Famous Delconians

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Mickey Vernon (Marcus Hook)
Professional Baseball Player
James “Mickey” Vernon was born in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, and attended Villanova University, before making his major league debut on July 8, 1939. He was the father of Gay Vernon.

Vernon (April 22, 1918 – September 24, 2008) was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Washington Senators (1939–1948, 1950–1955) for the majority of his career, as well as four other teams: the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite missing two seasons to military service during World War II, he retired with 2,495 hits, and holds the major league record for career double plays at first base (2,044), as well as American League records for career games (2,227), putouts (19,754), assists (1,444) andtotal chances (21,408). He batted and threw left-handed.

During World War II, he served in the United States Navy and served with major league players, Larry Doby and Billy Goodman on Ulithi in the South Pacific in 1945; both Goodman and Vernon personally inspired Doby to become a major league baseball player.

In August 2008, he was named as one of the ten former players who began their careers before 1943 to be considered by the Veterans Committee for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

He became one of the few first basemen to finish his career with a .990 fielding percentage, and participated in more double plays than any other.

The Mickey Vernon Sports Museum at the Granite Run Mall in Media, Pennsylvania, honors Vernon’s career, military service, and friendship with Murtaugh, among other artifacts.

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Jim Croce
Jim Croce (Upper Darby)

Singer,Songwriter
Jim Croce, singer-songwriter, was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 10, 1943, to James Albert and Flora Mary (Babucci) Croce.  Croce took a strong interest in music at a young age. At five, he learned to play his first song on the accordion, “Lady of Spain.” Croce attended Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. After graduating in 1960, he studied at Malvern Preparatory School for a year before enrolling at Villanova University, where he majored in psychology and minored in German. He graduated with a Bachelor degree in 1965. Croce was a member of the Villanova Singers and the Villanova Spires. When the Spires performed off-campus or made recordings, they were known as The Coventry Lads. Croce was also a student disc jockey at WKVU (which has since become WXVU). Croce released five studio albums and 11 singles. His singles “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and “Time in a Bottle” were both number one hits on theBillboard Hot 100 charts.

The singer had wrapped up the recording sessions and was nearing the end of his tour when tragedy struck on Sept. 20, 1973. Following a gig at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., Croce boarded a small chartered plane to travel to his next show in Sherman, Texas. Sadly, the plane never made it much past the runway. In what was later described as solely a pilot error, the Beechcraft E18S failed to clear a pecan tree while taking off and crashed. All six people aboard were killed, including Croce, his guitarist Maury Muehleisen, comedian George Stevens, manager/booking agent Kenneth D. Cortose, road manager Dennis Rast and pilot Robert N. Elliott.

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John Clark NBC10/Comcast Sports

John Clark (Wallingford)

NBC10/Comcast Sportsnet

John Clark has earned several Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations for his reports. In 2004 he won an Emmy for ‘Outstanding Individual Achievement for Sports Reporting.’ John Clark joined NBC10 in 2001 as a Weekend Sports Anchor. Previous stops in his career have included West Palm Beach, Fla. and Atlantic City, N.J.

Clark has covered some of the biggest stories in Philadelphia sports history, including the Eagles appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX and the 2006 NFL Hall of Fame Game, the Phillies 2008 World Series Championship and parade, the Flyers trip to the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals and the NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park.

Growing up in Wallingford, Pa., Clark used to imitate legendary Phillies announcer Harry Kalas. He graduated from Strath Haven High School and attended Temple University. Prior to graduation, Clark interned for WB 17, Fox 29 and Temple’s Channel 54 before starting his broadcasting career. He is an active volunteer for the Special Olympics and has become more passionate about the events since his brother began competing in them.

Clark resides in Montgomery County. (come back John)

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FRAN BRILL PIC

Fran Brill (Chester)

Sesame Street

Frances Joan “Fran” Brill (born September 30, 1946) is an American actress and puppeteer, best known for her roles on Sesame Street and playing Lily Marvin in the Frank Oz film, What About Bob?.

Brill was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Linette and Joseph M. Brill. Her father was a physician.  She is a graduate of Boston University Fine Arts School.

She began her career in theater, making her Broadway debut in the 1969 play Red, White and Maddox.  She has been nominated twice for a Drama Desk Award, for What Every Woman Knows (1976) and for Knuckle (1981), respectively.

From 1974-1975, Brill played Fran Bachman on NBC’s daytime drama How to Survive a Marriage.  Brill was also featured in episodes of The Guiding Light, All My Children, The Edge of Night, Hyde in Hollywood, Lip Service and Kate and Allie. She has also guest-starred on nighttime dramas such as Third Watch, Against the Law, Law & Order, and Law & Order: SVU.

