Harold “Hoagie” Hoagland

WPHS Class of 1945

Sports writer, Coach, Historian

The late Harold “Hoagie” Hoagland, a lifetime Colonial School District resident, was often referred to as the number one fan for William Penn High School (WPHS). Hoagland graduated in 1945 from WPHS where he played baseball. After graduation Hoagland spent more than 50 years reporting on football, baseball, wrestling, and basketball at WPHS for the New Castle Weekly to which he submitted his handwritten articles to editors of the newspaper.He was known for his ability to remember stats, the history of WPHS sports, and athletes up until his death at the age of 82.

Hoagland also spent 30 years (1948-78) coaching youth basketball, and for 26 years he was the administrator for the Senior Little League Division II All-Star tournament play. During that time, his teams won three league championships. In 1962 his team won the first Delaware Senior League title and advanced to the national tournament in Harlin, Kentucky.He was inducted into the Delaware Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009, and he was a member of the Delaware Sportscasters and Broadcasters Association.

Hoagland worked for the Brosius Eliason lumber company for 41 years and was an active member of the New Castle Methodist Church for more than 60 years where he received the “Outstanding Evangelism” award for his faithful work delivering food to the shut-ins, and keeping the church’s emergency food closet stocked. His wife, Helen, was a former Colonial English teacher.