by Shawn Nowlin
Roanoke’s own Delvis “Mac” McCadden is no stranger to making history. During the 1960s, he played a significant role in the first Black students desegregating Roanoke City Public Schools.
“I remember there were seven of us in junior high and we needed to take a test to be permitted into the school. At the time, we didn’t know why this was the case, but our parents certainly did. We took the test and all graduated. For our efforts, we became known as the ‘Magnificent Seven,’” he said.
A proud graduate of William Fleming High, McCadden attended the United States Academy before earning degrees from Radford University and Virginia Tech.
McCadden, a former city educator who mentored countless students over the years, has experienced many historic achievements, both professionally and personally.
Getting selected into one Hall of Fame is an amazing accomplishment in itself. McCadden is a member of three: the Salem-Roanoke Baseball Hall of Fame, the USA Boxing Alumni Hall of Fame, and the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association (USIBA) Hall of Fame.
Comprising the other individuals inducted into the inaugural USIBA Hall of Fame class are: Christine Le (University of California, Riverside), Sydney Luciano (Florida State University), Shelby Harrison (University of Illinois), Lara Drondoski (University of Florida), Kate Johnson (University of Michigan), Luke Runion (former USIBA President), Willie Ferrell (Florida A&M), Christopher Andrews (UC Riverside), Kevin Cryderman (Florida State University), Courtney Jackson (University of Miami), Robert Arias (University of Illinois), Kevin Bosma (University of Michigan) and Raul J. Muniz (Palm Beach State College).
Selection Committee Chair Theresa Her, Interim President and Coach of UC Riverside Joab Corey, and USIBA Athlete Rep from UTRGV Noe Mendoza made up the selection committee. Of all the inductees, McCadden received the greatest number of votes.
The ceremony occurred on the campus of VMI in late March. During the event, approximately 175 athletes from colleges and universities across the nation competed for team trophies and championship belts.
“Before serving as the Chief of Officials for USIBA, I worked as the Chief of Officials for amateur boxing in Virginia. My boxing officiating career began in 2009. Since then, I’ve officiated numerous USA Boxing matches and Olympics qualifiers,” he said.
While McCadden has loved many sports since he was a child, baseball has always been his favorite. “My father bought me a shortstop glove the day that I was born in 1950 and I still have it. My dad was a really good player in the Army and growing up, we regularly bonded over the sport,” he said.
Knowing all that he does today, if McCadden could give his younger self any advice, it would be to live in the moment more. “Life often happens so fast that it’s hard to truly appreciate everything all at once. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish and have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.”