On Sesame Street, for which she has won an Emmy Award, she has created and puppeteered the Muppets called Zoe, Little Bird, and Prairie Dawn, among others. Playing Zoe, Brill appeared on the TV-series The West Wing as well as many home videos including Zoe’s Dance Moves. With the Muppets she also did Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, The Jim Henson Hour, Dog City, and The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.

She has also been seen and heard in hundreds of commercials and appeared in such films as What About Bob?, Midnight Run, City Hall and Being There.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran_Brill

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heather-donahue pic

Heather Donahue (Upper Darby)

actress, writer

Donahue was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on December 22, 1974, the daughter of Joan (an office manager) and James Donahue (a printer).

Donahue came to public attention after appearing as the lead character in Haxan Films’ 1999 horror film The Blair Witch Project. She then appeared in an array of independent films, as well as guest appearances on several television shows, most notably for her starring role in the science fiction miniseries Taken and a guest appearance on the sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. In 2001, she hosted the 1999 edition of BBC2’s I Love the ’90s.

In 2011, Donahue signed a publishing deal for her debut book GROWGIRL, about her time as a medical marijuana grower, which was released on January 5, 2012 by Gotham Books, an imprint of Penguin Group, USA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Donahue

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tina-fey

Tina Fey (Upper Darby)

Actress, comedian, writer, TV Producer

Elizabeth Stamatina “Tina” Fey (born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer, known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live (SNL, 1997–2006), the critically acclaimed NBC comedy series 30 Rock (2006–2013), and such films as Mean Girls (2004), Baby Mama (2008), Date Night (2010), and Admission (2013).

Fey was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania – a township just west of Philadelphia. Her mother, Zenobia “Jeanne” (née Xenakes), is a brokerage employee of Greek descent,[8] and her father, Donald Fey, is a university grant-proposal writer of half German and half Scottish descent.  She has a brother, Peter, who is eight years older.

Fey was exposed to comedy early and has recalled:

I remember my parents sneaking me in to see Young Frankenstein. We would also watch Saturday Night Live, or Monty Python, or old Marx Brothers movies. My dad would let us stay up late to watch The Honeymooners. We were not allowed to watch The Flintstones though: my dad hated it because it ripped off The Honeymooners. I actually have a very low level of Flintstones knowledge for someone my age.

Fey also grew up watching Second City Television (SCTV), and has cited Catherine O’Hara as a role model.

Fey attended Cardington-Stonehurst Elementary School and Beverly Hills Middle School in Upper Darby. By middle school, she knew she was interested in comedy, doing an independent-study project on the subject in eighth gradeFey attended Upper Darby High School, where she was an honor student, a member of the choir, drama club, and tennis team, and co-editor of the school’s newspaper, The Acorn. She also anonymously wrote the newspaper’s satirical column, The Colonel.Following her graduation in 1988,Fey enrolled at the University of Virginia, where she studied playwriting and acting.She graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama.

Fey first broke into comedy as a featured player in the Chicago-based improvisational comedy group The Second City. She then joined SNL as a writer, later becoming head writer and a performer, known for her position as co-anchor in the Weekend Update segment. In 2004 she adapted the screenplay Mean Girls in which she also co-starred. After leaving SNL in 2006, she created the television series 30 Rock, a situation comedy loosely based on her experiences at SNL. In the series, Fey portrays the head writer of a fictional sketch comedy series. In 2008, she starred in the comedy film Baby Mama, alongside former SNL co-star Amy Poehler. Fey next appeared alongside Steve Carell in the 2010 comedy film Date Night and with Will Ferrell in the animated film Megamind.

Fey has received eight Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Writers Guild of America Awards and has been nominated for a Grammy Award for her autobiographical book Bossypants, which topped the The New York Times Best Seller list for five weeks. In 2008, the Associated Press (AP) gave Fey the AP Entertainer of the Year award for her satirical portrayal of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in a guest appearance on SNL. In 2010, Fey was the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the youngest-ever winner of the award. On January 13, 2013, Fey hosted the Golden Globe Awards, along with her long-time friend and fellow comedian, Amy Poehler. Their performance was critically acclaimed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tina_Fey

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Jamie Kennedy

Jamie Kennedy (Upper Darby)

Comedian, actor

The youngest of six children, Kennedy was born in Upper Darby Township, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kennedy was raised Roman Catholic.He attended and graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in 1988. After high school, Kennedy began his career as a Hollywood extra. Meanwhile, he worked on voice impersonations.

