Mike Delmonico had a spectacular two-sport career for three years at Napa High School. As a football player, he played one year on the junior varsity team and two years on the varsity. He was a member of the 1971 co-championship team and contributed to the team’s success as a safety on defense, wide receiver on offense, and punt returner on special teams. In 1972, Delmonico was an All-North Bay League receiver. He caught 34 passes for 500 yards. He was a two-time Gold Helmet Award recipient. As impressive as Delmonico’s football statistics are, his baseball accomplishments are even greater. A three-year starter for the Indians as a shortstop and pitcher, Delmonico was All-North Bay League twice, NBL Player of the Year as a senior, co-captain of Napa’s co-championship team and Most Valuable Player on the team. He also led the NBL in hitting with a .441 average. According to his nominator, Delmonico still holds Napa High records for runs scored, hits and RBIs. After playing in the North-South Shrine baseball game in 1973, Delmonico was drafted by the California Angels, but chose a baseball scholarship to the University of New Mexico instead. He was a four-year letterman at New Mexico and gained All-Conference honors as a junior and senior in the very competitive Western Athletic Conference.
