Elbert Chance

Elbert Chance is a native Delawarean and a graduate of the University of Delaware. Immediately following his graduation in 1952, he joined the University’s administration staff as Assistant Director of Public Relations and Sports Information Director. In 1953 he became public address announcer for Delaware Stadium.

Later, while Director of Alumni Relations, he prepared sports features for The University News and The Blue Hen Messenger and was a frequent contributor to the football program, The Blue Hen Gridder. The Historical Society of Delaware published his essay, “Fast Horses and Sporting Blood”, in its quarterly journal, Delaware History, in 1964 and, in 1965 he was co-author with Athletic Director David M. Nelson of “Athletics and Arts-Compatible” for American Youth Performs. In 1971 he wrote A History of the Newark Country Club for the Club’s 50th anniversary. His stories about the legitimate theatre, motion pictures, and athletics have appeared in Delaware History, Coach and Athlete, and Dateline Delaware. The Blue Rocks Past and Present, a history of Wilmington’s minor-league baseball teams, 1940-1952 and 1993-2000 was published in 2000.

Chance has been a contributing columnist for both the Wilmington News Journal and The Newark Post. He was elected to membership in the University of Delaware Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001.