University of Delaware Athletics
DACR Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2026
8/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Delaware Athletics
NEWARK, Del. – The Department of Athletics and Campus Recreation will induct Nick Boyle, Kim Castellanos, Dave Ferrell, Greta Nauck, Jimmy Yezzo, and Mary Zegar into its Hall of Fame as the Class of 2026, the department announced Wednesday.
The Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame, which originated in 1997, was established to honor 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 Saturday, October 10, and the group will be introduced at halftime of the football game on Tuesday, October 20 against Missouri State. 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 visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
NICHOLAS R. "NICK" BOYLE
Football (2011-2014)
One of the most prolific tight ends in Delaware football history, Nick Boyle was one of the top players at his position nationally during his career and later enjoyed a solid eight-year career in the National Football League with the Baltimore Ravens. A native of Wantage, NJ and a 2015 UD graduate, he led the Blue Hens to three winning seasons and finished his career as the all-time Blue Hen leader among tight ends in receptions (101), receiving yards (984), and touchdowns (12) while playing in 41 games. He earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors twice and garnered 2nd team All-American honors by the Sports Network in 2014 when served as co-captain and caught 37 passes for 474 yards and four touchdowns to earn team Most Valuable Player honors. Following the season, he played in the prestigious Senior Bowl and took part in the NFL Scouting Combine. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Ravens and went on to play eight seasons with the club, appearing in 90 games and catching 101 passes for 1,049 yards and four touchdowns. One of the NFL's top blocking tight ends during his tenure, he led the Ravens to two division titles and four playoff appearances.
KIM L. CASTELLANOS
Women's Swimming & Diving (1990-1994)
One of the top backstrokers in Delaware women's swimming history, Kim Castellanos was a record-breaking contributor for the Blue Hens during her career in 1990-94. A native of Middletown, NJ, she set nine school records, posted 13 top three finishes in conference championship competition, and was selected as the UD Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 1994, becoming the first swimmer in school history to earn the award. A four-year letterwinner and two-time team Most Valuable Player, the 1994 UD graduate captured three conference titles during her tenure, winning the 1993 North Atlantic Conference 200 backstroke title and teaming to win the 400 and 800 freestyle relay events at the 1991 East Coast Conference meet. During her career, she established nine school records, including the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, and four relay events. She led the Blue Hens to 25 dual meet wins during her career and the squad never finished lower than third at any conference meet championship. She also competed internationally, representing her native country Puerto Rico at the Pan American Games.
DAVID A. "DAVE" FERRELL
Men's Soccer (1974-1977)
Baseball (1975-1977)
One of Delaware's top two-sport standouts during the 1970's, Dave Ferrell excelled as a defender on the soccer pitch and on the mound in baseball. He earned seven letters, starting four seasons for coach Loren Kline in soccer (1974-77) and serving as a key member of the pitching staff for baseball coach Bob Hannah (1975-77). A native of Springfield, PA and a 1978 UD graduate, he led the soccer team to a four-year mark of 34-13-9 and the 1975 East Coast Conference Western Section championship. A two-time team co-captain, he scored 18 career goals, anchored a defense that recorded 21 shutouts, and was a two-time All-American (1976-77), a two-time East Coast Conference Player of the Year, a four-time all-conference pick, and a two-time all-region selection. He was the first two-time All-American in UD soccer history and was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1978 MSL Draft. In baseball, he led the Hens to a record of 91-43 that included an ECC Western Section title in 1977. He played in 34 career games with 13 starts and posted a record of 11-10. His six saves in 1975 set a school record. In 169 career innings, the left-hander posted a 2.65 earned run average and struck out 142 batters.
GRETA C.J. NAUCK
Field Hockey (2015-2018)
One of the most decorated female athletes in Delaware athletics history, Greta Nauck dominated on the field hockey field for the Blue Hens in 2015-18. A four-year starter and a 2019 UD graduate, she led the Hens to a record of 67-20 which included four Colonial Athletic Association championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 2016 NCAA Division I National Championship when the Hens went 23-2, defeating Princeton in the semifinals and North Carolina in the title game. A three-time All-American, including first-team notice twice, she was named the CWSA/Honda National Player of the Year and the National Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 when she led the Blue Hens with an NCAA-leading 33 goals. She was also a four-time all-region selection, a two-time region Player of the Year, a three-time All-CAA selection, and a two-time CAA Player of the Year (2016-17). She played in 82 career games and set school career records for goals (82) and points (198) and ranked No. 2 with 15 game-winning goals. She was selected as the UD Female Athlete of the Year for 2016-17. A native of Hamburg, Germany, she also competed for the youth German National Team.
