Vincent "Winnie" Mayer, a baseball and football player at the university in the '30s, passed away earlier this month. Mayer was a prominent fixture around Newark, especially at sporting events on campus.
Newark Mayor Vance A. Funk III said the loss of Mayer, 98, is difficult for the community because of his strong love for Newark and its events.
"He meant a lot to the community because he was the community," Funk said. "He would help at every event in Newark. He was just a great person to know. He seemed to care about everyone."
Edgar Johnson, athletic director at the university, said Mayer's real passion in life was Blue Hen sports. He loved to go to games and watch every variety of athletics.
"Every time you turned around at a football game, baseball game or concert, Winnie was there," Johnson said. "You felt you were the most important thing in his life."
Mayer was known for supporting all Delaware teams through successful and unsuccessful seasons, he said. Mayer would reassure coaches that students were playing the best they could.
He was permanent fixture at baseball games where he would sit in the same seat for every game to cheer for the team, Johnson said.
Bill Murray, a lifelong friend, said Mayer was a star football and baseball player when he met him.
Murray said Mayer was always faithful to Delaware athletics. There was never a season when he did not support the teams because of his devotion to university sports.
"It was as strong as you can imagine," he said. "He went through good years and bad years with the same university. He loved sports of all kinds."
Johnson said he was present when Mayer was inducted into the university athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming 1997. During the '30s, the football team was successful and Mayer was a prominent talent within the athletic department.
Mayer was also helpful in putting together the ceremony for the Hall of Fame, Johnson said. Since there was not always documentation from earlier in the century, Mayer would work with staff to piece together whatever information he could share.
"He was a link to the past, history and tradition," Johnson said. "A lot of old-timers came through and were helpful on information for the hall of fame. He was a very positive supporter of the program."
Harold "Tubby" Raymond, who retired as football coach after the 2001 season, said part of Mayer's devotion to sports was displayed when he was an athlete on the team.
"He played football at Newark High School," Raymond said. "Then he came to University of Delaware and didn't think he was good enough to play. So, he watched practices and games and saw he was very good."
He said Mayer did not always agree with how the game was played in modern times, but he continued to support the program with words of encouragement.
Funk said in addition to being a star athlete, Mayer was known for catching a home invader when he was 95 years old.
He said the thief had been breaking into the homes of elderly people and had been difficult to catch. When he broke into Mayer's home by climbing through the bedroom window, Mayer beat him with a cane, causing him to flee.
Newark officials recognized his efforts to catch the robber, Funk said.
Murray said family was an important factor in Mayer's life. The Mayer family has lived in Newark for more than a century. They were also present at Mayer's induction into the Hall of Fame.
Johnson said the athletic program plans to honor Mayer by placing a memorial banner in the athletic complex.
Funk said Mayer will always be remembered for his devotion to sports, the community and his always positive attitude.
"He was just a prince of a man," he said.
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