When Kennedy first arrived in Los Angeles, he became a professional Hollywood extra. His first night in L.A., he was reading a Joan Rivers autobiography in a diner when the waiter explained to him that he has been in a dozen movies as an extra. Kennedy asked “If you’ve been in so many movies, why are you a waiter?” the waiter responded “I have to keep my day job.” Kennedy then decided that he did not want to be an extra, he was going to become a star. After a few years of struggling, Kennedy was unable to find an agent and had to work as a host at Red Lobster. He auditioned for over 80 commercials and could not book one. He then took a job as a telemarketer and learned that he was really good at selling things. Kennedy then thought that if he could sell anything, “why not sell myself?” becoming his own agent.

Kennedy created a false persona, screen agent “Marty Power,” to attract the attention of real agents and managers over the phone, who would later book his performances. He came to prominence in the late 1990s for playing Randy Meeks in the Scream film series. His lead role as Tim Avery in Son of the Mask earned him a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actor.

Kennedy formed a production company called Wannabe Producers, alongside Josh Etting, through which he has produced the shows The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, Blowin’ Up, The Starlet, and Living with Fran. Following Malibu’s Most Wanted, which he both wrote and starred in, Kennedy co-wrote the MTV show Blowin’ Up (2006) featuring his friend Stu Stone.

Kennedy lent his voice to the videogame ESPN NFL 2K5 as a celebrity adversary with his own football team, the Upper Darby Cheesesteaks. He is also unlockable as a Free Agent tight end in season mode. His stint as Activision’s emcee at E3 2007, however, drew much criticism not only for failing to understand anything about the industry, but for also performing drunk as he insulted the audience.

While working on his film Malibu’s Most Wanted, Kennedy wrote an autobiography entitled, Wannabe: A Hollywood Experiment. The book chronicles his life in Hollywood as he attempts to become a star. It gives background on his life and family, and quickly dives into his adventures. It tells of such things as Kennedy’s living conditions in the Hollywood slums, his beat up car, his kidney issues, and funky characters throughout the story.

As a performer of stand-up comedy, he is best known for his sketch performances on his television reality show, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment, which became the WB Network’s highest ranking new show in 2002, but which was cancelled in April 2004 due to falling viewership. In 2006, Jizzy Entertainment released Unwashed: The Stand-Up Special. In 2008, Kennedy released the documentary Heckler, about the plight of stand-up comics versus their often-aggressive audience. In 2007 he appeared in Criminal Minds as a cannibal satanist serial killer.

Since 2008, Kennedy has played psychology professor Eli James in the CBS drama Ghost Whisperer. Since 2009, he has been in the TV series, The Cleveland Show, playing Roberta Tubbs’ boyfriend.

He also stars in the Nicktoon Fanboy and Chum Chum as Kyle, an insecure boy wizard who loathes the fun-loving Fanboy and Chum Chum, but who secretly yearns for their friendship. In April 2010, sources reported that Kennedy would very likely return to the Scream franchise to star in the fourth installment;however, according to Scream screenwriter Kevin Williamson there were never plans for him to rejoin the franchise, attributing the misinformation to a fabrication by Kennedy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Kennedy

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larry mendte pic

Larry Mendte (Landsdowne)

Journalist

Larry Mendte (born January 16, 1957) is an American commentator and American news anchor. Born and raised in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, he attended St. Philomena Catholic School elementary school. During this time he began delivering the Philadelphia Bulletin. Mendte graduated from Monsignor Bonner High School in nearby Drexel Hill. In 2003, Mendte was inducted into the high school’s Hall of Fame. He earned a B.A. in Communications from West Chester University and was named a distinguished alumnus. After giving a commencement address in 2006, Mendte was awarded to President’s Medal for Service in recognition of his community work. Mendte is now earning his Master’s degree in Interactive Media at Quinnipiac University.

Mendte also hosts his own talk show from 8:30 to 10 am on WWIQ IQ 106.9 FM in Philadelphia. Mendte was the first male host of the American syndicated television show Access Hollywood. His nightly commentaries are aired on TV stations across the country. From 2003 to mid-2008, he was the lead anchor of the 6 pm and 11 pm newscasts for KYW-TV (Channel 3), the CBS O&O in Philadelphia. After nearly two decades in last place, Mendte led the station to compete with first place WPVI-TV (Channel 6).KYW lured Mendte away from WCAU-TV (Channel 10), where he had anchored the 4, 6 and 11 pm newscasts and led the station to win the news ratings for the first time in 30 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Mendte

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cheri oteri

Cheri Oteri (Upper Darby)

Actress

Cheri Oteri (born Cheryl Ann Oteri; September 19, 1962) is an American comic actress, best known for her roles as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2000.