JAMES J. "JIMMY" YEZZO
Baseball (2010-2013)
One of Delaware baseball's all-time great sluggers, Jimmy Yezzo was a standout first baseman and one of the nation's top players as a junior in 2013. A native of Cherry Hill, NJ, he put it all together in his final collegiate season when he batted .410 with 13 home runs, 28 doubles, and 46 runs batted in to earn consensus 1st team All-American honors while also being named the ECAC Eastern Player of the Year and Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes National Player of the Year Award and ranked No. 3 in the nation in batting average and No. 6 in RBI. Following the season, he was selected in the 7th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Washington Nationals and played four seasons professionally. He was a two-time America East all-star, led the team to three straight winning seasons under Hall of Fame head coach Jim Sherman, and was named the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2012 when he led the Blue Hens to the championship game. For his career, he played in 134 games with 114 starts, batted .361 with 97 runs scored, 122 RBI, 44 doubles, and 23 home runs and committed just 5 errors in 878 chances (.994) at first base.
MARY L. ZAGAR
(1936-2017)
Sports Medicine Nurse (1982-2016)
During her nearly four decades with University of Delaware Athletics as sports medicine nurse, Mary Zagar was the heart and soul of the UD Sports Medicine Clinic from its inception in 1982 until her retirement in 2016. "Nurse Mary" came into contact with thousands of Blue Hen student-athletes and had a lasting impact, serving as a fierce advocate and supporting their health and well-being. She had a soft heart, a kind soul, a firm hand, and a rigid spine that created a sense of respect and awe from all that knew and worked with her. A native of Mahanoy City, PA, she joined the UD Student Health Services staff in 1975 and moved over to athletics with the establishment of the sports medicine program in 1982. She served under nine sports medicine physicians during her tenure.
The Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame, which originated in 1997, was established to honor 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 Saturday, October 10, and the group will be introduced at halftime of the football game on Tuesday, October 20 against Missouri State. 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 visiting bluehens.com/fbtickets.
NICHOLAS R. "NICK" BOYLE
Football (2011-2014)
One of the most prolific tight ends in Delaware football history, Nick Boyle was one of the top players at his position nationally during his career and later enjoyed a solid eight-year career in the National Football League with the Baltimore Ravens. A native of Wantage, NJ and a 2015 UD graduate, he led the Blue Hens to three winning seasons and finished his career as the all-time Blue Hen leader among tight ends in receptions (101), receiving yards (984), and touchdowns (12) while playing in 41 games. He earned All-Colonial Athletic Association honors twice and garnered 2nd team All-American honors by the Sports Network in 2014 when served as co-captain and caught 37 passes for 474 yards and four touchdowns to earn team Most Valuable Player honors. Following the season, he played in the prestigious Senior Bowl and took part in the NFL Scouting Combine. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Ravens and went on to play eight seasons with the club, appearing in 90 games and catching 101 passes for 1,049 yards and four touchdowns. One of the NFL's top blocking tight ends during his tenure, he led the Ravens to two division titles and four playoff appearances.
KIM L. CASTELLANOS
Women's Swimming & Diving (1990-1994)
One of the top backstrokers in Delaware women's swimming history, Kim Castellanos was a record-breaking contributor for the Blue Hens during her career in 1990-94. A native of Middletown, NJ, she set nine school records, posted 13 top three finishes in conference championship competition, and was selected as the UD Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 1994, becoming the first swimmer in school history to earn the award. A four-year letterwinner and two-time team Most Valuable Player, the 1994 UD graduate captured three conference titles during her tenure, winning the 1993 North Atlantic Conference 200 backstroke title and teaming to win the 400 and 800 freestyle relay events at the 1991 East Coast Conference meet. During her career, she established nine school records, including the 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley, and four relay events. She led the Blue Hens to 25 dual meet wins during her career and the squad never finished lower than third at any conference meet championship. She also competed internationally, representing her native country Puerto Rico at the Pan American Games.
