C. Alan Rowe and Joe Fields Inducted Into the MAC Hall of Fame

Former men's basketball coach C. Alan Rowe and former football center Joe Fields represented Widener as part of the second class into the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made today during the league's annual awards luncheon. It was at that same luncheon in which Kate Dellinger (Wrightsville, PA) from women's basketball and Kelsey Lake (Ijamsville, MD) from women's swimming were honored as their sport's MAC Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

Compiling 536 wins from 1965-98, Rowe is the winningest coach in school history in any sport. He coached Widener to the NCAA championship game in 1978, a second Final Four appearance in 1985 and 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament. Rowe also helped eight players to be named All-Americans, including present head coach Chris Carideo in 1995.

Widener won the Middle Atlantic Region of the NCAA Tournament three times and twice was ranked as high as second in the nation under Rowe's leadership.

Rowe's teams were among the nation's elite in points allowed, thanks to a stifling 1-3-1 zone defense. Widener was first in the country in points allowed in 1978, 1986 and 1987.

Fields had a solid three-year career at center from 1972-74, leading Widener to a 24-3 record and helping lay the foundation for the national championship teams. Thanks in large part to Fields, the 1973 team led the country in rushing offense despite him playing three games with a broken toe.

Like another coach on the field, Fields was called by head coach Bill Manlove in the 1974 Widener media guide the “finest center I've ever coached.” He was regarded by many during his time to be the Middle Atlantic Conference's premier center.

Fields in 2008 was inducted into Camden County Sports Hall of Fame along with Manlove. Two years later, Fields was placed on the ballot for the National Football League's 75 greatest draft choices of all time as he was picked in the 14th round by the New York Jets in 1975.

The MACs inaugural class last year witnessed two members of the College Football Hall of Fame, Bill Manlove and Billy “White Shoes” Johnson,” earn induction from Widener.

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