Oteri was born Cheryl Ann Oteri in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Gaetano Thomas Oteri, who founded and was the CEO of a music publishing company, “Of Music”. She has Italian ancestry. She grew up with three siblings, Denise, Brian and Tommy Jr. in Upper Darby and attended Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

After moving to Los Angeles at age 28, Oteri worked at A&M Records for four years and eventually joined a comedy troupe called The Groundlings. In 1995, the producers of Saturday Night Live attended a performance with the intention of auditioning fellow Groundlings member Chris Kattan. Oteri performed a monologue during one of Kattan’s costume changes, which led to Oteri herself being invited to audition for SNL along with Kattan and fellow Groundling Will Ferrell. She was hired as a repertory performer in September 1995 as part of an almost entirely new cast, which was brought in after the show’s disastrous 1994-1995 season. Kattan would not join the cast of SNL until midway through the season.

She has also appeared in several Hollywood movies, including Scary Movie, Inspector Gadget, Liar Liar, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Shrek the Third and Southland Tales. She starred in two TV pilots that did not make it to air, Loomis and With You in Spirit.

She recently starred in the AMC web series Liza Life Coach in 2010. Oteri appeared in the pilot episode of Glory Daze, which premiered on TBS on November 16, 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheri_Oteri

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alice nelson painting

Alice Nelson (Colwyn)

Painter 1900-1984

Alice Neel (January 28, 1900 – October 13, 1984) was an American artist known for her oil on canvas portraits of friends, family, lovers, poets, artists and strangers.

Alice Neel was born in Merion Square, Pennsylvania, and moved to the rural town of Colwyn, Pennsylvania, when she was about three months old. She took the Civil Service exam and got a high-paying clerical position after high school in order to help support her parents. After three years of work, taking art classes by night in Philadelphia, Neel finally enrolled full-time in the Philadelphia School of Design for Women. Neel often said that she chose to attend an all-girls school so as not to be distracted from her art by the temptations of the opposite sex. Her paintings are notable for their expressionistic use of line and color, psychological acumen, and emotional intensity. Neel was called “one of the greatest American painters of the 20th century” by Barry Walker, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts of Houston, which organized a retrospective of her work in 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Neel

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theodore-freeman

Theodore Freeman (Haverford)

Astronaut (died during training)

Theodore Cordy Freeman (February 18, 1930 – October 31, 1964) was a NASA astronaut and a captain in the United States Air Force. He was killed in the crash of a T-38 jet, marking the first fatality among the American astronaut corps.

Freeman was born in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and completed his secondary education in 1948. He attended the University of Delaware at Newark for one year, then entered the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1960, he received a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan. Freeman was also a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.

Freeman graduated from both the Air Force’s Experimental Test Pilot and Aerospace Research Pilot Courses. He elected to serve with the Air Force. His last Air Force assignment was as a flight test aeronautical engineer and experimental flight test instructor at the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert.

He served primarily in performance flight testing and stability testing areas. He logged more than 3,300 hours flying time, including more than 2,400 hours in jet aircraft. Freeman was one of the third group of astronauts selected by NASA in October 1963. He was assigned the responsibility of aiding the development of boosters.

On the morning of Saturday, October 31, 1964, Theodore Freeman was making a return flight from McDonnell-Douglas training facilities in St. Louis, MO. He was killed during final approach to landing at Ellington Air Force Base, Houston, Texas, when a goose flew into the port-side air intake of his NASA-modified T-38 Talon jet trainer causing immediate engine failure. The bird strike was plainly observed by two airmen on duty in the Ellington AFB Air Traffic Control Tower Cab. Flying shards of Plexiglas may have entered the jet engine during the crash. Within seconds of the goose strike, the plane pancaked short of the base perimeter fence onto a public highway and caused the plane to immediately and violently lose structural integrity. The two observers did not witness any evidence of Freeman ejecting from the stricken aircraft, but it was too close to the ground for a parachute to open properly in any event.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodore_Freeman

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taylor buchholz

Taylor Buchholz (Lower Merion Twp)

Retired MLB pitcher 

Taylor Buchholz (born October 13, 1981) is a retired American professional baseball pitcher.

Buchholz started out as a minor leaguer for the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2003, he was dealt with Ezequiel Astacio and Brandon Duckworth to the Astros for all-star closer Billy Wagner. Originally forgotten by many fans due to Astacio and Duckworth both quickly being brought up to the majors, Buchholz proceeded to impress scouts in the minors, showing promise for the future. After going 6-0 with a 4.81 ERA in 20 games for the Astros Triple A Affiliate Round Rock Express in 2005, Buchholz was called up to the Astros main roster in the 2006 season.

His first success came in his second major league appearance in what was almost a complete-game one-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first hit came when second baseman Eric Bruntlett double-clutched the ball before throwing, allowing runner Chris Duffy to reach first base safely. After Jack Wilson singled, Astros manager Phil Garner pulled Buchholz and brought in closer Brad Lidge, who struck out Jason Bay to end the game. Buchholz ended up going 82⁄3 innings and giving up only two hits.