DAVID A. "DAVE" FERRELL
Men's Soccer (1974-1977)
Baseball (1975-1977)
One of Delaware's top two-sport standouts during the 1970's, Dave Ferrell excelled as a defender on the soccer pitch and on the mound in baseball. He earned seven letters, starting four seasons for coach Loren Kline in soccer (1974-77) and serving as a key member of the pitching staff for baseball coach Bob Hannah (1975-77). A native of Springfield, PA and a 1978 UD graduate, he led the soccer team to a four-year mark of 34-13-9 and the 1975 East Coast Conference Western Section championship. A two-time team co-captain, he scored 18 career goals, anchored a defense that recorded 21 shutouts, and was a two-time All-American (1976-77), a two-time East Coast Conference Player of the Year, a four-time all-conference pick, and a two-time all-region selection. He was the first two-time All-American in UD soccer history and was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1978 MSL Draft. In baseball, he led the Hens to a record of 91-43 that included an ECC Western Section title in 1977. He played in 34 career games with 13 starts and posted a record of 11-10. His six saves in 1975 set a school record. In 169 career innings, the left-hander posted a 2.65 earned run average and struck out 142 batters.
GRETA C.J. NAUCK
Field Hockey (2015-2018)
One of the most decorated female athletes in Delaware athletics history, Greta Nauck dominated on the field hockey field for the Blue Hens in 2015-18. A four-year starter and a 2019 UD graduate, she led the Hens to a record of 67-20 which included four Colonial Athletic Association championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 2016 NCAA Division I National Championship when the Hens went 23-2, defeating Princeton in the semifinals and North Carolina in the title game. A three-time All-American, including first-team notice twice, she was named the CWSA/Honda National Player of the Year and the National Offensive Player of the Year in 2016 when she led the Blue Hens with an NCAA-leading 33 goals. She was also a four-time all-region selection, a two-time region Player of the Year, a three-time All-CAA selection, and a two-time CAA Player of the Year (2016-17). She played in 82 career games and set school career records for goals (82) and points (198) and ranked No. 2 with 15 game-winning goals. She was selected as the UD Female Athlete of the Year for 2016-17. A native of Hamburg, Germany, she also competed for the youth German National Team.
JAMES J. "JIMMY" YEZZO
Baseball (2010-2013)
One of Delaware baseball's all-time great sluggers, Jimmy Yezzo was a standout first baseman and one of the nation's top players as a junior in 2013. A native of Cherry Hill, NJ, he put it all together in his final collegiate season when he batted .410 with 13 home runs, 28 doubles, and 46 runs batted in to earn consensus 1st team All-American honors while also being named the ECAC Eastern Player of the Year and Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes National Player of the Year Award and ranked No. 3 in the nation in batting average and No. 6 in RBI. Following the season, he was selected in the 7th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Washington Nationals and played four seasons professionally. He was a two-time America East all-star, led the team to three straight winning seasons under Hall of Fame head coach Jim Sherman, and was named the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2012 when he led the Blue Hens to the championship game. For his career, he played in 134 games with 114 starts, batted .361 with 97 runs scored, 122 RBI, 44 doubles, and 23 home runs and committed just 5 errors in 878 chances (.994) at first base.
MARY L. ZAGAR
(1936-2017)
Sports Medicine Nurse (1982-2016)
During her nearly four decades with University of Delaware Athletics as sports medicine nurse, Mary Zagar was the heart and soul of the UD Sports Medicine Clinic from its inception in 1982 until her retirement in 2016. "Nurse Mary" came into contact with thousands of Blue Hen student-athletes and had a lasting impact, serving as a fierce advocate and supporting their health and well-being. She had a soft heart, a kind soul, a firm hand, and a rigid spine that created a sense of respect and awe from all that knew and worked with her. A native of Mahanoy City, PA, she joined the UD Student Health Services staff in 1975 and moved over to athletics with the establishment of the sports medicine program in 1982. She served under nine sports medicine physicians during her tenure.
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