Former Widener coach Manlove to enter Hall of Fame

Former Widener football coach Bill Manlove has been selected for induction to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Manlove will be the third person from Widener to receive the honor. Two-time all-American running back and kick returner Billy "White Shoes" Johnson was inducted as part of the Hall's first class in 1996, and three-time all-American defensive back and kick returner Tom Deery was enshrined two years later in the third class.

The ceremony will take place during the Enshrinement Festival, July 15-16 in South Bend, Ind. Manlove is one of six who will be honored in the Hall Divisional Class, which includes players and coaches from Divisions I-AA, II, III, and the NAIA.

Manlove coached 23 seasons at Widener, from 1969 to '91, and guided the team to NCAA Division III championships in 1977 and 1981. He also coached Widener to 10 Middle Atlantic Conference championships, seven NCAA tournament appearances, and four undefeated regular seasons.

Manlove, also the school's former director of athletics, is the program's winningest coach, with a 182-53-1 record for a .773 winning percentage. Widener was 9-5 in the NCAA tournament during his time and 2-0 in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III title game.

After Widener, Manlove coached at Delaware Valley College for four years and at La Salle for five years. He was 212-110-1 in 32 years as a collegiate head coach.

Manlove has also been inducted into the Camden County Sports Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.