NEWARK, DE -- Gerald P. “Doc” Doherty, who earned a spot in University of Delaware football history as an All-American running back in the 1940’s, passed away May 31 at the age of 87.

Doherty (at right), who was inducted into the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease several years ago.

A native of Wilmington, DE and a star player at Archmere Academy, Doherty was a three-year standout in football for the Blue Hens under head coach Bill Murray and also earned three letterrs as a standout in baseball. He earned his degree from Delaware in 1948.

He was a standout for Delaware’s 1941 football team, leading the squad to a 7-0-1 record, before joining the Marines and fighting overseas in World War II. He enrolled back at Delaware and led the 1946 team to a 10-0 record and the Associated Press Small College national title and the 1947 squad to a mark of 4-4.

Doherty earned third team Associated Press All-American honors as a halfback during the 1946 season when he set a school record by rushing for 220 yards on just six carries vs. Gettysburg. His record for rushing yards in a game of 220 stood until the 1994 season but his single game rushing average of 36.7 yards per carry still stands.

As a fleet-footed outfielder and leadoff hitter in baseball, Doherty led the 1946 Blue Hen team to a 10-3-2 record and the Middle Atlantic Conference title. He set a school record with 25 stolen bases in 1947.