Chapter 68.1:

 

DELAWARE DONNE

 

She’s like really, really good at basketball. And she has “Del” in her name. And she lead UD to the farthest they’ve ever gotten in the NCAA tournament. And she was selected second in the 2013 WNBA Draft. And here’s a highlight reel…

 

 

DeLEGEND

 

“Elena Delle Donne was already a Delaware legend in 2003 when I was a sophomore at UD coaching 3rd graders at the YMCA on Kirkwood. My best player went to Ursuline Academy and she would tell me stories about EDD who was in 8th grade at the time. My first time seeing her play was at the Bob where I worked from 2002-2006 and in the 2003 high school championship. I knew she was something special.

 

My favorite memory as a student was watching her lead her team to a State Title in 2006 over St. E's as a sophomore scoring 50 to St. E's 51.  Draining 3 after 3 and making blocks look easy. She then returned to play volleyball and made that look effortless as well.

 

After I graduated I followed a bit of her high school career, but once I heard she was transferring to Delaware I kept a close eye to see if and when she would return to the basketball court. December 11th, 2009 she returned to the Bob to face Navy, and when I traveled down from Philly I was in awe of the packed parking lot. It almost felt like a football game.

 

I walked up to the ticket booth to buy a ticket and had to wait in line for 15 minutes. Her aunt was behind me in line, so we chatted a bit and she said, 'Elena is a shy girl so we knew it'd be tough on her but we know this is where she belongs.'

 

I walked inside and saw my old boss. He was overwhelmed and told me they had to pull out the bleachers in sections 5-10 which never happened for a Women's game. The legend returned and everyone wanted to see that smooth jump shot. For four years I saw her drain shot after shot. She scored 54 against JMU her freshman year.

 

The greatest reward was being a season ticket holder her senior season, and getting front row tickets for the NCAA tournament. The roar of the crowd at the end of the UNC comeback win was electric. I've been to a lot of sporting events, but that was the loudest crowd I have ever heard and it was a perfect ending as she walked off the court by herself arms raised in the air.  What a great send off that was for the legend that is Elena Delle Donne.”

 

-Aileen B, UD '06

 

 

 

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