Myrvin DeLapp excelled in three sports and was a key member of a core of athletes who helped Macalester gain athletic prominence in the pre-World War II era. Arriving in St. Paul from Luverne, Minnesota, DeLapp was an important player on the freshman basketball team which was regarded as the best in the state and saw some varsity action on Macalester's first state championship team in 1936-37. He started the next three years at guard, along with classmate and fellow Hall of Famer Dick Butler, and earned second team all-conference honors as a senior.
The "Luverne Lancer" was also a standout halfback and safety on the football team. As a sophomore in 1937 DeLapp was named to the second team all-conference squad, helping new coach Dwight Stuessy take the first steps in turning the program around after the Scots had won just one game in each of the preceding five seasons. The Mac Weekly had raves for his performance: "One of the fleetest backfield men in the conference, Myrvin DeLapp has been doing more than his share of the ball carrying burden for the Macs. His passing is probably the one factor which has made Macalester a consistent threat in every game. . . . An all-around player, DeLapp was one of the best, his passes kept opponents worried a good share of the time."
As a junior DeLapp helped lead the 1938 team to a winning season and the following year the Scots won their final four games after starting out with a win, a loss and two ties.
DeLapp was also a key point-scorer on Mac's track and field team as a two-year lettermen. He ran on the 1937 mile relay team which set a conference record.
DeLapp has taught at Princeton Theological Seminary since 1963 and continuing into his retirement. He has also served as Director of Religious Education at the House of Hope Presbyterian Church, and as Area Secretary for the Division of Higher Education of the Presbyterian Church. DeLapp has received honorary degrees from Macalester and Illinois College.
