By Kevin Eickman
One of four members of this year’s 12th Man Gridiron Club, which will hold its induction ceremony at the home opener on August 31, Hunter Emory is very humble about being named to this exclusive club.
“I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am to become a member of the Hall of Fame, it is something you really don’t think about,” Emory stated. “But when I got the phone call telling me I had been selected I was thrilled. It has been a long journey and words cannot express my gratitude.”
A 2004 graduate of Milford High School, Emory was a three year Letterman in football while playing offensive line. Emory also lettered two years in Lacrosse. In 2001, he was selected as the football team’s most improved player. In 2003 Emory was selected Milford offensive lineman of the year. Emory was also second team All-Conference as a senior.
Following graduation, Emory continued his education and football career at Salisbury University. “While I wasn’t a starter at Salisbury, I was still part of a very good football team,” said Emory. “It is really what I loved about football, being part of a team, a team that inevitably became a family.”
He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Public Affairs and Civil Engagement. A six time member of Dean’s List, Emory obtained his Master’s Degrees in Public Administration and Homeland Security.
Hunter was already a player when coach Mike Tkach arrived on the scene and Emory could sense the program was headed in the right direction. “When coach Tkach arrived, there was a new attitude, a new standard,” he stated. “I began to understand that there was more than one way to reach your goals. It really opened my eyes to what life could be all about.”
When asked about his favorite football memories, Emory said he had two of them. The first was winning The Battle of The Bell as a senior and being in the stands when Milford won The State Championship in 2008.
“Milford is unique, we are one of the few schools where everyone lives in the same town,” he commented. “We had been looked down upon for a very long time and to watch that team come together and have the swagger that they did, I was proud to know that my hometown had finally climbed the mountain.”
Emory is about service to the community as well. He is The Director at Large of Delaware Electric Cooperative. With his family entrenched in the community going back more than four generations, he feels a responsibility to give back to the community that gave him so much. The son of Pat and Judy Emory, who was a teacher in the Milford School District for over 20 years, Hunter lives in Lincoln with his wife Jamie and their two sons, Jake and Reece.
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