Eddie Delaney Wins Maxwell Football Club Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award - UAlbany Sports 2012

Philadelphia, Pa. - University at Albany's Eddie Delaney has been named the winner of the Maxwell Football Club's Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award, as announced by the club's president, Ron Jaworski, on Wednesday afternoon. The Maxwell Football club has been presenting a Spirit Award since 2000, only in years when deemed appropriate. The award was re-named the Brookshier Award in 2010.

Delaney, a senior defensive end from Holtsville, N.Y., plays without a left hand and wears an insulin pump to control diabetes. An All-Northeast Conference Defensive First Team selection, Delaney made 54 tackles and led the Great Danes with 11.5 hits for a loss. He also established the program's FCS single-season record with 8.5 sacks.

In addition to excelling on the field, Delaney also devoted himself to numerous pursuits in the local community. He has taken a large role in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and has spoken to the Sugar Free Gang on several occasions, inviting the group to attend UAlbany football games. The Sugar Free Gang, established in 1989 at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y., actively involves children and their families as full partners with their health care providers in managing type 1 diabetes. Delaney, who developed many of his own workout and weight lifting plans, would like to work in the future to help create plans to help children overcome disabilities in the same way he did.

"This is a tremendous honor for Eddie and for the University," said UAlbany head coach Bob Ford, who led the Great Danes to the NEC Championship title and first FCS Tournament berth in 2011. "Eddie is a tribute to the sport of football and to UAlbany. He is a great role model for kids with disabilities and, in addition, he is a great football player."

The Brookshier Award was named after Tom Brookshier, who earned distinction as an All-Pro cornerback on the 1960 NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles. After a broken leg ended his playing career, Brookshier took to the broadcast booth, working three Super Bowls with longtime partner Pat Summerall. Brookshier passed away in January 2010, and the Maxwell Football Club re-named the Spirit Award in his honor. The award is presented only when deemed appropriate, to a member of the football community who best exemplifies extraordinary spirit in overcoming adversity or demonstrating service. The award was last given to Boston College's Mark Herzlich in 2009, and has also been presented to Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills (2008) and Tedy Bruschi of the New England Patriots (2005).

The Maxwell Football Club was established in 1935 in Philadelphia, Pa. The organization presents the Maxwell Award for the College Player of the Year. This award is presented in honor of Robert W. (Tiny) Maxwell, legendary college player, official and sports columnist.

The 75th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala will be held at the Harrah's Atlantic City Resort on March 2, 2012. The event is open to the public. Tickets may be purchased on the Maxwell Football Club website at www.maxwellfootballclub.org or by calling 215-643-3833.