecutive years in
3 events: the 100-yd. Breastroke, 200-yd. Breaststroke and 400-yard medley relay. Bill set the
Dickinson and pool records in the 200-yard breaststroke and 400-yd. Medley relay in his freshman year. He broke each of these records in his sophomore, junior and senior years. Moyer was
the first freshman at Dickinson to be selected swimming MVP as a freshman. He co-captained
the team in his junior and senior seasons. Moyer was the first swimmer inducted into the
Dickinson Sports Hall of Fame. Moyer was also a swimming phenom at Mercersburg Academy,
where he set school records in the 100-yard breaststroke and on the 200-yard medley relay. In
1978, Bill began 17 years of Masters Swimming competition, setting numerous breaststroke
records. He has established Delaware state records in breaststroke in four different age brackets.
Since 1992, Bill has competed in Mid-Atlantic Region triathlons. In 2009 he was the overall
point earner for the Greater Atlantic Multisport Championship sponsored by Pirhana Sports. He
serves as Delaware Special Olympics coordinator for triathlons and has also coached Special
Olympics teams.
Sheldon Thomas
Sheldon Thomas is arguably the greatest wrestler in Delaware
history, having been a three-time NCAA Div. I All-American
for Clarion University, where he also won a NCAA title at
118lbs. in 1996. Thomas is the only Delawarean to win a
NCAA mat championship. Sheldon wrestled for St. Marks
High School, where he earned four individual state championship titles. He was named Delaware’s outstanding prep
wrestler 2 consecutive years (1991 and 1992). A highly
accomplished freestyle wrestler as well, Thomas finished fifth
at the Olympic Freestyle Trials in both 1996 and 2000. In 1998,
he made the USA Senior National Team, and was a three-time
Junior National Champion during his high school years. Thomas was recently inducted into the
Delaware Wrestling Hall of Fame. During his 4 years as a starter for the Clarion Eagles,
Thomas posted a 124-12 career record. Sheldon has served as an assistant wrestling coach at
Clarion and was a club coach at Lock Haven University. He was an assistant for the University
of Pennsylvania beginning in 2003, where his role was to develop and train the team’s lightweights. A few years after Sheldon began at Penn, Quakers wrestler Matt Velenti made a name
for himself by winning two national titles in the 125lbs. and 133 pound classes. Thomas
currently operates the Thomas Wrestling Academy in Delaware.
13
Larry Wheeler
Larry Wheeler became the all-time winningest high school
baseball coach in the history of the state of Delaware in 2010,
surpassing the record of Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of
Fame inductee The Rev. Robert Kenny from Salesianum. In
Wheeler’s first 31 years as head baseball coach his teams
amassed a record of 419-169 at Claymont, Brandywine and
Delaware Military Academy. Claymont and Brandywine had
the smallest enrollments in their conference, however, his
teams always played at a high level. Wheeler’s teams were
known for being prepared and playing hard. At Claymont,
Wheeler’s teams won 9 Flight B Championships, qualified for
the state tournament 10 times, appeared in 4 semi-finals, 3 championship games and won the
state championship in 1973. At Brandywine, Wheeler’s teams won 4 Flight A Championships,
qualified for the state tournament 10 times, appeared in 4 semi-finals, 3 championship games
and won the 2002 state championship. At Delaware Military Academy his teams have an overall record of 53-45. Wheeler’s first team All-State players include: Tony Coppol, Carmen
Coppol, Walter Coppol, Mike Dougherty, Tom Marcin, Mark Santiobianco, Mike Pabst, Tony
Cella, Ralph Cella, Frank Fortuna, Greg Marcin and Andy Fox (1998 Player of the year).
Additionally, Wheeler coached football at Claymont and Brandywine. His teams amassed a
record of 127-80-1. Larry is the only coach to lead Claymont and Brandywine to the high
school football championship game. Wheeler continues to coach baseball at Delaware Military
where he instills competitive spirit and winning attitude in his players.
