Hall of Fame induction: 2003

Robert was a truly outstanding runner at Delaware State. His long sprinting ability gave the Hornets many outstanding performances in the late 70’s while leading them to numerous titles. He was a two-time NAIA 600yd Champion, winning titles in 1976 and 1979. Robert anchored his mile relay to the Penn Relays college division championship in 1979. His sub 46 second speed made Delaware State the favorite in many relay competitions. He participated in the 1980 Olympic Trials.

Robert was a 1972 graduate of Bridgeton Senior High School, located in Bridgeton, NJ where he also lettered in Track and Field.

Hall of Fame induction: 2003

Wade went to the University of Delaware as a shot and discus thrower. He is still ranked by the University as second all-time in discus and in the top ten in the shot put, both indoors and outdoors.

However, he found a new event while competing at Delaware, the hammer and 35# indoor weight throw.

He became a three-time NCAA Championship qualifier, securing All-American honors in the hammer in 1993.

In the 1993 IC4A competitions, he placed second in the weight throw, second in the discus, and seventh in the hammer. He twice won the national 56# weight throw championships. Wade also won six conference championships and holds the school records in the weight throw, 67’ 9¾”, and the hammer, 207’8″, by significant amounts.

Hall of Fame induction: 2003

Bill, a Mt. Pleasant graduate, became the State’s premier 180yd Low Hurdler in 1960. That year he set the State Record of 19.9 seconds elevating the event to a new level. Bill’s :19.9, run on a cinder track, was an achievement only he attained until all-weather tracks had been in use for many years. Bill was undefeated in Dual Meets in 1960. That year he set meet or State Records in every major meet including the Conference (1959 and 1960), County, State and State Open meets.

Bill’s County Meet record stood for twelve years and his State Record held up for thirteen years. Bill’s State Record of :19.9 is fifth on the all-time list. Bill also ran sprints, helping his 880yd relay team set a State Record of 1:32.0.

William H. (Bill) Francisco was inducted into the Delaware Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2003. He has served as a Governor on the Board of Governors since 2007. Bill ran Track for Coach Bill Crowthers at Mt. Pleasant High School, for Coach Jim Kehoe at Maryland and Coach Jim Flynn at Delaware. A serious leg injury ended his competitive collegiate running career. In 1995, Bill started coaching older (over 40) runners to run long distances (5K through Marathons). Bill also coaches High School Track in Nevada. He is currently Co-Head Coach of the Desert Oasis High School Track and Field Team, Las Vegas, NV.

Hall of Fame induction: 2003

Kim was an exceptional hurdler for the Delaware Sports Club and University of Delaware in the 1970’s, competing in the 60 yard hurdles indoors and the 100 meter and 400 meter outdoors.

Kim was selected for and competed in the 1975 Pan American Games Trials and the 1976 Olympic Trials in the 100 meter hurdles. Kim also ran the 60 yard hurdles at the National AAU Indoor Championships in 1975 and 1978. At the AAU National Junior Championships, she was fifth in 1975 and sixth in 1976 at 100 meter hurdles. As a Blue Hen, Kim held the school record at 400 meter hurdles.

Hall of Fame induction: 2003

As a high school senior at Dover Air High School, Guy jumped into second place at the prestigious Penn Relays high school high jumping championship with a leap of 6’10¾” in 1976. He was the state champion in that event in both 1975 and 1976 and still is listed as the second best Delaware high school high jumper ever. His Penn Relay jump was, at that time, better than the state record. But, it was not ratified because an application for a new record was not submitted.

Guy competed for the University of Delaware for three years while also playing free safety on the UD Divisional II Championship football team. He placed third in the Penn Relays at 7’ 1¾” in 1978 and is still listed second on both the indoor and outdoor University all-time lists.