According to SI.com, Buchholz was included as part of a proposed December 7, 2006 trade with the Chicago White Sox to bring Jon Garland to the Astros. The trade, however, fell through when Buchholz failed his physical.Buchholz denies this, telling the Houston Chronicle that he has not had a physical since prior to the 2006 season.These rumors were cast off by White Sox general manager Ken Williams.

In the 2007 season, Buchholz was utilized by the Rockies as a starter. This was not the right fit for Buchholz as he was sent to the bullpen to be the Rockies long relief pitcher. In 2008, Buchholz took up the role as a set-up man for Rockies closer, Brian Fuentes. He had been stellar in that role, utilizing pinpoint control, and a nasty curve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Buchholz

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leroy burrell

Leroy Burrell (Lansdowne)

Olympic Runner

Leroy Russel Burrell (born February 21, 1967) is a former American retired athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he beat his own record. Burrell set the record for a second time when he ran 9.85 s in 1994, a record that stood until the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, when Donovan Bailey ran 9.84 s.

Burrell grew up in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn Wood High School where he single-handedly won the state championship by winning the 100 m, 200 m, long jump, and triple jump. Suffering from poor eyesight accentuated by a childhood eye injury, he was poor at other sports but excelled on the track from an early age.

He married Michelle Finn, also a sprinter, in 1994, and they have three sons: Cameron—who is currently one of the fastest sprinters in his age group worldwide[1]— Joshua and Jaden. His younger sister Dawn also competed in track and field at the highest level.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leroy_Burrell

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john-cappelletti_heisman

John Cappelletti (Upper Darby)

NFL Player/Heisman Trophy Winner

John Cappelletti (born August 9, 1952) is a former professional American football running back for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers.

Prior to his professional career, he attended the Pennsylvania State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1973. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno, said that Cappelletti was “the best football player I ever coached”.

Cappelletti attended Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. As a senior tailback at Penn State, he gained 1,522 yards on 286 carries scoring 17 touchdowns as the Nittany Lions rolled to an undefeated season. He was awarded the 1973 Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, the UPI College Football Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award, the Chic Harley Award, as well as receiving All-America honors. In his two-year running-back career, he gained over 100 yards in thirteen games and had a career total of 2,639 yards and twenty-nine touchdowns for an average of 120 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Cappelletti’s Heisman acceptance speech, where he dedicated his award to his dying brother, Joey, is one of the most memorable in the history of college sports.

The relationship between Cappelletti and his younger brother, Joey, who died of childhood leukemia on April 8, 1976, was made into a television movie in 1977 called Something for Joey; Cappelletti was played by Marc Singer. The movie was based on the book of the same name written by Richard E. Peck and chronicled the bond between the two brothers as Cappelletti supported his young brother through his battle against cancer.

During Cappelletti’s senior season, Penn State was scheduled to play the West Virginia Mountaineers in a late October afternoon match. The morning of the game, Cappelletti asked Joey what he wanted for his upcoming 11th birthday. Joey replied “I want you to score three touchdowns for me. No, four.” In Something for Joey a shocked Cappelletti is seen confiding to a teammate: “How am I going to score four touchdowns?” At the end of the 1st half, Cappelletti had scored 3 touchdowns, well on his way to four. But head coach Joe Paterno did not like to run up the score against opponents, so when the game resumed after halftime, Paterno told Cappelletti he would be on the bench. Cappelletti quietly took his seat on the bench, without telling Paterno of Joey’s wish. Late in the 3rd quarter, one of Cappelletti’s teammates told Paterno of Joey’s wish. On Penn State’s next possession, Paterno shouted “22”, and Cappelletti took the field. Cappelletti scored his 4th touchdown on the same possession, and pointed to Joey as he ran off the field.

Cappelletti went on to play professional football from 1974 through 1983 for the Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He also was a member of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

As the undefeated 1973 team was honored at halftime in the 2013-2014 Penn State football season home opener against Eastern Michigan University on September 7th, 2013, Heisman Trophy-winning running back John Cappelletti received special recognition — his No. 22 jersey will be retired by Penn State Football. It’s the first number to be retired by any Penn State sport.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cappelletti

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Dan_Connor_in_2010

Dan Connor (Wallingford)

NFL Player

Daniel Murphy Connor (born November 2, 1985) is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Penn State University, and was a two-time All-American. The Carolina Panthers drafted him in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Connor was born in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. He played high school football at Strath Haven High School in Wallingford and was rated the number one linebacker in the country. He was also named to the USA Today Top 25 Supreme Team. He played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Connor rushed for over 1,500 yards his junior season and scored 29 touchdowns. On defense, he had more than 160 tackles to go along with 3 interceptions. As a senior he rushed the ball 231 times for 1,807 yards and 28 touchdowns. Defensively, Connor recorded 141 tackles, 11 sacks and three interceptions. For his career, Connor was 56-3 and started in 59 straight games. He finished with 591 carries for 4,531 yards and 77 rushing touchdowns. On defense, Connor amassed 461 tackles, 38 sacks and 19 interceptions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Connor_%28American_football%29

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tyreke

Tyreke Evans (Chester)

NBA Player

Tyreke Jamir Evans (born September 19, 1989) is an American professional basketball guard with the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball at the University of Memphis, and was selected by the Sacramento Kings as the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.[1] He is known for his quickness, ballhandling and finishing ability.

