UD staff, alums score in Senior Olympics

Senior Olympics gold medalists (from left) Sue McGrath-Powell, Joyce Perry and Kate Pohlig. Other members of the Delaware Ya-Ya’s team are Ann Igo-Rizzo, Maryellen Widdoes and Linda Davis.

4:10 p.m., Nov. 23, 2004--The individual and team success of UD alumni and current and former employees at the Delaware Senior Olympics, held Sept. 25 in Dover, proves that the Blue Hen competitive spirit continues to thrive long after commencement and retirement.

In the women’s basketball competition, the Delaware Ya-Ya’s, comprised of members Joyce Perry, former UD women’s head basketball coach, Kate Pohlig, associate director of intercollegiate athletics, Susan McGrath-Powell, head coach of women’s track and field and cross country, Ann Igo-Rizzo, Maryellen Widdoes and Linda Davis, scored by taking home the gold in their competitive bracket. Pohlig also won the silver medal in individual shooting.

For the men, John Bishop’s team took home a silver medal for its competitive bracket, while Bishop, associate vice president, Center for Counseling and Student Development, also netted a silver medal for individual shooting. William “Bill” Wagamon ’62, and UD basketball standout from 1958-62, also competed.

Perry, ’73, ’79M, an outstanding athlete in the early years of UD women’s athletics, and later one of its most successful coaches, played a major role in UD athletics for more than 25 years. From 1978-96, she served as UD women’s head basketball coach, compiling a career coaching record of 266-212, with six consecutive winning seasons from 1987-93. Recently voted into the UD Athletics Hall of Fame, Perry also led Delaware to three 20-win campaigns and three straight East Coast Conference titles in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

“We have been playing together as the Ya-Ya’s for just over three years,” Perry said. “We have only lost one game to a women’s team since we started playing, and that was to the San Diego Stars, who won the gold at the National Senior Olympics in 2001 and 2003.”

For Perry, who plays guard, the pacing of the three-on-three senior games has its advantages at both the personal and team level.

“I enjoy playing three-on-three more than five-on-five, because it is fast-paced and you touch the ball on almost every possession,” Perry said. “The ball also must be put back in play within five seconds of a score. With all this in mind, good fundamentals and teamwork are more important than having players with skills at a certain position, because you usually end up playing all positions.”

Pohlig earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and master’s degree in athletic administration, both from West Chester University.

She played four years for the nationally ranked West Chester basketball team, earning an Olympic tryout in 1975, and also was a standout softball player. Before coming to Delaware, Pohlig worked in the athletic departments at LaSalle and West Chester universities.

“It’s a fast-paced game and tough, but it’s also fun,” Pohlig said. “To see all these people playing—still competitive and having fun—that’s just the greatest.”

McGrath-Powell earned her bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State College in 1976 and her master's from the University of Buffalo. She also is an assistant professor in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences at Delaware and a member of the NCAA Track and Field Rules Committee.

John Bishop, associate vice president, Center for Counseling and Student Development, won a silver medal for individual shooting.

Since becoming cross country head coach in 1982, her teams have compiled an 81-29 record. Under McGrath-Powell’s leadership, the outdoor and indoor women’s track teams are 29-11 and 129-50, respectively.

“It was a lot of fun, and the people playing were great,” McGrath-Powell said. “The level of competition varies from game to game, but the intensity of play is always there. It was an all-around good experience.”

Ann Igo-Rizzo, who played women’s basketball at UD from 1971-74, holds several records, including points in a single game, 29 (seventh); career points, 592 (33rd); and average points per game in a single season, 14.8 (tied for third with Cindy Johnson).

Senior Olympics men’s competition

Wagamon, who played for UD from 1958-62, became a member of UD men’s basketball 20/20 (20 points/20 rebounds) club on Jan. 3, 1962, when he scored 21 points while pulling down 25 rebounds against Drexel. With 549 career boards, Wagamon is 21st among Blue Hen rebounding leaders.

Bishop, who began his career at UD in 1969 as an assistant professor of education, also has served as consulting psychologist, associate director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development, director of the Counseling and Career Services and professor in the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy.

A former college basketball player and longtime fan of Fightin’ Blue Hen hoops, Bishop was named as an honorary assistant coach during a Feb. 17, 2001, men’s game against Towson at the Bob Carpenter Center.

“This is my second season of playing in the Senior Olympics and in a three-on-three league in Wilmington,” Bishop said.
“During this year’s senior games in Dover, we played three half-court, 40-minute games, winning two and losing one.”

Bishop said he enjoys the opportunity to switch positions while extending his playing career under the three-on-three format used in senior games competition.

“Playing in Senior Olympics allows me to continuing playing basketball, a game I love,” Bishop said. “It’s all done in a spirit of good sportsmanship. I would recommend any of the events in Senior Olympics to individuals who enjoy participating and competing in various sports.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Duane Perry and Jon Cox

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