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grolfe
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Posted: Fri Jul 3rd, 2009 03:59 pm |
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By Glenn Rolfe
Leader & State Register
SEAFORD – Famous names with Sussex County connections and Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame induction are now showcased at Seaford Historical Society’s Seaford Museum.
Hot dogs, beer and popcorn provided a savory, sports concession stand setting as dozen or more inductees and/or family representatives attended Friday’s landmark grand opening of the display.
The Sussex County exhibit that will be on exhibit in the Seaford Museum’s Webb Room throughout the summer marks the first time Hall of Fame archives have officially left their permanent 5,000 square foot museum home that opened in June 2002 at Daniel Frawley Stadium in New Castle County.
“This is the first time any artifacts … memorabilia have been officially set up by the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame outside of Wilmington,” said Ben Sirman, vice-president of the DSMHOF board of governors. “And Seaford is the lucky one.”
Photographs, biographical information, equipment and other artifacts of 30 inductees – two more enshrines with Sussex ties were added to the original 28 – are on exhibit in locked showcase niches.
“Awesome” was the word heard several times from viewers at the June 26 event.
Among the inductees on hand for the opening:
- Seaford’s Mike Neill, the home run hero in Team USA’s gold medal showing in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics;
- Laurel High School/college field hockey and lacrosse standout Julie Dayton, who made the trip from Richmond, Va.;
- Milford’s Forrest “Spook” Jacobs, a pro baseball standout with the Philadelphia A’s in the 1950s who honed his skills several winters in Cuba and was recently inducted into the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame;
- Wrestling coach legend Herm Bastanelli, whose Georgetown High School mat squads logged 150 wins during his tenure, including a 56-match winning streak;
- Laurel sports legend Ron Waller, who went on to stardom in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams;
- Ron Dickerson (Laurel/Seaford), downstate Delaware’s winningest football in Kent and Sussex counties.
Of the Delaware Sports Museum Hall of Fame 274 inductees, 28 are from Sussex County natives – Mr. Waller being the first inductee, in 1977.
Dallas Marvil, represented by family at the opening, was the second, inducted in 1978. A Laurel athletic product, he was a football All-American at Northwestern and in 1931 was named “the best tackle in America,” said Mr. Sirman.
More artifacts and possibly more inductees may be added to this display, said Mr. Sirman, who noted the efforts of Jim Bowden of Seaford/Georgetown and others for making this display a reality.
“It’s been a work in progress,” Mr. Sirman said. “We finished off some touches that we think really set it off and we’re very proud of it. We made add things as we go through the summer. It is a fine looking exhibit.”
Museum hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Museum admission is $3 for non Seaford Historical Society members, with no charge for SHS members.
News Editor Glenn Rolfe can be reached at 629-5505 or grolfe@newszap.com.
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