By Andy Walter

DOVER — Ricky McCall knew how much money was supposed to be in his team’s bank account.

So the Delaware State women’s golf coach was pretty shocked when he checked the total in March and saw it was a lot higher than he expected.

“I was like, ‘Wait a minute,’” McCall remembered. “That’s $100,000 too much.”

But the total was correct. DSU was one of five HCBUs to receive a $100,000 donation from the PGA Tour.

McCall credited DelState athletic director Dr. D. Scott Gines, who is retiring at the end of the month, for doing the legwork that led to the Hornets receiving the donation.

“He made it happen,” said McCall. “It wasn’t random. They didn’t just pick five random HBCU women’s programs. It was his hard work that made it come to fruition.”

The school hasn’t decided exactly what the donation will go towards yet. McCall said it might help with scholarships, the team van or the school’s golf room.

But McCall also wants to use some of the money for youth golf teaching equipment that he plans to donate to local schools through First Tee Delaware.

“As part of that, we’re going to work out a deal where my student-athletes can go teach it once a month in schools,” said McCall, the former Wild Quail Country Club pro. “So they can have some volunteerism and give back to the community and introduce golf to juniors that might not otherwise be exposed to it.”

A former Dover High standout, McCall is finishing up his second season as DSU’s coach. The Hornets are playing their final tournament of the spring this weekend at the Minority Championship at Port St. Lucie, Fla.

McCall, who had previously helped his dad, Rick, coach the men’s program at Wesley College, said he wanted to try to make a difference when he took the DelState job.

“I loved it at Wild Quail,” said McCall, who was at the Wyoming golf course for 16 years. “But my Dad had coached for 20 years. I always liked that aspect of it. And I loved having that Junior Golf Academy.

“It kind of grew into my passion for coaching.”

McCall is trying to make a name for the NCAA Division I program, which has been around since 2012. This year, the Hornets won the Navy Spring Invitational.

Like many college programs, DelState relies heavily on international players. The Hornets have three players from Thailand and two from Canada on their 10-player roster.

DSU also has two in-state players, including Caesar Rodney High grad Alexis Herrmann.

“Just presenting opportunities for student-athletes and helping them become better people as they graduate,” McCall said about his goals for the program. “Then there’s also that component of wanting to win and do well as a team. Getting a victory this past spring in a tournament was quite a boost. But the No. 1 thing is building a culture that we can all be proud of.”

Wesley honors ‘Hall’ class

Wesley College recently honored its final inductees into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

That group included men’s basketball player Eric Anderson Sr. (’82), softball/volleyball player Ashlyn Booth (‘16), women’s lacrosse player Jillian (Tracy) Lontz (’08), field hockey/women’s lacrosse player Sheree (Pleasanton) Riendeau (‘12), a Smyrna High grad, men’s soccer player Chris Wright (‘03) and the 2004 men’s soccer team.

“We are very proud of all of the inductees for their contributions as student-athletes, and proud of their accomplishments,” said Wesley athletic director Tracey Short.

Deja vu all over again

When Delaware State softball player Nicolette Barranger recently collected her 100th collegiate hit, there was a certain feeling of deja vu about the accomplishment.

The senior had also gotten 100 hits at Haddonfield (N.J.) High.

Both times Barranger’s coach was Jeff Franquet, now in his second season as the Hornets’ head coach. In between, Barranger also played at Hartford.

Franquet convinced her to use her final season of athletic eligibility at DelState.

“I so much enjoyed playing for Coach Franquet in high school,” Barranger said in a DSU press release. “He has an awesome approach to the game and how he relates to his players. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play for him at Delaware State. The experience here with the coaching staff and my teammates has reminded me how much I love the game.”

Barranger is second on the team with a .308 batting average in 30 starts.

“I can remember telling Nicolette the first time I saw her play that she was a legitimate Division I player with endless amounts of talent,” Franquet said. “I am so proud of Nicolette and her family.”

In the fall, Barranger plans to continue her education at the Creighton School of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb.

Notes

Cape Henlopen High grad Zack Gelof has a team-leading 27 RBI and 10 doubles for the Virginia baseball team. He’s also tied for the team lead with five homers. ... Delaware Tech softball coach Guy Wilkins recently picked up his 100th win with the Roadrunners. “When you have good players around you, a lot of good things happen,” said the former DSU baseball player and Sussex Central High assistant coach. ... The Delaware State women’s lacrosse team (1-9) ended its season with two games remaining due to “coronavirus health and safety precautions.” ... The DelState baseball squad hosts Coppin State this weekend looking to clinch a spot in the MEAC Tournament. The Hornets lead the league with a .281 batting average. ... DSU volleyball signee Karen Cordero, who played this season for Western Nebraska Community College, was named a NJCAA first-team All-American. ... Milford High grad Nikki Parsley coached the Liberty field hockey team to a 13-3 record this spring. The Flames are 36-17 over the past three seasons.