Johnson & Wales University Providence

One of Rhode Island’s veritable athletic legends and one of the states top educational leaders Joe Delaney was one of the greatest friends of Johnson and Wales University. Named associate director of admissions in 1974, Delaney served the administration in a myriad of ways, and received an honorary doctorate in 1983. The venerable Harborside gymnasium - the birthplace of JWU’s NCAA athletics program - bears his name. Delaney’s lifelong accomplishments as an athlete and educator are astounding. A three-sport Rhode Island All-Stater, he was a football All-American at Holy Cross, was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played in the National Football League for the old Providence Steamrollers in 1939 and 1940. After his playing career ended, he was one of Rhode Island’s most prominent teacher and coaches before coming to Johnson and Wales.