Doug White
Delaware long-distance running ace Doug White has achieved
a milestone matched by only five other athletes in the world:
Through 2011, Doug has qualified for and completed 38
consecutive Boston Marathons –a race considered one of the
most grueling sporting events on the planet. He also holds
multiple Delaware distance running records. The Dickinson
High graduate has completed more than 80 marathons, run at a
testing 26-mile, 385-yard distance. He was top Delaware
finisher in the Boston Marathon 7 times and headed the state’s
Master’s finishers 4 times. Doug’s average time for the first
14 Boston Marathons was 2 hours, 39 minutes and 29 seconds.
His best Boston showing in the Master’s age 40-49 class was an 8th place finish in 1985. He
was 14th at Boston in the Master’s age 60-69 class in 2004. White’s distance running success
has not been limited to Boston. He was 2nd in the 1982 Philadelphia Half-Marathon. Doug won
the 1984 Broad Street 10-Miler in Philadelphia Master’s class and was 15th overall among
3,000 runners. Of the 49 marathons run at a sub-6-minute pace by Delaware residents, White
accounts for 15 of them – more than any other state resident by a huge margin. He owns the
record of 34 consecutive finishes in the Caesar Rodney Half-Marathon, and once held the
Master’s course record in that event. Doug is an internationally ranked Master’s competitor by
Runner’s World Magazine. Overall, White has run some 85,000 miles in competition – equivalent to more than 3 times around the world. He has been inducted into the Pike Creek Valley
Running Club Hall of Fame.
14
PAST PRESIDENTS
1976 - 1979
1980 - 1981
1982 - 1983
1984 - 1985
1986 - 1987
1988 - 1989
1990 - 1991
1992 - 1993
1994 - 1995
1996 - 1997
1998 - 1999
2000 - 2001
2002 - 2003
2004 - 2005
2006 - 2006
2007 - 2009
Albert T. Cartwright
Lou Romanoli
Nancy Sawin
William Kapa
F. Tucker Mulrooney
Sidney Balick
Stanley Bradley
Joseph Young
Joseph Eckrich
George Frick
Stanley Friedman
Barbara Viera
F. Tucker Mulrooney
Audrey K. Showalter
Jay Blank
Jerry Barsha
PATRONS
Joe & Shirley Ackerman
Kenny Ackerman
Jack & Carolyn Agnew
Jerry & Sandy Barsha
Stan & Vada Bradley
Anne Brooking
Jim Clapp
Peter & Staci Coveleski
Sandy Coveleski
Tom & Pat DeLucia
Chuck Durante
Ells Edwards
Ken Farrall
15
PATRONS
Holly Fleming
Roger & Joyce Franks
Pete & Kit Grandell
Bud Hitchens
Jack Holloway
Stan Kaczorowski
Brett Kleckner
Bob Lennon
Tom & Diana Mason
Tom & Doris Mason
Bob & Nancy Mattson
Sam Minutola
Betsy & Tuck Mulrooney
G. Scott & Joanne Reihm
Gary & Audie Showalter
Ellen & Ben Sirman
Fay Stone
Bob Tattersall
Barbara L. Viera
Mary Jane Weldin
Barry Wills
Betty Wills
Adam Windett
Bill Windett
Corey Windett
Debbie Windett
Jason Windett
Kate Windett
16
17
18
19
Estern Shore League is available wherever books are sold, including
Arcadiapublishing.com, Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes and Noble and
most Walgreens.
20
Congratulations
To All The
2011 Inductees
Especially Matt Minker
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Congratulations Dad/Grandpop!
You deserve this!
Love, Jennifer, Jason, Max & Rhys
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
The ideal place for your
meeting, event or wedding:
Ours.
The Chase Center on the Riverfront.
For information call 302.425.3929
or visit www.centerontheriverfront.com.
41
Melvin L. Joseph Const. Co., Inc.
M. L. Joseph Sand & Gravel Co., Inc.
42
43
CONGRATULATIONS
TO ALL 2011
HALL OF FAME
INDUCTEES
44
45
46
CONGRATULATIONS
DOUG WHITE
Upon Your Well Deserved
Election To The
Delaware Sports Museum &
Hall of Fame
You are a true friend &
inspiration to us all.
Vic Zwolak
Paul Schweizer
Dave Spartin
Dennis Toner
Wayne Kursh
Dave Knobelspiess
Dr. Bill Funk
Dave Pie
Bob Kacmarcik
Ron Hoffman
The entire White family
47
48
49
Delaware Military Academy Athletic
booster Club would like to congratulate
Head Coach Larry Wheeler
on his induction into the Delaware
Sports Museum and Hall of Fame
for becoming the most winning high
school baseball coach in the history of
Delaware. Delaware Military Academy
is proud to have you as part of our
coaching staff. Congratulations, and
continue your winning ways with
DMA baseball.
