WILMINGTON, DE -- A pair of former University of Delaware standout athletes were honored Tuesday night as Vincent “Winnie” Mayer (at right) and David Whitcraft were inducted into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Chase Center.

Mayer, the oldest living Blue Hen letterwinner and a star in football and baseball during the 1930’s, and Whitcraft, an All-American goalkeeper for the UD soccer team in the 1980’s, were among nine people inducted for their outstanding careers and contributions to sports in the state of Delaware.

The 32nd annual induction class also included longtime Milford High School coach and athletic director Bernard “Barney” Briggs, former Clemson University and National Football League offensive lineman Jim Bundren, long-time semi-pro baseball standout Bob Immediato, Wesley golf coach Rick McCall, former West Virginia University and NFL tight end Lovett Purnell, former University of Maryland and Baltimore Colts kicker and local high school coach Vinnie Scott, and two-time Stanford University All-American and four-time All-State women’s basketball player Val Whiting.

The induction of Mayer and Whitcraft brings to 49 the number of athletes, coaches, and administrators with ties to UD who have been honored by the state hall of fame.

Mayer was a 1997 inductee into the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame and at age 96, is the oldest living letterwinner of a University of Delaware athletic team. In October, 2001, the University awarded Mayer its Medal of Distinction, the highest honor that it bestows on citizens of the state and region for significant service to the University and contributions to society. He was recognized as an outstanding athlete and strong proponent of Blue Hen sports.

Mayer attended Delaware from 1929 through 1933 and was a three-time letterman in football and led the Blue Hens to the Class B Eastern title in 1931. He was named to the UD all-time football team when the University celebrated its football centennial in 1989. Mayer was a standout two-way performer at end and was known in his playing days as “Sheet Iron” because of his toughness.

He also played varsity baseball at Delaware, and was captain of the team in 1933. Mayer helped to organize the Newark Touchdown Club and served as its first president. He also has sponsored a number of trophies awarded to University of Delaware and Newark High School athletes.

Whitcraft, a 2002 inductee into the UD Athletics Hall of Fame, was a four-year starter for the University of Delaware soccer team at goalkeeper and set school records for most career shutouts (20), most career minutes played, most single game saves (17), most season saves (162), and most career saves (441). He allowed just 68 goals in 57 career games (1.19 avg.) and earned three All-Region and three All-East Coast Conference All-Star selections (1982-1984).

He was voted the East Coast Conference (ECC) West Player of the Year in 1983, was a two-time third team All-American in NCAA Division I (1983, 1984), the first UD player to play in the Senior Soccer Bowl (1984), and was named University of Delaware Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year in1984-1985.

In 1987 he became a physical education teacher and the head soccer coach at Avon Grove (PA) High School. After a nine-year absence from his playing days at Delaware, Whitcraft captained the Delaware Wizards in their first professional season, starting 17 games and posting four shutouts. He led the Wizards to the playoffs in 1993 and 1994 and served as assistant coach for the team from 1995-1996.