University of Minnesota Athletics
"M" Club Hall of Fame
Delver Daly
Men’s Gymnastics, 1939-41
HOF Class of 2007
Only 11 Golden Gopher men gymnasts have captured an individual NCAA championship. Delver “Del” Daly was the first, and the Minneapolis native led Minnesota to top-five NCAA finishes in three consecutive national meets.
In 1939, Daly won the Big Ten flying rings, and at the NCAA meet captured his first All-America honor with third place in the high bar, helping Minnesota finish fifth in the nation.
In 1940, Daly paced the Gophers to their seventh Big Ten Championship, becoming only the sixth Minnesota gymnast to win the Big Ten all-around. Minnesota then placed third at the NCAA Championships.
Co-captain Daly wrapped up his career in 1941. The Gophers were runners-up at both the Big Ten and NCAA Championships. Daly, flying rings champion, added the national title and another All-America honor to his list of accomplishments,
He graduated with a degree in education, served in the Navy during World War II and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Daly taught physical education at St. Louis Park for 37 years, served as president of the St. Louis Park Federation of Teachers, and was inducted into the Minneapolis Edison High School Hall of Fame.