Joe Delaney came to Holy Cross from LaSalle Academy in Providence, R.I., where he played football, baseball and basketball. He captained the basketball team for two seasons and was an All-State selection in football and basketball.
At Holy Cross, Delaney became an outstanding tackle, making the All-East first team and the New York Sun All-America first team. He then joined Bill Osmanski as the first two Crusaders to play in the East-West Shrine Game in 1939.
One of Delaney’s finest games came against Carnegie Tech in 1938, when he made nine straight tackles in the first three series of plays run by Tech, and then blocked a punt on the next play.
As a baseball pitcher, he posted a 7-1 record as a senior in 1939. His one loss was to Boston College in the 10th inning of his final collegiate game.
Delaney later went into coaching, spending 17 years at St. John’s High School in Worcester, Rogers High School in Newport, R.I., and Hope High School in Providence, R.I. He also officiated football and basketball for 25 years and was the president of the Providence basketball officials.