In April 2008, Evans announced that he would attend the University of Memphis, after also considering Villanova University and the University of Texas.[6]

Evans transitioned from playing small forward in high school to guard in college. He struggled at times at the beginning of his freshman season at the shooting guard position. This continued until coach John Calipari inserted him as the starting point guard in the 11th game of the season, a 60–45 win over the University of Cincinnati. In 33 minutes, Evans nearly put up a triple-double, with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists.[7] The Tigers would not lose another game until falling to the Missouri Tigers in the NCAA Tournament.

Evans was named the Conference USA Rookie of the Week eight times.[8]

Evans was the only freshman finalist for the 2009 United States Basketball Writers Association’s national player of the year award, named in honor of Oscar Robertson.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyreke_Evans

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randy-grossman pic

Randy Grossman (Haverford)

Former NFL player

Curt Randy Grossman (born September 20, 1952) is a former professional American football player who played tight end for eight seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League.

Grossman was an All State performer at Haverford High School, in suburban Philadelphia, where from a young age he would reply to the question, “What will you do when you grow up?” with the certain retort: “I’m going to be a professional football player.” He was a varsity letterman in both football and wrestling at Haverford Senior High School. His father was a butcher.

Grossman was an outstanding tight end (and three-year starter) for the Temple Owls in the early 1970s. In 1972, he caught 23 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns and Temple had a record of 5–4–0. The following year, Grossman was named Associated Press All-America third team and Temple notched a record of 9–1–0. That year, Grossman led the team in receptions with 39 for 683 yards and 4 touchdowns;Temple outscored its opponents 353-167. Grossman finished his career at Temple with 89 receptions for 1505 yards and 10 touchdowns. Grossman was also a member of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity’s Pa Alpha Delta Chapter.

Steelers President Dan Rooney said of Grossman: “Randy Grossman was one of those guys who was never viewed as one of the superstars, but he did everything you asked him. He caught the big touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. He was one of those guys who got you the first down when he would go in and play. He was just a real good competitor who really proved his value. He was just a good team man.”[7]

Steelers Director of Personnel Art Rooney, Jr., said that Grossman’s hands were “the best”, and that “he caught whatever was near him”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Grossman

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Aaron Peirsol, Jason Lezak, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps

Brendan Hansen (Haverford)

Olympic Swimmer

Brendan Joseph Hansen (born August 15, 1981) is an American college and international swimmer who specializes in the breaststroke. He is a six-time (three gold, one silver, two bronze) Olympic medalist, and is also a former world record holder in both the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke (long course).

He has won a total of twenty-five medals in major international competition, eighteen gold, four silver, and three bronze spanning the Olympics, the World, and the Pan Pacific Championships. He was a member of the 2012 United States Olympic team, and won the bronze medal in the 100-meter breaststroke and a gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Hansen was born and grew up in Havertown, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Haverford Senior High School. He swam for several different clubs, including Karakung Swim Club and Suburban Seahawks Club. He won four consecutive state high school championships in the 100-yard breaststroke (1997–2000), and set the state high school record in the same event.

While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Hansen swam for coach Eddie Reese’s Texas Longhorns swimming and diving team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition from 2001 to 2005. During his time as a Longhorn swimmer, he never lost a breaststroke event. He was a sixteen-time All-American and won fourteen NCAA national championships. He graduated from the University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2005.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Hansen

jameer nelson

Jameer Nelson (Chester)

NBA player

Jameer Nelson (born February 9, 1982) is an American professional basketball point guard with the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Nelson attended Chester High School in Chester, Pennsylvania and was a letterman in basketball. In 2000, he helped lead his team to the PIAA AAAA State Championship.

He played college basketball at Saint Joseph’s University and was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he has played for his entire professional career. He currently is the team’s captain.

Nelson began his play at Saint Joseph’s University in the 2000–2001 NCAA season. He had a breakout freshman season in which he was named unanimous National Freshman of the Year. During his junior season in 2002–2003, he averaged 19.7 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game. He declared for the NBA Draft in 2003, but remained for his senior season.

