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Check out the changes to our meeting dates.  JMU was changed to Wed 9/28.  We also updated the times for all games. 

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Bernie Dworsky advised the club he has openings available on all away game bus trips.  His email is listed on the Board of Directors tab. 

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The cost of our weekly lunches has changed.  Members will continue to pay $20 while a non-member will pay $25.

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The Blue Hen Touchdown Club will be sponsoring a table at the Newark Community Day Event.  The date is Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  We look forward to seeing you.

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Mark your calendars.  Our year end banquet has been scheduled for January 28 at the Executive Banquet and Conference Center.  Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

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University of Delaware quarterback Pat Devlin has received yet another impressive pre-season honor as the senior was selected to the Watch List for the 2010 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. 
 
The honor is bestowed annually to the top senior quarterback in the nation by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Foundation and acknowledges performance on the field, character, citizenship, and integrity.
 
Among the past winners are Peyton Manning of Tennessee, Eli Manning of Mississippi, Carson Palmer of USC, Matt Leinert of USC, Brady Quinn of Notre Dame, and Matt Ryan of Boston College. Colt McCoy of Texas won last year’s award. The award is presented following the season and is selected by members of the foundation. 
 
Devlin, a native of Downingtown, Pa. (Downingtown East High School), was the only NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision player named to the watch list. He is joined by Austen Arnaud of Iowa State, Ben Chapell of Indiana, Ryan Colburn of Fresno State, Andy Dalton of TCU, Dwight Dasher of Middle Tennessee, Ricky Dobbs of Navy, Nathan Enderle of Idaho, Zach Frazer of Connecticut, Jerrod Johnson of Texas A&M, Colin Kaepernick of Nevada, Case Keenum of Houston, Jake Locker of Washington, Greg McElroy of Alabama, Josh Nesbitt of Georgia Tech, Christian Ponder of Florida State, Kevin Riley of California, Trey Revell of Louisiana-Monroe, Ricky Stanzi of Iowa, Tyrod Taylor of Virginia Tech, Scott Tolzien of Wisconsin, and T.J. Yates of North Carolina. 
 
Last week, Devlin was one of 20 players selected to the pre-season Walter Payton Award Watch List. The Payton Award honors the top player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Devlin finished 17th in the voting for the Payton Award as a junior in 2009. 
 
Devlin, who is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks available in the 2011 NFL Draft, started all 11 games and completed 220 of 344 passes (64 percent) for 2,664 yards and 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions a year ago, his first with the Blue Hens after transfering from Penn State. 
 
His 242.2 passing yards per game led CAA Football and ranked No. 17 nationally in the FCS. In a season-ending loss to FCS champion Villanova, Devlin enjoyed his finest statistical performance, completing a school record 42 passes for 407 yards, which ranks sixth for a single-game performance in Delaware history. He will serve as a team co-captain this fall. 
 
Delaware’s annual Media Day will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 3:30 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. The event is free and also open to the public. 

The TD Club wishs to congratulate Pat Devlin.

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A note from our Football Historian

Harold Heitmann

History of the Touchdown Club

Back in 1946 when Blue Hen coach Bill Murray had his team on a winning streak that would ultimately reach 30 games without a loss, there was no booster organization.  It was that year that the late George Sargisson of R.P.&S decided the university needed a touchdown club to support the team. 

George began to contact fans and business owners and the club was formed in 1946.  Luncheons were held at the Old Hub Tea Room in Wilmington.  As membership grew, club leaders, Clem Hallam and Al Roberson invited the Delaware senior football players to the first banquet as guests.  This tradition has continued ever since.

In 1953, the most valuable senior player award was first presented.  With the start of platoon football, the award was expanded to recognize both offensive and defensive players. 

The Taylor Memorial Trophy was moved from the university athletic banquet to the Touchdown Club banquet in 1954.

1972 started the awarding of the outstanding offensive lineman at the banquet and in 1973 the unsung hero aware began.  Harold Heitmann started the most valuable player award for each game in 1982 and the Newark Elks Lodge scholar athlete began in 1984.  The Vincent "Winnie" Mayer outstanding senior end award was established in 1983. 

Since 1946, Touchdown club members have witnessed many football thrills.  During this same time period, the members have volunteered many hours to promote Delaware football and increase interest in the game itself.