Ken Delaney (1989) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Ken Delaney

Induction:
1989
Class:
1973

1965-68
Football
Offensive Tackle
‘73

Tonight, Ken Delaney becomes the seventh player from UA’s 1968 Grantland Rice Bowl team to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The one-time offensive tackle, who labored in the trenches for Head Coach Gordon Larson from 1965 through 1968, is finally getting his due. “Ken was an extremely reliable four-year starter and will have to go down as one of the best linemen I’ve coached here, “said Larson in 1968. The 6-6, 240-pound Delaney, who was recruited out of nearby Manchester High School, helped UA compile a 7-21 record in 1968, shatter44 school records and earn the schools’ first bowl game bid. Delaney opened the holes for the backs who gained a record-breaking 2100 yards rushing and protected the passers who passed for 2083 record-breaking yards. For his effort Delaney and three other teammates, Don Zwisler, Dan Ruff and Sonny Pallija, were named Little All-Americans—the first such national honor for UA player since 1954. Delaney was drafted by the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in the 11th round in 1969, however, he also got a draft notice from the U.S, military which quickly ended any thought of a professional football career. Delaney did return UA to earn his degree in business administration in 1973.