Nelson led the Saint Joseph’s Hawks to a 27–0 regular season record. The Hawks’ first loss came in the Atlantic 10 Tournament to Xavier. Nelson and junior guard Delonte West formed what was largely considered the nation’s best backcourt, helping the Hawks earn a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They advanced to the Elite Eight and were within seconds of the Final Four before Oklahoma State Cowboys’ John Lucas III hit a three-pointer with only a few seconds remaining (after the make, Nelson dribbled up the court and had a chance to tie the game, but his 15-foot shot fell short.) Saint Joseph’s finished with a 30–2 record, the best in the university’s history. He left the Hawks as the best player in the program’s history, as its all-time leader in scoring (2094 points), assists (714), and steals (256). Nelson’s number was retired by the university on April 23, 2004.

On August 30, 2007, Nelson’s father, Floyd “Pete” Nelson was reported missing after disappearing at his Chester tugboat repair shop located along the docks of the Delaware River at Front Street and Highland Avenue. Authorities said no one saw his father fall into the water. Nelson arrived at the search scene the next morning. On September 2, 2007, Floyd Nelson’s body was found floating in the Delaware River. His death was ruled accidental.

Nelson was selected 20th in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets, and was subsequently traded to the Orlando Magic for a 2005 first-round draft pick. Though many speculated he would be a top 10 pick, he fell to number 20, and the Magic were able to acquire both Nelson and Dwight Howard in the same draft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jameer_Nelson

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mike socicia

Mike Scioscia (Upper Darby)

MLB Manager/fmr. player

Michael Lorri Scioscia (born November 27, 1958) is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball. As a player, Scioscia made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980. He was selected to two All-Star Games and won two World Series over the course of his 13-year MLB career, which was spent entirely with the Dodgers. He was signed by the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers late in his career, but never appeared in a major-league game for either team due to injury.

After his playing career ended, Scioscia spent several seasons as a minor league manager and major league coach in the Dodgers organization before being hired as the Angels manager after the 1999 season. As a manager, Scioscia led the Angels to their only-to-date World Series championship in 2002. He is the Angels’ all-time managerial leader in wins, games managed, and division titles. Scioscia was honored with the official American League Manager of the Year Award in 2002 and 2009. On May 8, 2011 Scioscia became the 56th manager to win 1,000 or more games and just the 23rd to have all 1,000 or more victories with a single team.

Early in his career after signing with the Dodgers, Scoiosia spent the off-seasons attending Penn State University, where he eventually earned a computer science degree.  Scioscia and his wife Anne have two children, a son Matthew and a daughter Taylor. They reside in Westlake Village, California. Anne Scioscia famously met her husband by bringing him cookies at Dodger Stadium.

Their son, Matt, was selected in the 45th round by the Angels in the 2011 MLB Draft. Matt was signed by the Angels on June 20, 2011 and was assigned to the AZL Angels of the Arizona League

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Scioscia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

41 responses to “Famous Delconians”

  1. J C Avatar
    J C

    Other famous people from Delco. Todd Rucci Upper Darby played for New England Patriots. Now a governor Corbett appointee (news last 2 weeks).

    David Murphy weather guy for channel 6. Believe he grew up in Drexel Hill and also Lansdowne

    Cecily Tynan of 6 ABC has lived in Delco since she started working for them years ago…

    1. DelcoDan Avatar
      DelcoDan

      Good stuff. Hoping to add some of these in the coming weeks. Thanks for the input!! Delco Pride

  2. Terri Avatar
    Terri

    Todd Rundgren

  3. sportygrl2009 Avatar
    sportygrl2009

    How about Tug McGraw & Mike Schmidt?

  4. justriley1 Avatar
    justriley1

    John Mobley (Denver Broncos), Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, – Both Chichester, Bill Mass (Marple Newtown), Joe Valerio and Matt Blundin (Ridley/Chiefs), Danny Bonaduce (Broomall), Jennifer Aniston lived in Eddystone as a kid, Mickey Vernon (AL batting champ from 1792?), J

    1. DelcoDan Avatar
      DelcoDan

      justinriley1- Good stuff. Will be adding more in the coming days.

  5. justriley1 Avatar
    justriley1

    Did wiki say anything about Tyreke Evans being the driver in a drive by murder?

  6. increase soundcloud plays Avatar

    Add one more. In most business, a fast no is better than a slow yes.

  7. Matt S Avatar
    Matt S

    C’mon! Jim Croce, Upper Darby class of 1960. The guy wrote a song called New York is not My Home because his record label made him go live there to be inspired but he missed Delco so much. Probably the most accomplished musician to ever come out of Delco. Get it together.

    1. DelcoDan Avatar
      DelcoDan

      We will be adding him shortly. Thanks for the suggestion.

    2. DelcoDan Avatar
      DelcoDan

      Jim Croce now added to our Famous Delconians list. Thanks Matt S for setting us straight!!

