When Laura Delaney George played softball at the University of Massachusetts Boston, she and the rest of the beacons had to ride shuttle buses — with all of their equipment — to JFK station before walking to Columbia Park, which is where they played their home games. When she began her volleyball career, they had to play in McCormack Hall, which is where the original gymnasium was located, before they moved into the Clark Center.
While the athletic department has undergone major improvements since then, they are also making sure that their humble beginnings are remembered, and that’s a partial reason that Delaney George will be inducted into the Beacons Hall of Fame on October 9.
For the class of 1983 Management graduate, the honor is both exhilarating and humbling.
“I felt honored. I was so excited,” said Delaney George. “I have very fond memories of my years at UMass Boston so I’m very happy about the whole situation.”
“It gives you some recognition for all of the hard work that you put in, just being on teams. There’s a good feeling knowing that we helped build the foundation of the sports at UMass Boston.”
Delaney George certainly helped build the Athletic Department into what it is today. There was no volleyball on campus when she arrived, but by the time she graduated the program was 14-5 and playing in regional postseason tournaments. Had it not been for an assist from Athletic Director, Charlie Titus, it’s quite possible that she, nor any other players, would never even have had a team to be a part of.
“When I started in my first year, volleyball was a club sport and Charlie [Titus] had to step in and be our coach,” said Delaney George.
“He stepped in and said ‘if you guys are interested in playing, we can help you with the equipment that we have on hand and we’ll help you form this team and get you started.'”
Delaney George added, “I think that what you learn is if you want something badly enough, you can make it happen. Charlie’s backing at the time was really important to get this team started.”
Delaney George was a true two-sport star. She will be the first Hall of Fame inductee that played both softball and volleyball. As a softball player, she still peppers the Beacon record books.
She has 164 strikeouts, which is still good enough for number three on the all time list. She is tied for fourth all time with 17 career wins and the 205 innings pitched were at one time a program record. All of this was accomplished without playing a single game on campus.
Delaney George is very pleased that UMass Boston has remained committed to improving the athletic facilities and setting up the Beacons for success, but she’s not the least bit jealous of today’s athletes, who have modern facilities to compete in.
“I think you learn to make do at the time, you didn’t know what you didn’t have. [Improving the Clark Center] is great for the teams: it will only make them stronger.”
After a successful athletic career, Delaney George made sure to continue her involvement in athletics by coaching and cheering on her four daughters as they competed in softball, basketball, volleyball, and track. She is a staunch advocate for athletic involvement in young people and she made sure that her family would have similar experiences that she had when she was young.
“I think that [sports] just hone those skills in communication and leadership, and being able to get along.” Delaney George added, “I really think that if everybody has a chance to play a sport it helps, even in business when they get older.”
“You have to rely on people to get the job done. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and we have to pull from them, and I think you really hone those skills when you play.”
For someone who graduated more than 30 years ago, it was thrilling for Delaney George to get the nod for the Hall of Fame, especially as a member of the 50th Anniversary Class. The two-sport star had some very heartfelt well-wishes for UMass Boston as it celebrates its 50th birthday.
“I wish them success for the next 50 years. When I went, and still now, it was an affordable, current education. It kept education in reach for people and I want it to stay that way so that people can afford it.”
For more info on Delaney George, go to www.beaconsathletics.com
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is on October 9.