Mickey Vernon

Home of the Mickey Vernon Sports Collection. Dedicated to preserving the history and memory of Delaware County Sports Legends.

 

The Mickey Vernon Museum Collection has moved to the Radnor Township Municipal Building, located at 301 Iven Avenue in Radnor, PA. The collection is now on loan to the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum in the Municipal Building. Museum hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 4 pm. Saturday and Sunday tours are available by appointment. For more information, call 610-909-4919.

 

Our Archives

Take a look at what’s been happening at the museum recently.  We’ve recognized many of Delaware County’s sports legends. Be sure to bookmark the “This Month” page so you don’t miss out on our next exciting event.

Sports Rarities

 

100th anniversary of the Birth of Emlen Tunnell

March 29, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late great Emlen Tunnell.
Emlen Tunnell Statue by sculptor Jennifer Frudakis Petry, drops anchor at the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum located at 301 Iven Avenue Radnor, Pa. 19087

One of the primary missions of the Sports Legends of Delaware County is to celebrate accomplishments that connect generations of local fans, as we share our history with the global community in the world of sports.

Emlen Tunnell rose from humble beginnings to become the first African-American enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Recognized as one of the NFL’s top 100 players of all time, he was awarded the U. S. Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal for heroism in WWII, and is regarded as one of the greatest athletes ever from Delaware County.

March 29, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Emlen Tunnell. On October 15, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard  commissioned its 45th Sentinel-Class Fast Response Cutter (FRC),  named in honor of Delaware County Steward’s Mate 1st Class Emlen Lewis Tunnell, a Radnor High School 1942 graduate.  To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a military ship carries the name of a professional athlete. Jim Vankoski 610-909-4919  www.delcosportsmusum.org

Gertie Dunn sculpture’s comments

Gertie Dunn, from the artist’s perspective:

When Jim Vankoski, Phil Damiani, and Rich Pagano approached me to create a statue to honor Gertie Dunn, I knew it would be an exciting project.

To say Gertie Dunn is an inspiration is an understatement. She is one of the greatest female athletes of all time and was born and raised right here, in Delco, Pennsylvania. She played multiple sports, including field hockey, lacrosse, and golf, and was named Rookie of the Year in 1952 while playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Along with the entire league, she was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. They even made a film, A League of Their Own, about the extraordinary female baseball players of that time. In gest, Gertie shared with Jim that Madonna played her role in the movie.

Making a statue is often a group effort, and between the photos Jim supplied me with and the even harder-to-find photos Gertie’s niece, Valerie Dunn, shared with me, I had everything I needed to capture her amazing energy and grace as an athlete.

The pose for the statue is of Gertie playing shortstop in a vintage uniform from the era. She is touching second base with one foot and striding forward to throw the baseball after just catching it—all while holding the ball in proper shortstop form. She is staring ahead, poised to let go of the ball, while the breeze tosses her hair and skirt to one side. It was easy to imagine her at that moment. This type of commissioned sculpture is a pure joy for me to make. I found it immensely rewarding to create a statue that will help keep her memory alive.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Frudakis-Petry, sculptor

Phil Damiani Obituary

Philip W. Damiani, Jr.

May 16, 1950 – January 26, 2024

Philip W. Damiani Jr., a lifetime resident of Media, PA, passed away January 26, 2024 at the age of 73.  A local sports enthusiast, Phil was known for his contributions to preserving the legacy of successful athletes, coaches, and teams throughout Media and all of Delaware County.

Phil was a graduate of Penncrest High School, Class of 1968.  He continued his undergraduate studies at Villanova University and obtained his master’s degree from Bryn Mawr College. Phil retired as the Executive Director of Court Services of Delaware County. His career included many years as the director of the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center and as the director of Adult Probation and Parole.

Phil was passionate about local sports and was a great champion of Delaware County athletics. He had great success with Delco League Baseball in the 1970s as both a player and manager of the Media Bombers.  He was inducted into the Ring of Honor at Penncrest High School and was an integral member and driving force of the Media Old Timers (Media Area Sports Hall of Fame). He was a founding member of the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum and was instrumental in securing the placement of statues for local legends such as Emlen Tunnell, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Fredia Gibbs and Gertrude “Gertie” Dunn.

Phil did so much for so many people and never wanted anything in return. Donations in memory of Phil are being accepted via the website Paypal www.delcosportsmuseum.org or by mailing your tax-deductible check to the

Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum, 301 Iven Ave. Wayne, PA 19087.

 

“I like to see a (person) proud of the place in which (they live). I like to see (people) live so that (their) place will be proud of (them).” – Abraham Lincoln                       


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