50
51
52
Monday 10-6, Thursday and Friday 10-8 ° Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 10-5
1 1/2 mile south of Delaware Memorial Bridge on Rt. 13 & 40 before airport
Jackson Ave. & Du Pont Hwy., New Castle, DE
Inducted into the Trapshooting Hall of Fame in 1979
Inducted into the Skeetshooting Hall of Fame in 2002
53
Please patronize
our advertisers.
You’ll be
supporting those
who support us.
54
The Delaware Sportswriters and
Broadcasters Association
honors the Class of 2011 Inductees
55
56
Congratulations
Joe Lank
on your induction into
The Delaware Sports
Museum and Hall of Fame
Family of Coach Barney Briggs
57
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JOHN J. AIELLO, SR.
DSMHOF
1980 INDUCTEE
FROM THE AIELLO FAMILY
58
Congratulations to
2011 Inductees
R. R. M. Carpenter, III
59
In Loving Memory William L. Kapa
Robert S. Kapa
- The Kapa Family
60
Congratulations to
2011 Inductees
Ed Koffenberger
Dick Koffenberger
1977
2006
Please patronize
our advertisers.
You’ll be
supporting those
who support us.
61
Custom Monogramming
Bags, luggage and gift items
Your things or mine
200 Delaware Street
Historic New Castle, Delaware 19720
62
(302) 324-9570
63
www.RichardMasonCPA.com
Congratulations to the
2011 Inductees
Steve McBride
1994 Inductee
Elite PT
100 Garden of Eden Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
302-477-1536
Specializing in orthopedic, sports
and manual therapy
James “Hash” Hashimoto
Andrew “Rudy” Rudawsky
Mike Voltz
Brie Sheppard
Jay Hartnett
64
Please patronize
our advertisers.
You’ll be supporting
those who support us.
65
66
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
The Aiello Family
58
William & Robert Kapa
American Karate Studios
30
Kimmel, Carter, Roman & Peltz
Anytime Fitness-Wilmington
63
Dick & Ed Koffenberger
61
Assoc. Bldrs. & Cont.-Matt Minker 36
Karen Kohn-Ursinus College
26
Bellevue Insurance Services
44
Joe Lank- Coach Barney Briggs Family
Bertie’s Bags & Sew On
62
57
R. R. M. Carpenter, III
59
Joe Lank-Family
35
Carper for Senate
55
Joe Lank-Milford School District
34
Chase Center
41
Maguire Pest Control
84
Mike Clark Legacy Foundation
39
Richard A. Mason, CPA
63
Delaware Children’s Museum
40
Steve McBride
64
Delaware Park
49
Mealey Funeral Homes
59
Del. Sportswriters& Broadcasters
55
Mid County & First State Lanes
21
Delmarva Power
18
Miller’s Gun Center
53
Dental Associates of Delaware
19
Matt Minker
Diamond State Recycle
63
Matt Minker-Wilmington Blue Rocks
A. I. DuPont-Hand & Kohn
46
Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
25
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
23
Dover Downs Speedway
31
Bill Moyer-Brian Bushweller
66
Eastern Shore League
20
Bill Moyer-Family
28
Bips Egnor
64
Bill Moyer-Charles & Moggie Moyer
Elite Physical Therapy
64
Fairfax Hardware
65
Bill Moyer-DE Senior Olympics
60
Farley Printing Company
43
Phoenix Fire Equipment
66
First State Orthopaedics
24
Ristorante Attilio
64
Ginny K. Fisher
66
Salesianum School
61
Maryde M. Hand
62
Schreppler Chiropractic
66
Frank Shakespeare
65
45
John J. Thaler, II, DDS
65
Holmes Insurance
58
The Trophy Shop
52
Sandra Johnson
56
Sheldon Thomas-Clarion University 33
Melvin L. Joseph
42
Sheldon Thomas-St. Marks School
60
OBC
IFC
37
29
Maryde Mackie Hand-Mackie Family
67
32
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
University of Delaware
48
Verizon
27
Walter’s Steak House
56
Larry Wheeler-DE Military Academy
50
DougWhite
Larry Wheeler-Blue Hen Ath. Conf. AD
51
Larry Wheeler-Brandywine High School
57
68
IBC
Doug White-Contributors
47
Wilmington City Council
38
Adam Windett
62
Deborah Windett
62