The Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame Welcomes 12 New Members in 2026 Class

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The Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame (DAASHOF) will induct the 12 new members at its 27th annual banquet on Saturday, April 18, in Dover.

The Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame will welcome its 2026 class at the organization’s annual banquet scheduled this evening at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover. The 12 person class is headlined by former NBA player Dexter Boney and former Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Executive Director, Donna Polk.

Here’s a quick look at all 12 members being inducted this year:

Donna J. Polk

Polk was a three sport athlete at Sussex Central High School, competing in field hockey, softball and basketball. Polk played softball and basketball for Columbia Union College, recording over 1,000 points in her collegiate basketball career. Polk turned to coaching and administrative work after her playing career, serving in both roles at Bowie State University and Columbia Union College. Polk served as the DIAA’s Executive Director from 2020 to 2023 becoming the first female and first African-American executive director in the organization’s history.   

Dexter L. Boney

Boney starred on the court for Brandywine High School, earning First Team All-State honors in three of his seasons. Boney finished his high school career with 2,358 points, setting the all-time state scoring record that stood until 2006. Boney went on to play for the University of Nevada Las Vegas before turning pro. Boney played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association, overseas and in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns for eight games. 

Marvin Bell

Bell was a high school basketball star for P.S. DuPont High School and helped lead the school to the championship game in 1971. Bell averaged over 20 points per game that season and was selected to the All-State First Team. He was the school’s last First Team All-State selection. Bell also ran cross country for P.S. DuPont High School and was a part of the division two state championship team in 1971.

William E. Billings

Billings was a member of the undefeated 1972 University of Delaware football that won the second of back-to-back small college national championships. Billings coached at multiple colleges and Delaware high schools after playing. During his time at Delaware State University, he coached 22 offensive players to First Team All-MEAC honors including 49ers wide receiver John Taylor. 

Karen Burroughs

Burroughs competed as a high school softball player for Caesar Rodney high school before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. In her time with the Marine Corps, Burroughs competed in intramural softball winning All Marine Player of the Year for her achievements. Burroughs later coached softball and volleyball while serving as an instructor in the Marine Corps. 

John I. Ingram

Ingram was a four sport athlete at Georgetown High School competing in football, baseball, basketball and track and field. Ingram was selected to compete in the 1969 Blue & Gold All-Star game and went on to play two years of collegiate sports at Delaware State University. 

Michael Ingram

Michael Ingram was a track and field athlete at Milford High School. During his high school career, Ingram set a new pentathlon record at Tower Hill High School and earned a second place finish in the Junior Olympic Decathlon. Ingram translated that success into a career at the University of Delaware where he was named MVP of the track and field team as a freshman. Ingram finished his Blue Hen career as a team captain and helped the team win a conference championship. 

Robin Johnson

Johnson played basketball for P.S. DuPont High School leading the state in scoring in the first two seasons girls basketball points were tracked by local publications. Johnson averaged more than 20 points per game in those two seasons and earned third team All-State honors for the 1975-1976 season from a Philadelphia Inquirer poll. Johnson later earned a tryout for the WNBA’s New York Liberty in 1996.  

James Pat Thornton

Thornton played seven different positions at Delaware State College over a collegiate football career that spanned from 1977 to 1981. Thornton started his career as a walk-on, but earned a full scholarship. In Thornton’s final season, he made 19 tackles in one game, accumulated 11 sacks and recovered five fumbles. Thornton tried out for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals and Canadian Football Leagues’ Toronto Argonauts after his collegiate career. Thornton also played one season of collegiate baseball in 1978. 

Arthur J. Turner

Turner competed in track and field at Wilmington High School. In his first indoor season, Turner won the 60-yard dash and became a state champion in the event. Turner was crucial to Wilmington High School’s gold medal finish in the 1968 Penn Relays. Turner was the anchor leg in that race, finishing his part in just over 47 seconds. Turner finished that season with multiple county championship wins and earned a scholarship to Livingstone College.  

Garcia Walker

Walker competed for Milford High School and lettered in football, basketball and track and field. Track and field is where Walker’s impact was truly felt. Walker won the 1977 state championship in the 110-meter and 300-meter intermediate hurdles. In 1975, Walker won at the Penn Relays as a member of the mile relay team. Walker ran three years of collegiate track at Salisbury State and Delaware State, before serving ten years in the Air Force. Walker entered the education field after his service and coached in multiple capacities.  

Bradford J. Waples

Waples competed in track and field for Cape Henlopen, winning the quarter mile state championship in 1971. Waples also ran in the mile relay for that Cape team, helping the program win the state championship that season. The next season Waples ran in every event but the quarter mile helping the team win a second consecutive championship. His high school career earned him a scholarship to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore where he competed in multiple track events.   

To learn more about each inductee click here.