  8. Delco Joe Avatar
    Delco Joe

    Danny Morgan
    Clifton Heights
    Look him up on Wikipedia

  9. Delco Joe Avatar
    Delco Joe

    Todd Rundgren was born and raised in Upper Darby. I think in Westbroom Park.

  10. Giacomo Pepe Avatar
    Giacomo Pepe

    How about Todd Rundgren, Hall And Oats , Joan Jett?

    1. DelcoDan Avatar
      DelcoDan

      Not all are born and raised in Delco. Todd yes. Checking on others and will update!!

      1. Giacomo Pepe Avatar
        Giacomo Pepe

        Thanks Dan ! Love all the delco passion!

        1. DelcoDan Avatar
          DelcoDan

          Check our famous Delconians page. Updated with Todd Rundgren.

  11. zman Avatar
    zman

    Joan Jett grew up in Lansdowne Delco

  12. Jim Keil Avatar
    Jim Keil

    Garrett Brown, Haverford 1960 – inventor of Steadicam, Flycam, etc., etc.. Has won numerous awards, including Oscars. Also was the voice in the infamous Molson Golden Ale radio and tv commercials in the 60’s and 70’s. Check him out! http://www.garrettcam.om

    1. DelcoDan Avatar
      DelcoDan

      THANKS A LOT!! WE WILL BE ADDING HIM. VERY COOL.. STEDICAM REVOULTIONIZED FILM MAKING.

      1. bob h Avatar
        bob h

        chris wheeler. w.c. fields. USMC general Ronald coleman

      2. Joe Avatar
        Joe

        Kobe kobe kobe. Lower Merion

        1. Joe Avatar
          Joe

          My bad thought lower merian was delco. I was wrong.

  13. tom mcfadden Avatar
    tom mcfadden

    You have overlooked my childhood friend Chuck Dixson from La carra drive in lansdown. Creator of the comic book character Banes and the Expendables. Nice guy and all around interesting person.

    1. mike iannetta Avatar
      mike iannetta

      hall and oates were not from UD. D Hall is from up near Pottstown and J Oates grew up near Sellersville Chuck Dixon went to UDHS

  14. AnnM Avatar
    AnnM

    Don’t forget Bradley Cooper who lived on Madison Avenue in Upper Darby (Lawrence Park), PA.

  15. April Perry Avatar
    April Perry

    Stephenie Lagrossa(Kendrick) grew up in Glenolden,PA and was my childhood friend. She was on the hit show Survivor 3 times and married Kyle Kendrick, Phillies pitcher.

  16. Pud Avatar
    Pud

    What about Lloyd Alexander?

  17. jack firgach Avatar
    jack firgach

    Hey guy’s you should also consider Donna Barnes. Pretty successful.. check her out

  18. Lance "The Jackhammer" Martinicchio Avatar
    Lance “The Jackhammer” Martinicchio

    How about George Lombardo? Former owner of Lump’s and longtime Clifton resident.

  19. Barb Emig Avatar
    Barb Emig

    What about Christa McAuliffe from the challenger disaster. Born in Boston but taught in Delco before her untimely demise. I think she deserves a mention.

  20. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    Joe Klecko – NY Jets legend … Born in chester PA

  21. Cory C Avatar
    Cory C

    Marta Kauffman, co-creator of ‘Friends’, graduated from Marple.

  22. Gia Vent Avatar
    Gia Vent

    Tom Verica of Havertown and Robert Hazard of Springfield.

  23. Gwill Avatar
    Gwill

    Geoff Petrie
    Robert Hazard
    Cinderella

  24. Steve hertler Avatar
    Steve hertler

    You forgot John Mobley and Billy “White shoes” Johnson

  25. Ed Campitelli Avatar
    Ed Campitelli

    How bout the Crawford Family of the LYNNEWOOD section of Haverford Twp…..PATRIARCH: MLB UMPIRE ‘ SHAG CRAWFORD; sons: JERRY CRAWFORD MLB UMPIRE ( was probably the best MLB ump of his era ; and JOEY or JOE CRAWFORD NBA REF ( just retired ….will get selected for the NBA HALL of FAME someday).

  26. Ted Smith Avatar
    Ted Smith

    How about Tom Ingylsby. Cardinal O’Hara Grad and Villanova Basketball Star ?

  27. Ted Smith Avatar
    Ted Smith

    Oh yea! David Murphy. Channel 6 Action News and O’Hara Classmate’77👍

  28. Nancy Day Avatar
    Nancy Day

    Dick Clark (American Bandstand) & Al Alberts (Four Aces) were Delco residents. Ethel Waters, one of the first Black women celebrities, was from Chester.

  29. Jean Avatar
    Jean

    How about former Green Bay Packer Bob Kuberski?

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