Sunday’s Super Bowl will be a special one for First State football fans, especially those who support the University of Delaware.
Quarterback Joe Flacco, a UD alum, leads the Baltimore Ravens as they face the San Francisco 49ers. But Flacco’s appearance on pro football’s biggest stage may be more than just a point of pride for Blue Hen nation.
WDDE’s Tom Byrne explains what other ways the university may benefit from Flacco's success
It’s been six years since Flacco was slinging touchdown passes at Delaware Stadium. But ask around Newark and most will tell you the quarterback is still UD’s Joe Flacco. UD graduate student Andrew Smith points to Flacco's continued presence on and around campus
"Definitely. You see his jerseys with the number 5 all around town," said Smith.
WDDE goes to UD's campus to gauge public opinion on Joe Flacco.
WDDE goes to UD's campus to gauge public opinion on Joe Flacco.
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Even undergrad students like senior Michelle Barineau, who arrived in Newark after Flacco left, claim the QB for UD.
"100 percent. I wasn’t actually here when he played, but I still have his jersey and his picture is on our stadium. Yeah, he’s definitely a Blue hen for life," said Barineau.
You even find some debate whether Flacco’s star is big enough to supplant that other famous UD “Joe” - Vice President Joe Biden. UD senior Sarah McLoughlin admits she’s on the fence about that question.
“I’m pretty sure Joe Biden would be the most important, but if you walk in the 5 and dime there’s still Flacco stuff everywhere," said McLoughlin. "So... both?”
[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/flacco-features.mp3|titles=Listen to WDDE News Director Tom Byrne's feature on the impact of Joe Flacco's Super Bowl appearance at UD.]
For University of Delaware officials, both is the right answer. For instance, well-known alums, be they Biden or Flacco, can attract students, according to Amy Foley, Senior Associate Director for Undergraduate Admissions, creating a positive impression, especially with prospective applicants outside the region.
And that’s especially true at this time of year when schools are blitzing high school sophomores and juniors in what's known as "search season" in the admissions game.
"They’re receiving emails, and brochures and letters from hundreds of institutions around the country. And so, when you have the ability to insert the name of a major alum who has achieved really the pinnacle in his or her career that does create a bigger buzz,” said Foley.
But here’s where Flacco may have on edge on Biden. Flacco's success is non-partisan, unlike Biden's.
"There are people around the county that did not vote Democrat and they may not be thrilled with the fact that he’s University of Delaware alum. You have to be willing to get feedback from people from time to time who say “I wouldn’t brag about that’,” Foley observed.
And Flacco’s success offers another benefit. It's a boon for UD athletics, specifically the football program.
Walk in to the team offices at the Bob Carpenter Center and the first thing you see is a picture – blown up wall-size – of Flacco the day he was drafted by the Ravens.
UD Asst. Football Coach Brian Ginn recalls Joe Flacco's career at UD.
UD Asst. Football Coach Brian Ginn recalls Joe Flacco's career at UD.
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Assistant coach Brian Ginn has been on the Hens’ staff for 13 years,including the years Flacco played in Newark. He says Flacco’s NFL pedigree makes a difference in recruiting the next generation of UD players.
"As soon as they see Delaware or hear Delaware they can now put a face with Delaware. A couple of years ago, after he’d been selected in the first round, as soon as Delaware came up everybody said ‘Joe Flacco’ right away. It gives you instant credibility,” said Ginn.
And Ginn admits with Flacco a central player on Super Sunday, he’s amplifying that effect.
"He’s playing to put himself as a Super Bowl Champion and that’s obviously going to help [his career] and helps us out a little bit too," said Ginn.
So, win or lose Sunday, Joe Flacco is once again scoring points for his alma mater. He and Ravens teammate Gino Gradkowski, another UD alum, are the fourth and fifth Blue Hens to play in a Super Bowl. They hope to be the first to wind up on the winning side with a Baltimore victory.
