Darrington Seals (1989) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Darrington Seals

Induction:
1989
Class:
1966

1961-65
Football/Track
‘66

He was a rare breed at The University of Akron in the early 1960’s. Rare because he was one of the very few athletes who came from out of state to play at UA. Dubbed the “Whippet from Aliquippa,” Seals was brought from Pennsylvania to Akron by Gordon Larson in 1961, his first season as the Zips’ head football coach. Little did Larson realize he head a Hall of Famer in the making. It was players like the 5-10, 150-pound Seals who helped take UA from 1-8 in 1960 to 6-2 in the 1961. He would go on to contribute to three more winning campaigns—7.2 in ’62, and ‘6-3 in both 1963 and ’64. Seals began his career as an offensive halfback but, his coaches quickly discovered he had defensive talents as well. As a result, he was a two-way performer his first two seasons and in his final year. He gained first team All-Ohio Conference honors as a defensive back in 1962, was second team in ’63 and recaptured first team honors as a senior. Ironically, it was the 1964 season in which he excelled on offense including piling up 96 yards rushing in the 25-15 victory over Ball State. For his efforts he was voted the Touchdown Club Trophy as UA’s Most Outstanding Back. Not only did Seals letter four years in football, but four years in track and with similar success. A sprinter and 400 man, he was on teams that captured Ohio Conference Championships in 1962, ’63 and ’65—winning 30 of 32 meets in the process.