In an exclusive article published in the News Journal this week about the most influential Delawareans in seven categories, CRR Charlie Riordan was one of the 15 individuals highlighted as being most influential in science and technology.
Not just a runner, Riordan, who joined the University of Delaware faculty in 1997, “oversees the university’s research office, six university-wide research institutes, and ‘core’ facilities.” Under his leadership, “more than 1,500 faculty, staff, and students have been approved to return to their research work since early June. Riordan is an internationally renowned inorganic chemist” (and all-around nice guy).
Creek Road Runners congratulate him on this recognition.
For CRR Jim Fischer, it can seem like a bit of a redemption story, though not of his own choosing.
You see, Fischer had coached the University of Delaware’s DI men’s cross-country and track-and-field teams for three decades in his previous coaching life. That came to a gut-wrenching end in 2011, as UD erased its men’s running program over the course of three years while he was at the helm. Something about Title IX, despite all the good he was doing for the young athletes, most of whom happened to be great students as well.
Coach Fischer at a UD track meet in 2011
“It really hurt me,” Fischer admitted. “It was not only that that’s what I loved. It was also that it wasn’t a valued program to [the UD administration], and that hurt even worse.”
Well, after having had his job eliminated at UD, Fischer took positions with Delaware Technical & Community College and then Sanford School, respectively, before getting an opportunity with the Ursuline Academy—an all-girls’ school most famous for having produced WNBA superstar Elena DelleDonne. In the five years Coach Fischer has been at Ursuline, the school has won the past three girls Division II state cross-country titles, displacing the perennial juggernaut Tatnall School. Prior to his arrival, Ursuline hadn’t won that coveted state title since 1998.
Now, Coach Fischer has been honored as the 2020 Delaware Coach of the Year for these latest accomplishments, just another in a series of awards for one who is already a member of the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame.
A native of Minnesota, Coach Fischer has been a Creek Road Runner, as well as a member of the Pike Creek Valley Running Club, since coming on the scene in Delaware back in the ’80s. He has always been an advocate for running and racing and has for decades now been holding community workouts on Tuesday nights, helping runners of all abilities to improve and/or meet their goals.
Hearty congratulations, Coach, from Creek Road Runners!
CRR Avron Abraham, University of Delaware faculty director of the Center for Academic Success and University Studies and a faculty member in the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition, will assume the role as the University’s Faculty Athletic Representative, beginning in May 2020.
In this position, Abraham will become the the official voting delegate for the University on NCAA matters and works with UD’s Faculty Board on Athletics.
“I have served on the board for the past two years, where I have gained an appreciation of the time and effort that our student athletes invest to ensure their success both athletically and academically at the University of Delaware,” Abraham said. “It is my hope that, as the Faculty Athletic Representative working closely with the Faculty Athletic Board, we can help support our student athletes as they strive to meet their goals, both inside and outside the classroom.”
Abraham, who is not running anymore due to physical limitations, hosted Creek Road Runners’ once-upon-a-time-annual Lower Slower 10K social run.
CRR Stuart Binder-Macleod, a professor in the University of Delaware’s No. 1–nationally ranked physical therapy program, has received the institution’s highest faculty honor—the prestigious Francis Alison Faculty Award—for 2019.
The annual award recognizes faculty who best exemplify the qualities of “scholar-schoolmaster” embodied by the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, the founder of the school that eventually became UD. The honor includes a $10,000 prize, and all recipients are inducted into the Alison Society, which promotes academic excellence on campus.
During his 31 years at the University of Delaware, Binder-Macleod helped make UD’s physical therapy program among the best in the nation and he has been running out on Creek Road throughout these same years.
CRR Flora Poindexter has received one of the University of Delaware’s highest honors, the Excellence in Teaching Award. Poindexter, a senior instructor in languages, literatures and cultures, is one of only four to receive this award at UD in 2019.
Of her craft, Poindexter says, “Teaching is a true passion for me. I enjoy watching my students discover the French language and francophone culture. I try to make my classes as enriching as possible and I am constantly looking for new ways of teaching to different interests and learning styles. As an educator, my own learning is a crucial part of my practice.”
In addition to being a great French teacher, Poindexter likes to run longer distances, including half and full marathons.
CRR Roberta Golinkoff, one of the earliest members of Creek Road Runners, was also honored by the University of Delaware with the inaugural Faculty Excellence in Scholarly Community Engagement Award. Golinkoff, the Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Chair in the School of Education, was one of two individuals to be so honored.
A pioneer in research in young children’s learning, Golinkoff says, “It is amazingly gratifying to be recognized for my attempts to improve the lives of children and families around the world! The University has been a tremendous support for my efforts.”
Creek Road Runners congratulates both of them on their achievements!