Delaware to Induct Six as 2023 Hall of Fame Class

NEWARK, Del – The University of Delaware Department of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation is pleased to announce that Larry Catuzzi, Gino Gradkowski, Esmée Peet, Devon Saddler, Denise Wescott, and Barb Wolffe will be inducted as its Hall of Fame Class of 2023.

The Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame, which originated in 1997, was established to salute outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have contributed to UD's athletic tradition of excellence. Nearly 200 Blue Hens have been inducted into the hall of fame.

The invitation-only induction ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 4, and the group will be introduced at halftime of the football game on Saturday, Nov. 5. Those wishing to celebrate the induction of the honorees should plan to do so at the football game. Tickets for the game can be purchased by clicking here or visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.

LAWRENCE R. "LARRY" CATUZZI
Football (1954-57)
Baseball (1956-58)

One of the top all-around student-athletes at Delaware during the 1950's, Larry starred in football and baseball for the Blue Hens in 1954-58. A native of Carlstadt, N.J., he was a standout quarterback for three seasons for Hall of Fame coach Dave Nelson and led the team to a mark of 17-8-1. He also played defensive back, punted, and kicked field goals for the Hens. He was a starting shortstop for the baseball team in 1956-58 and led the 1956 squad to two Middle Atlantic Conference titles and the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1956. Following graduation in 1958, he embarked on a college and professional football coaching career that saw him serve as an assistant at Dayton, Indiana, and Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship. He later served as a head coach at NCAA III Williams College in 1968-70. He later had a successful career in the fields of investment banking and sports administration and currently serves as vice-chairman of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority. He also serves on the advisory board of Texans, Astros, and Rockets.

GINO GRADKOWSKI
Football (2009-11)

An outstanding three-year starter on the offensive line in 2009-11, Gino earned All-American honors for the Blue Hens and enjoyed success in the National Football League. A native of Pittsburgh, Gino was a three-year starter who played guard and center, led Delaware to a three-year mark of 25-12, and was the key blocker for the 2011 team that went 12-3 and advanced to the NCAA national title game. He was a consensus All-American in 2010, earning first team honors by the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, and The Sports Network. He also earned All-American honors in 2010 and was a two-time All-East and Colonial Athletic Association selection. He was a fourth-round pick of the NFL Baltimore Ravens in 2012, earned a Super Bowl ring in 2013, and played 60 games over seven seasons in the NFL. Following his playing career, the 2012 UD graduate worked in the Blue Hens' Athletics Department and currently serves as assistant football coach at NCAA III Rowan University.

ESMEE PEET
Field Hockey (2013-16)

The most decorated student-athlete in Delaware's rich field hockey history, Esmee was among the top players in the nation during her career and led the Blue Hens to the 2016 NCAA national title. A native of The Netherlands, she was a four-year starter for head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof in 2013-16, was a three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-American, and a two-time Synapse Sports All-American. A four-time all-region and all-conference selection, she was named the 2013 Colonial Athletic Association Player and Rookie of the Year and the 2016 CAA Field Hockey Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The 2017 UD honors graduate led the Blue Hens to four CAA Tournament titles, two CAA regular season championships, and four NCAA Tournament berths. A team captain, she earned the prestigious UD Mary Ann Hitchens Award and was a NCAA Woman of the Year nominee. She played in a UD record 91 games, scored 48 total goals (No. 4 all-time), and dished out 24 assists (No. 6).

DEVON SADDLER
Men's Basketball (2010-14)

A high-scoring, hot-shooting four-year backcourt starter in 2010-14, Devon closed his career as the all-time leading scorer in school history and led the Blue Hens to a Colonial Athletic Association title and NCAA Tournament berth as a senior in 2014. A native of Aberdeen, Md., Devon was a four-time team MVP, earned All-CAA honors four times, was a three-time All-District selection, and was a Mid-Major All-American. A three-year team captain, he recorded one of the finest seasons ever by a UD player in 2013-14 when he averaged 19.7 points per game (No. 30 in NCAA), was runner-up for CAA Player of the Year honors, and led the team to a 25-10 record and the NCAA Tournament for head coach Monte Ross. During his career, the Blue Hens posted a combined record of 76-55. Devon set the school career scoring record with 2,222 points, averaged 15.7 points per game for his career, and scored 20 or more points in a game 50 times. He continued his playing career overseas and was named the Belarusian League MVP in 2019.

DENISE WESCOTT
Women's Lacrosse Head Coach (1994-2004)
Field Hockey Assistant Coach (1993-97)

A nationally and internationally respected women's lacrosse coach, Denise served a successful 11-year tenure as head coach of the Blue Hens and also was an assistant field hockey coach for five seasons. She recorded a record of 104-86 in 1994-2004, leading the squad to three straight America East conference lacrosse titles in 1997, 1998, and 1999 and to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2000. Her teams won 10 or more games five times, were ranked in the Top 20 six times, and her 104 wins is the second highest total in UD annals. A native of Moorestown, N.J., she was an All-American goalkeeper at Maryland. In addition to her tenure at UD, she has also served as head coach at Drew, Monmouth, Mt. St. Mary's, Rutgers, and Cal and has won over 200 games. She also coached the German National Team in 1994-2005 and was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2018. She served as president of the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association for three years and earned the IWLCA's Diane Geppi-Aikens Lifetime Achievement College Coaching Award.

BARBARA A. "BARB" WOLFFE
Field Hockey (1986-89)
Women's Lacrosse (1987-90)
Field Hockey Assistant Coach (1990-91)

One of the top two-sport standouts in UD women's athletics history, Barb was a consistent standout in both field and lacrosse in 1986-90 and was named the 1990 UD Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year. A native of Wilmington, Del., she was a team MVP, team captain, and all-conference selection in both sports and led each to Top 20 national rankings and conference titles. A 1990 UD graduate, she earned All-American honors in lacrosse as a senior in 1990 and was a first team All-East Coast Conference in lacrosse (1990) and field hockey (1989). She led her field hockey teams to a combined record of 50-22-8, two regular seasons ECC titles, and a 1988 NCAA Tournament berth. Her lacrosse teams posted a four-year mark of 39-29 and the 1987 ECC crown. A defender in field hockey, she started 56 games and helped her team post 28 shutouts. As an attack in lacrosse, she started 66 games and contributed 94 goals, 47 assists, and 141 points, all marks that ranked in the all-time UD top 10.

University of Delaware Athletics

Related Videos