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JOE FLACCO
Born in Audubon, New Jersey, Joe Flacco arrived at the University of Delaware in 2004 and in 2006 became Quarterback for UD. That year Delaware struggled to a 5--6 record, missing the playoffs. But by 2007 Flacco led his team to an 8--3 regular season record. Considered to be one of college football's most accurate passers, Flacco led the Blue Hens to the 2007 D1-AA National Championship game, falling short to Appalachian State Mountaineers 49--21 (LoRe, 2007).
Drafted into the NFL in 2008, Flacco's impact can be felt throughout the UD campus, local communities, and state. He is an active UD Alum giving back to UD and the community that got him started.
Headlines from the local press:
2007--Frenzied fans flock to championship game
It was a capacity crowd, loud and proud, and the fans were treated to performances by the UD cheerleaders, the tuba section of the UD Marching Band and the ever-popular mascot YoUDee. For their part, fans made signs and geared themselves up with paint, wigs, tattoos, buttons, pompoms and other paraphernalia to make it clear that they were backing the Blue Hens (UD Messenger, 2007).
2007--A student account of the Chattanooga bus trip
I stepped onto the bus at approximately 8:55 p.m. and I realized I was in for an incredible experience. I packed light--only one change of clothes for bad weather--and my iPod for the long drive (Anderson, 2007).
2009--Ex-UD quarterback Flacco turns many Delaware Eagles fans toward Ravens
NFL rookie standout captures hearts, minds of people throughout state.
"The Ravens have definitely moved up Interstate 95,' observed Bill Nutting of Wilmington, noting the increase attention Flacco's and the Ravens' success has spawned in Delaware. For evidence, Nutting need only look at his son, 14 yr old Jack. Once an avid Eagle fan, Saint Elizabeth 8th grader, now proudly roots for the Ravens while sporting a no.5 Joe Flacco jersey (Tresolini, 2009).
2009--Flacco Returns to Newark
Crowds started gathering at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning to get tickets to the event. The first 250 fans received a voucher that guaranteed them a place in line for the 5:00 p.m. start (Corrigan, 2009).
Source of information:
Anderson, Brian. "A Student Account of the Chattanooga Bus Trip." 12 December 2007. UDReview.http://media.www.udreview.com/media/storage/paper781/news/2007/12/12/Sports/A.Student.Account.Of.The.Chattanooga.Bus.Trip-3144418.shtml
Corrigan, Mark. "Flacco Return to Newark." 23 April 2009. Newark Post. http://www.newarkpostonline.com/articles/2009/04/23/news/doc49f0ea288c04f694547965.txt
"Frenzied fans flock to championship game." Volume 16, Number 1 2008. UD Messenger. http://www.udel.edu/PR/Messenger/07/01/Sfrenzied.html
LoRe, Michael. "Hens headed to National Championship game." 4 December 2007. The Review http://media.www.udreview.com/media/storage/paper781/news/2007/12/04/Sports/Hens-Headed.To.National.Championship.Game-3139828.shtml
Tresolini, Kevin. "Ex-UD quarterback Flacco turns many Delaware Eagles fans toward Ravens," Wilmington News Journal, 10 January 2008, A1.
Links to additional information:
Joe Flacco, 2007 Highlight Reel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxW_RdJjtos
Joe Flacco, NFL Player Profile NFL.com http://www.nfl.com/players/joeflacco/profile?id=FLA009602
