Delco Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
A Class Act of Gratitude

The Delaware County Athletes Hall of Fame, dates back to 1939 (Delaware County Old Timers Association), and was the first organization to recognize the many outstanding men and women of all sports in Delaware County.  A distinguished class of athletes and sportsmen were recently honored at the Concordville Inn before over 230 guests.  This Fall’s class includes:

Russell Carlson (Humanitarian Award) - Russ has been an avid supporter of youth programs in Delaware County, especially the Media area.  Youth sports and recreational opportunities are special to him.  Several organizations, including Aston-Middletown Little League, Riddlewood Swim Team, Granite Run Youth Tennis, Riddlewood Little League, Broomall’s Lake Swim Team, Media Youth Center and Penncrest High School Girls’ Tennis, Boys Soccer and Ice Hockey teams have benefitted from Russ’ generosity.   In addition to the athletic programs, Russ is also a strong supporter of all programs  that benefit young people, including the Penncrest post-prom party and local scout troops. Russ is a member of the Middletown Township Council, Middletown Business and Professional Association,

Connie Newman (Baseball) - Connie graduated from West Catholic High School and LaSalle College.   After graduating LaSalle, Connie signed a bonus contract as a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals (1960). His record included 151 innings pitched, 161 hits, ERA 4.23 and Ks 138.  From 1975-79 and 1990-96 Connie pitched batting practice for the Phillies.  In 2005, at age 69, Connie participated with the Delco All stars in the MSBL Fall Classic.

Ted Woolery  (Track and Field Coach) - A graduate of PMC, Ted was Captain of the Track and Field and Cross Country teams.  Ted is completing his 42nd year of coaching at the high school level.  Throughout his tenure at Chichester HS, he coached teams to Section II and III titles, as well as Del Val titles in Track and Cross-Country.  Presently, Ted is head track coach at Radnor High where he coached Troy Markous, who set the County record (15’3”).  His most notable student was All-Delco, former Super Bowl Captain John Mobley of the Denver Broncos.

Jules Falcone (Bowling) - A graduate of St. James High School, Jules is notably one of the most knowledgeable and highly respected bowlers from Delaware County.  Having consistently averaged 200+ for more than 30 years, he continues to bowl in Major Leagues in Delaware County.  His averages for the 2010-11 season were 203 and 211.
Based on his 8th place finish in the 1973 ABC National Tournament with 60,000 entries, Jules was invited to compete in the U.S. Team Trials in Milwaukee.  In addition, Jules coached St. James bowling team for 6 years in the 1980s.  He is proud of the fact that one of his students started with a 145 average and, by his senior year, averaged 200.

Mary Ellen Olcese (Swimming) - Raised in Aldan, Mary Ellen started her athletic career as an 8-year-old summer swimmer at the Aldan Swim Club.  She joined the prestigious Vesper Boat Club at age 9, and was coached by U.S. Swimming Hall of Fame coach Mary Kelly and later by the notable George Breen.  Her talents emerged at age 12, when she qualified at the senior national level.  She competed internationally and nationally for Vesper Boat Club until she was 18.  Mary Ellen continued her career at the University of Pennsylvania, competing in the early years of women’s collegiate swimming. 

Some highlights of Mary Ellen’s outstanding career include:  World Record Holder in the 440 yard IM (1966); a record she held until FINA “retired” the event in 1969.  She is a U.S. National 400 IM Champion (1965) and 18-time national qualifier in numerous events (1964-68); three-time American Record Holder in the 440 yd. IM, 400 IM  (short course) and 200 yd. Medley Relay.  She was a member of the 1965 U.S. Swim Team competing in Great Britain, Monaco, Spain, Portugal and New Zealand (1966).  Mary Ellen is a two-time New Zealand National Record Holder and two-time U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier and finalist (1964 and 1968).

Dave Johnson (Distinguished) - A graduate of Swarthmore High and Swarthmore College, Dave spent the majority of his professional life promoting the sport of track and field.  He is the founder, editor and publisher of Philadelphia Track, and was the statistical editor for Track and Field News, and historian for the prestigious Penn Relays. Dave served as the public address announcer for numerous major domestic track and field events including the US Olympic Trials and the Atlanta Olympic Games

John Leary (Football Coach) - A graduate of St. James, John played varsity football at West Chester University, where he was on two championship teams, and named to All-PSAC Team Offensive Line.

John served as Head Football Coach at Penn Wood High from 1991-2003, where he accumulated 82 wins (most in the history of PWHS), and had 21 First Team All-Delco players.  His teams won five Del-Val League titles between 1984 and 1994. In 1992 and 1994 John was named Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer, and was the News of Delaware County’s 1994 Coach of the Year when his team ranked #1 in the area. 

Jim Watson (Professional Ice Hockey) - Jimmy was born in the tiny western Canadian hamlet of Smithers, British Columbia.  Jim was named Best Defenseman in the WCHL during the 1971-72 season.  The Flyer’s when  selected Jim in the  1972  Draft, and the prospect of playing on the same team with his brother Joe ‘put the icing on the cake.’   That was the beginning of Jimmy’s ten years in the NHL—all with the Orange and Black. After playing pivotal roles in the Flyers two Stanley Cups, in 1974 and 75, injuries started to pile up for him in his mid-twenties.  He suffered permanent retinal damage from a high stick in a game with the St. Louis Blues. Jim retired after the 1981-82 season.