Wayback Machine: 1989 Delaware Recruiting Video

[93henfan]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A1Vhnv_4g0[/youtube]

[93henfan]

Watching that video is pretty bittersweet for us Hens fans. Our admininstration really took a good thing and drove it into the ground.

[ASUG8]

Seems like it would have been more effective if they finished with the pee wall.

[SunCoastBlueHen]

Ah, the good old days.

Long gone, unfortunately, and likely never to return.

[GannonFan]

Ah, the good old days.

Long gone, unfortunately, and likely never to return.

Funny thing, though, the 80's, especially the late 80's, were not a great era for the Blue Hens. Just like the rest of the Yankee Conference, Delaware was not really competitive nationally in I-AA at that point - UD hadn't let freshmen play varsity football until '87 or so, and only lucking out getting Gannon kept UD from really hitting the skids. Heck, UD won the Yankee Conference in 1988 after losing to West Chester that year.

On the bright side, '89 would mark the first start for freshman QB Bill Vergantino and start a very successful decade in the '90s for the Hens.

[93henfan]

Ah, the good old days.

Long gone, unfortunately, and likely never to return.

Funny thing, though, the 80's, especially the late 80's, were not a great era for the Blue Hens. Just like the rest of the Yankee Conference, Delaware was not really competitive nationally in I-AA at that point - UD hadn't let freshmen play varsity football until '87 or so, and only lucking out getting Gannon kept UD from really hitting the skids. Heck, UD won the Yankee Conference in 1988 after losing to West Chester that year.

On the bright side, '89 would mark the first start for freshman QB Bill Vergantino and start a very successful decade in the '90s for the Hens.

UD played for a I-AA championship 6-7 years before this video was made and also lost respectably in the 88 playoffs to champion Furman. You also use West Chester differently depending on your particular argument (in this case that they were weak, while other times that they were very strong and every bit as good as a I-AA). So what was West Chester then, good or bad Mr. Gannonfan?

Otherwise agreed. Not enough playoff appearances between losing the 82 chipper and then losing again to the Marshall machine during my years at UD with Billy V at QB.

[89Hen]

Look how funny the stadium looks without all the improvements that have been made over the years. I mean, no handrails?? Looks ancient.

[Grizalltheway]

Look how funny the stadium looks without all the improvements that have been made over the years. I mean, no handrails?? Looks ancient.

Wa-Griz just got handrails this past season, I believe.

[89Hen]

Look how funny the stadium looks without all the improvements that have been made over the years. I mean, no handrails?? Looks ancient.

Wa-Griz just got handrails this past season, I believe.

But I'm guessing that wasn't your only "improvement" in 40 years.

[Grizalltheway]

True. I still wish we had a pee wall, though.

[andy7171]

Any of you guys know Matt Morell?

[bluehenbillk]

I didn't know him personally but yes I remember him.

[andy7171]

I didn't know him personally but yes I remember him.

He was a mul;ti year all-american right? Our right tackle got food poisoning Friday night before our game in '92. I was moved over from right guard. And then in '93 he was moved over from DE to DT/NG when I was playing center.

[bluehenbillk]

I didn't know him personally but yes I remember him.

He was a mul;ti year all-american right? Our right tackle got food poisoning Friday night before our game in '92. I was moved over from right guard. And then in '93 he was moved over from DE to DT/NG when I was playing center.

He's UD's all-tme sack leader, and yes I think you're right he was probably named to some All-American teams.

He was one of our better DL's. The best I ever saw at UD hands down was Shawn Johnson who was a transfer for the 2003 NC season - man against boys out there.

[andy7171]

He was a mul;ti year all-american right? Our right tackle got food poisoning Friday night before our game in '92. I was moved over from right guard. And then in '93 he was moved over from DE to DT/NG when I was playing center.

He's UD's all-tme sack leader, and yes I think you're right he was probably named to some All-American teams.

He was one of our better DL's. The best I ever saw at UD hands down was Shawn Johnson who was a transfer for the 2003 NC season - man against boys out there.

Yeah. I want to say 3 time All-American. Another member of the illustrious Class on 1989.


...also, 0 sacks vs Towson State.

[YoUDeeMan]

A few things about that video:

1) Why, in 1989, does it list only 4 National Championships for the Hens?

Up until then, the Hens won national titles in 1946 (AP College Division), 1963 (UPI College Division), 1971 (AP/UPI College Division), 1972 (AP/UPI College Division), 1979 (Division II).

2) The Yankee Conference, in 1989, was, "by any measure," "the premier conference in IAA."

3) Bring back the old UD mascot.

4) "Like the band’s just…play…they’re not even playing a song I don’t’ think, they just sort of make noise." Was Heidi directing the band back then, too?

5) I used to sell those Blue Hen Country rugs. There is a tailgater in front of the Field House that still displays one each home game.

6) It was a little odd that Tubby took a swipe at the bigger schools and their access to, "everything."

7) I miss the packed stadium...and don't expect those stands to be full again anytime soon.

[Ivytalk]

Is Tubby still alive?

[andy7171]

Is Tubby still alive?

I think he is. He was going senile in 1993 though.

[putter]

Like how the head of the Academic Area for Athletes said it does not matter how many bowl game UD wins or playoffs they make. Way to be tuned into your schools programs....

[89Hen]

Like how the head of the Academic Area for Athletes said it does not matter how many bowl game UD wins or playoffs they make. Way to be tuned into your schools programs....

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeCKOvncbt8[/youtube]

[89Hen]

Not much has changed... except the Chrysler plant isn't there any more.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDetBTcyxyE[/youtube]

[UD77]

Is Tubby still alive?

Yes he is. He spoke at the signing day event that they have for the Season Ticket holders each year. He is slowing down some. I think he is close to 90 now.

[bluehenbillk]

Thanks for that old UConn video - I've never seen that one.

[Grizalltheway]

Like how the head of the Academic Area for Athletes said it does not matter how many bowl game UD wins or playoffs they make. Way to be tuned into your schools programs....

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeCKOvncbt8[/youtube]

Looks like he's living in the past as much as the fans are.