May 25, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - Former La Salle football coach Bill Manlove has been elected into the College Football Hall of Fame, The National Football Foundation, announced today. The class considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), Divisions II, III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) for induction. This year's class will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame during the Enshrinement Festival, July 15-16, in South Bend, Ind.

Manlove was named head coach of the Explorers prior to the 1997 season, helping restore the program that had been dormant since 1941. He coached five seasons on 20th and Olney, finishing with a 16-14 record over his final three years. He guided La Salle to a school record seven victories in 2000.

He coached a total of 33 seasons at Widener (1969-91), Delaware Valley (1992-95) and La Salle (1997-01), compiling a 215-111-1 record. He is 35th in college football history regardless of division in career winning percentage (65.9).

Manlove coached 23 seasons at Widener and guided the team to NCAA Division III championships in 1977 and 1981. He also was a part of 10 Middle Atlantic Conference championships, seven NCAA Tournament appearances and four undefeated regular seasons during his tenure.

He was involved with college football by being a part of NCAA Communications Committee, Football Rules Committee and Division III Football Committees. He was elected to the AFCA Board of Trustees in 1983 and served as the association's President in 1991. Manlove has also been ECAC Committee Chair and MAC President.

Manlove began his coaching career as an assistant at Gloucester City High School from 1957-59 before becoming head coach for five years. He moved to Oakcrest High School as head coach and was an assistant at Lafayette College from 1967-68 before taking the job at Widener.

Manlove graduated Haddon Heights High School in 1951 and enlisted with the U.S. Army. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1958 and his Master's in 1960 from Temple.

This is Manlove's third significant Hall-of-Fame enshrinement. He was inducted into the Camden County Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame one year later.

Linebacker Dexter Coakley (Appalachian State), center Mike Favor (North Dakota State), linebacker Charles Haley (James Madison), back Mickey Kobrosky (Trinity, Conn.) and coach Mike Kelly (Dayton) will be inducted along with Manlove.