Former Skyline student Chris Delaney is one of nine people to be inducted this year by the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame for his athletic performance during his high school years.
Delaney, who attended high school at George Washington High School in San Francisco from 1993-97, is being honored for the four years he played with their football and baseball teams.
Each year, the SFPHF publicly honors athletes, coaches, officials, media and others who exemplified the highest standards in athletic skill, sportsmanship, ethical behavior, moral character and leadership while competing for their respective high school teams.
Inductees are recognized solely for their high school achievements and must have graduated at least five years before becoming eligible for consideration, SFPHF President Marc Christensen said.
SFPHF is part of the Academic Athletic Association, a group that has existed since the late 1800s. Formally known as the San Francisco Athletics League, it is comprised of 12 San Francisco Unified School District public high schools, including George Washington High school.
Don Collins, athletic commissioner of the AAA, remembers Delaney as “one heck of an athlete. When I go through my files for All City, he pops up for all four years. That doesn’t happen. You got to be outstanding from day one your freshman year, and Chris was.” Speaking about all 2011 honorees, he said, ” This is a well- rounded, young group. It’s great and unusual that people are recognizing these students early on. I’m very proud.”
Skyline Baseball Coach Dino Nomicos had the pleasure of having Delaney play for him his first year with Skyline. Delaney, who after high school went to play baseball for College of San Mateo for a year prior to attending Skyline in 2000, played for Skyline before playing on a scholarship for two years at San Francisco State University.
Nomicos, who is good friends today with Delaney, recalls the athlete as ” a good player, hard-nose kid. He’s one of the better players who played in the city.”
Today, Delaney is a teacher and moderator at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. He is enrolled in the University of San Francisco doctoral counseling program and is an intern at San Francisco’s Lincoln High School. He currently resides in San Bruno with his wife Kira and two children, SFPHF Committee Member Sam Goldman said.
Delaney will be honored at the 29th annual SFPHF induction ceremonies on Saturday, May 21, 2011.
The program will be held at the Spanish Cultural Center-Patio Español Restaurant, 2850 Alemany Blvd., San Francisco, CA. The reception begins at 6 p.m., and the banquet awards presentations will be held at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $45 per person. For reservations and tickets, contact Al Vidal (415) 826-3572. Checks should be made out to the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame.
