University of Delaware Athletics
Adams, Nagy Join Delaware Hall of Fame in Spring Induction Ceremony
4/15/2022 10:39:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – There was a special kind of atmosphere in the air on Friday night as a pair of Blue Hens finally received their due as University of Delaware alums Mike “Pops” Adams and Matt Nagy were inducted into the Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in a special Spring Induction Ceremony at the Whitney Athletic Center. The two football greats join six other UD alums who were honored in a ceremony during the fall.
Gallery: Spring HOF Induction Ceremony
It was a light and joyous mood throughout the evening as Adams and Nagy were recognized in front of a crowd of nearly 200 people that consisted of family, friends and teammates, many of whom were not afraid to heckle the two inductees.
After a fun cocktail hour, where plenty of stories and laughs were shared, Scott Klatzkin got the ceremony started as he welcomed in the crowd and introduced Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Services Chrissi Rawak. She addressed the crowd, mostly comprised of alumni who were inside the Whitney Athletic Center for the first time, and ensured them that construction of the facility and the amenities that it provided was only made possible because of the foundation that they set during their time in Newark.
Adams and Nagy then took part in a panel, led by Klatzkin where they reminisced about their time at Delaware, thinking back on fond memories such as Adams’ 97-yard touchdown return against West Chester in 2000, or Nagy’s record-setting 556 passing yards against UConn. The two inductees, who were teammates for a couple of seasons, joked with each other about who would get the better of who when they opposed each other during practices. Their teammates in the crowd were not shy about making sure they were correct in their memories.
Throughout the 30-minute program Adams and Nagy not only recollected fond memories on the field but also the relationships that they forged while in Newark, as well as those that helped them get to the University of Delaware and the coaches and other individuals who helped them thrive in the Blue & Gold and pursue their careers in professional football.
The evening concluded when Rawak presented both inductees with their official Hall of Fame plaques that will go on permanent display in the Athletics Hall of Fame in the Bob Carpenter Center.
?????? ??????'?? ?????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???????????? ????.@MDOTADAMS20 with a strong message at tonight's HOF Spring Induction Ceremony!#BlueHens pic.twitter.com/rUjedfc1no
— Delaware Football (@DelawareFB) April 16, 2022
???? ?????? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ??????????. ???? ?????? ???? ????????????????.
— Delaware Football (@DelawareFB) April 16, 2022
Matt Nagy recognized his HOF induction would not be possible without those who put on the Blue & Gold alongside him.#BlueHens pic.twitter.com/1PAhPC920p
MICHAEL C. "MIKE" "POPS" ADAMS
Football (1999-2003)
The heart and soul of Delaware's 2003 national championship football team, Pops enjoyed a standout career as a defensive back for the Blue Hens and went on to a 16-year Pro Bowl career in the NFL. The Paterson, N.J. native and 2004 Delaware graduate played parts of five seasons at UD, served as captain of the 15-1 national title team, and earned All-Atlantic 10 honors as a senior when he recorded 70 tackles and four interceptions as the leader of one of the nation's stingiest defenses. For his UD career, Mike played in 48 games and recorded 213 tackles, the eighth-highest total ever for a Blue Hen defensive back. He also intercepted 11 passes for his career, ranking 11th all-time at UD. He also returned an interception 97 yards for a touchdown vs. West Chester in 2000, the fourth-longest return in school history. He signed a free agent NFL contract with San Francisco in 2004 and went on to a stellar pro career that saw him play in 228 regular season games (the most ever by a UD player in the NFL), record 935 tackles, 30 interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles. He played in the 2014 Super Bowl with Denver and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2014 and 2015 while playing for the Indianapolis Colts.
MATTHEW "MATT" NAGY
Football (1997-2000)
One of the all-time great quarterbacks in Delaware history, Matt was a record-setting signal caller in 1997-2000 who moved on to an outstanding professional playing career and has followed with a distinguished coaching career in the NFL. The Manheim, Pa. native led UD to a four-year mark of 38-12 under Hall of Fame coach Tubby Raymond and made two NCAA playoff appearances, including a berth in the national semifinals in 2000. The strong-armed Nagy, a 2001 UD graduate, earned third team All-American honors as a senior in 2000 when he passed for a school-record 3,436 yards and 29 touchdowns while setting school standards for career completions (502), passing yards (8,214), and touchdowns (58). His 556 yards passing vs. Connecticut in 1998 remains a UD record. He enjoyed a stellar six-year playing career in the Arena Football League in 2002-08. After his playing days, he joined the NFL coaching
