New inductees represent 10 sports, 6 decades
SPORTS | Athletes from 10 different sports, five All-Americans, five conference champions, the first three-sport captain in school history and a nationally recognized athletic trainer highlight the newest induction class of the UD Athletics Hall of Fame.
The 18th induction class was honored in a private ceremony and reception for family and friends Nov. 21 and was introduced on the field at halftime of the Delaware vs. Villanova football game the next day.
The Class of 2014 features representatives from every decade since the 1950s and the sports of football, men’s basketball, baseball, men’s cross country, men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, women’s basketball, women’s lacrosse, women’s swimming and diving, and softball.
“The contributions that this group has made to the legacy of Blue Hens athletics are truly remarkable,” says Eric Ziady, director of athletics and recreation services.
In addition to Keith Handling (see story), here are the new inductees:
Bill Armstrong, one of the top running backs in UD football history, played for three seasons in 1969-71 as part of the vaunted Wing-T offense.
Taurence Chisholm, perhaps the finest true point guard in the history of men’s basketball at UD, was a four-year starter in 1984-88 and set 12 school records, including several that still stand.
Karen Conlin was one of the top student-athletes in the early days of the women’s basketball program in 1974-78, directing the offense from her point guard spot and leading the team to four winning seasons.
Jamin Elliott, one of the most outstanding two-sport athletes in UD history, was a two-time all-conference wide receiver in football and a champion triple jumper in track and field during 1998-2002.
Clyde Louth, the only UD student-athlete to serve as team captain for three sports, earned nine varsity letters as a standout in basketball, cross country and track and field during 1953-57.
Herb Orensky was a two-sport standout—a power-hitting catcher in baseball and a hard-hitting safety in football—for the Blue Hens in 1975-79, playing on six winning teams.
Sarah Peffer (now Bozeman), in just two seasons at UD after transferring from Nebraska, dominated the action in the pool as a member of the swimming and diving teams in 2002-04.
Joe Purzycki, a top defensive back, earned All-American honors in 1967-69 while leading the Hens to consecutive conference titles. He was a defensive backfield coach when the team won the 1979 national title.
Jennifer Rinnander (now DiValerio) was one of the most prolific scorers in the history of Delaware women’s lacrosse, leading the Hens in scoring four straight years, from 1991-94.
