Collection Spotlight: DSC Sports Photographs, 1945-1965

Hello friends! I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer.  Classes resumed this week, and August is quickly passing. It’s been a while since I featured a collection so I thought I’d shine the spotlight on the Delaware State College Sports Photograph collection, an acquisition from January 2017.

This collection is comprised of black and white sports photographs from the era of Bennie J. “Catfish” George.  Mr. George was an athletic coach and physical education teacher at Delaware State College starting in the 1950’s and continuing well into the 1960’s. Mr. George held a bachelors degree from DSC (1947), and during his time as a student he was captain of both the football and basketball teams.  Due to his quick, "slippery" moves on the football field, he ultimately earned the Catfish moniker.  Two years after graduation, Mr. George's athletic performance earned him an appointment as the assistant football and basketball coach, and head baseball coach.  Over his men's basketball coaching career, he attained a record of 360 wins and 125 defeats with only two losing seasons in a 30-year period. Mr. George was named coach of the year for baseball (1954), football (1956), and basketball (1966) in the CIAA conference.

Given the significance and formidablity of Bennie George's career, it was therefore thrilling to receive a collection of men’s basketball, baseball, football, and fencing photographs dated between 1945 and 1965. This accession additionally fills the sizable gap in the Office of Public Relations photographs which are largely from 1960 and later.

As always, I invite you to visit the archives to view this and other collections. Give me a call at 302-857-6130 to set up an appointment. I hope to see you soon! 

Welcome back students!

It's a big week from Delaware State University! The faculty and staff are looking forward to welcoming the incoming freshman starting tomorrow and the upperclassman later this weekend.  Campus will be buzzing as students either make new friends or get reacquainted with their classmates.

Over the next few days they will be settling into their residence halls, and some of them will have the pleasure of being the first-ever residents of our newest hall (word around town is that it will be called Tubman-Laws, but we'll found out during a dedication ceremony later this semester). 

For those of you will be embarking on a shopping excursion with your roomate or suitemates, I thought you would enjoy some inspiration from these archival photographs.

1) Chic Curtains: These circa 1990s Medgar Evers residents must have had some help from their moms or girlfriends. Either way, I'm diggin' the matching bedspreads and curtains.

2) Statement furniture: When confronted with bland white walls and standardized furniture, nothing brightens up a college dorm like a comfortable chair. It makes those long study nights a little more bearable. Houseplants are also a must. 

3) Pictures of Home: No room would be complete without a picture of mom. It's nice to have a reminder of those who love you and who are supporting you in your journey. Don't forget to say thank you.

3)Homey Bedspreads: Okay so this one isn't actually a dorm room. It's the home economics practice house, but all the same, it's something to aspire to.  A bedspread is one of the most personal statements a student can make. Don't forget to make it in the morning.

From the staff of the William C. Jason Library, I wish you the best of luck this semester!  Don't forget that we are always here to support your research and to help you become a better scholar. See you soon!