University of Delaware Athletics
HALL OF FAME COUNTDOWN: Omar Cuff - Football
9/24/2015 4:00:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. - The University of Delaware will induct its 19th Athletics Hall of Fame Class in a ceremony next Friday, Oct. 2, at the Embassy Suites and follow with a special on-field halftime recognition on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Blue Hens host William & Mary in football at Delaware Stadium.
Today we continue the 10-day countdown to the event and will recognize one of the inductees each day until the ceremony.
DAY 9 (Sept. 24)
OMAR CUFF (Football)
Look over the all-time rushing and scoring records in Delaware football history and you will see the name Omar Cuff over and over again.
During his stellar career as a running back for the Blue Hens in 2004-07, Omar broke nearly every record and earned every award imaginable.
A native of Landover, Md., he began his career at Delaware as a reserve defensive back, but that 
quickly changed when he moved over to help out an injury-depleted backfield and never looked back.
During his remarkable four-year career, he set 28 Delaware, eight Colonial Athletic Association, and five NCAA rushing and scoring records and graduated as Delaware's all-time leading scorer with 73 touchdowns and ranked No. 2 on the all-time rushing list with 4,364 yards.
His senior season in 2007 was incredible as he teamed with quarterback and fellow All-American Joe Flacco to lead the Blue Hens to a national runner-up finish. He rushed 398 times for a school-record 1,973 yards and set an NCAA record with 35 rushing touchdowns. He tied another NCAA mark when he scored an incredible seven touchdowns in the season-opening win over William & Mary.
Omar was a consensus first team All-American in 2007, earned third team All-American honors in 2005, earned All-CAA honors three times, was a two-time All-East selection, and finished fourth in the Walter Payton National Player of the Year Award voting as a senior when he shared the UD Outstanding Senior Male Athlete of the Year Award with Flacco.
He later had an NFL tryout with Tennessee and served on the practice squads with Cleveland, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and New England.
Omar currently resides in Suitland, Md. with his wife, Carla, and daughter, Kyralyn, and works with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He earned his degree in theater production from UD in 2008.
"Being a part of the UD athletic program was a wonderful experience and I never realized that, when joining the school, I would be becoming apart of a lineage of great motivators and legends. Before coming to Delaware I was a competitive person who loved challenges and setting records. That was my aspiration, to leave a mark so that I will always be remembered. However, when coming to UD it had pushed me to an entirely different level.
"I remember the early morning before day break a group of dedicated people with a mind and heart to go beyond their limits to achieve victory in all aspects of their being," said Cuff. "It was amazing to witness your teammate pushing beyond their limits and transforming who they are into something far greater than they ever imagined. This only pushed me to do they same. In the process I have created bonds, relationships, and friendships that would shape who I am today. Using what I learned at UD has given me the strength and perseverance to be a husband, father, provider, protector, and a man of God. In addition, I am eternally grateful for the University's recognition."
Day 10 (Sept. 23): Stephanie Barry (Volleyball)
Day 9 (Sept. 24): Omar Cuff (Football)
Day 8 (Sept. 25): Ken Dill (Men's Basketball & Tennis)
Day 7 (Sept. 26): Bruce Fad (Baseball & Football)
Day 6 (Sept. 27): Sarah Gause (Women's Basketball & Track & Field)
Day 5 (Sept. 28): Leah Geib (Field Hockey)
Day 4 (Sept. 29): Ted Kempski (Football)
Day 3 (Sept. 30): Joe Lank (Football, Baseball, Track & Field)
Day 2 (Oct. 1): George Schmitt (Football)
Day 1 (Oct. 2): Steve Shaw (Men's Lacrosse)
